22 couples renew vows, plant trees

CEBU, Philippines — Jose and Jayne Abella have been married for 20 years and vowed to keep the flames of love burning until eternity.

They were among the 22 couples from Cebu who renewed their marital vows yesterday.They affirmed their commitment to let their relationship grow and nurture to eternity or as what it was fondly coined - to eterni-tree.

The eterni-tree represented the couples' growing of young plants that embodied their renewal of commitment to love each other and to care for the environment for the rest of their lives.

The Abella couple was joined by their four children during the momentous event at the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus along D. Jakosalem Street in Cebu City. After the ceremony, all couples were given a seedling to plant at the Archbishop Palace compound.

In an interview with The FREEMAN, Jayne said the event was a blessing for them since June 20 was also their 20th wedding anniversary and it was already their third renewal of vows.

"We were quite amazed because June 20 is also our wedding anniversary… Our 20th wedding anniversary is even made more meaningful because we are celebrating this with the other couples who are participating in the eterni-tree activity. We are so grateful to the Lord," she said.

Jayne said the renewal of vows is very important because it signified their "reaffirmation of the sacramental grace from the Lord."

Jayne said through marriage, partners are also called to take care of the environment.

"This activity is so symbolic but the most challenging and opt way is to contribute every day in the best way that we can and we would like to tell it to our children. We want to teach our children," she said.

The yearly activity is part of the Cebu Archdiocese's initiative for the observance of Philippine Environment Month this June. It was spearheaded by the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on Environmental Concern (CACEC).

Apostolic Nuncio Emeritus of Korea Archbishop Osvaldo Padilla officiated the renewal of vows. He urged all the couples to make the Earth livable for their children and the next generations to come.

He said it is important to renew their commitment not only for each other but also to reaffirm their responsibility to preserve and protect God's creation. — FPL (FREEMAN)