First Lady Louise ”Liza” Araneta-Marcos shared three marriage tips, which she learned from being married to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for almost 30 years, with 2,023 couples who joined a historic mass wedding at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds on Saturday, March 11.
Mrs. Marcos, who was the guest of honor at the mass wedding officiated by Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez, said she and the president will be celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary on April 17.
“I don’t need to tell you that each couple is unique. There’s no magic formula which will make a marriage work a hundred percent,” she said.
But she was sharing three lessons she learned from her marriage, the First Lady said.
First she said a couple should make sure the courtship continues.
“Try and have a regular date night with your spouse. It doesn’t have to be anything grand. Have a quiet dinner at home and talk about things past. What’s important is that you spend quality time with your better half,” she said.
Second, take care of each other, she added.
“Be your spouse’s biggest supporter and most ardent advocate. There will always be ups and downs in your lives. But knowing that your spouse will look out for you and will be there for you when you’re feeling down will go a long way. Together, you will be able to weather any storm,” she said.
And lastly, she said “Remember the saying, ‘happy spouse, happy house’. As much as possible, stop fighting. Try to make your home a happy haven for you and your loved one.”
“There is nothing more important than the bond between a husband and wife. Choosing a spouse is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. This is because as you grow older, your spouse will have the most influence on your personal growth. That person will be your partner, confidante, worst critic, best friend and your biggest cheerleader in the world,” she also pointed out.
Mrs. Marcos told the couples as they embark on the beginning of the rest of their lives, she and the president wish them all the best.
The mayor, who officiated the mass wedding, said “today is all about nothing but happiness because the happiness of marriage is one of the highest forms of happiness on earth”.
Benitez told the couples: “This is not the day that you marry the person you can live with. Today is the day you marry the person you can’t live without. You are here not just to make a commitment of togetherness but also of forgiveness, thoughtfulness and faithfulness. Your yes means a decision to sacrificially love your spouse, to do what is best to keep that love alive and kicking”.
The mass wedding was joined by the mayor’s wife, Dominique Lopez Benitez, son Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya, and the city councilors.*