'Sana all': Couple celebrates 70 years of marriage amid pandemic
MANILA, Philippines — In modern times, it's difficult to find a love story that rivals those in movie scenes.
Breakups left and right, divorces here and there, sometimes it becomes grueling to find a glimmer of hope that love truly lasts a lifetime.
But Jose “Piping” and Raymunda “Diding” Ortega, who celebrate their 70th year of marriage, are a shining beacon to what a partnership can become when you're with the right person.
Piping, 92, and Diding, 89, were married October 13, 1951, at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila.
And since then, they have raised nine children, seven daughters and two sons — all have grown up to be successful on their own.
Philstar.com sat down with members of the Ortega family to find out just how the couple have stood strong all these years.
A partnership tried and tested by time
A relationship has many ups and downs, and one that has lasted seven decades is abundant with them.
While the idea of “happy ever after” sounds enticing, it is sometimes not a reality.
The same can be said for Piping and Diding who have had a number of difficulties of their own; after all, a lower middle class family raising nine children isn’t easy.
But according to their eldest daughter Susan, who currently cares for the elderly couple along with three other sisters, the hardships became the building blocks of their relationship.
“Pareho silang hardworking, [they're] good providers,” Susan said.
“Kesa sila bumibili ng gamit nila, pinoprovide nila 'yung para sa amin,” she added.
Diding was a stenographer in the Regional Trial Court in Quezon City Hall, while Piping worked as an area manager in the ports of Manila. But with nine mouths to feed, life had been more than a grind.
Susan said that her parents always kept their heads down, and always found a way to keep food on the table and their kids in school.
Their no-nonsense partnership thus inspired their children to do the same.
“Kaya rin kami nagsikap na maghanap-buhay,” said Susan.
Piping and Diding also maintained a great relationship, not only with each other, but also with their offsprings.
Raising a child is already a tall task, and having nine is an uphill struggle but their eighth child, Tessa, said there were no problems growing up in the large household mostly due to their parents.
“May partnership kasi sila, hindi sila 'yung competitive. Wala,” Tessa said.
“Hindi mo rin mafefeel na mas mahal 'yung isa or mas privileged 'yung isa. Ang dami dami namin pero walang ganu'n,” she added.
Now, as their family has grown with five in-laws, 13 grandchildren, four grandchildren in-laws and four great grandchildren, the virtues have stuck.
Inspiring the next generation in love
Piping and Diding’s love story has been an inspiration to those who know them, and their grandchildren, who have grown old enough to start families of their own, are no different.
Bearing witness to the union of their Lolo and Lola, the family’s next generation picked up a lot of lessons on love and in married life.
“They put God in the center of their relationship. Sabi nga nila, when you let God take over, everything will fall into place,” said Sarah, the fourth-eldest among Piping and Diding’s grandchildren.
“It’s not easy to take care of a big household but they’ve been doing it for 70 years,” she added.
Sarah is married to her husband Jet for 10 years now. They currently have a seven-year-old child and another on the way.
Newly married granddaughter Sylvia, 31, also mirrored the same sentiments as Sarah and said that she and her husband Nick have learned that same lesson.
“The success of their partnership is their faith in God, which they passed on to their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren,” she said.
And as the old saying goes, "Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa," granddaughter-in-law Fridee, married to grandson Patrick for 12 years with two daughters, also acknowledged Piping and Diding’s own work in making their marriage a success.
“They have complete trust, understanding and accept and love each other despite all flaws, [that is] is paramount to a lasting relationship,” she said.
Celebrating love in the new normal
As the decades had passed, Piping and Diding had no shortage of celebrations during their milestone anniversaries.
Usually decked out in evening gowns, tuxedos and barongs, the Ortega family commemorated their love with spectacular parties in hotels.
But now, as the COVID-19 pandemic rolls on, the family has been forced to adapt and tone down its celebrations.
Relying on online platforms like Zoom, Piping and Diding bring their milestone to the virtual world with online religious ceremonies and a virtual concert.
Despite the subdued occasion, family and friends are what make it complete, and not the glamorous celebrations.
“What is important is togetherness, and being grateful to the Lord. That’s what we shouldn’t forget… The rest, the parties and the hotels, are just freebies,” said Corazon, one of their daughters.
“We’re forever grateful to be part of this family,” she said.
Note: Author is a grandchild of Piping and Diding Ortega. Luisa is the second-youngest grandchild of the couple.
