Why October 13, 1951?

Gil and Rebecca in 1969

Sometime in 1968 when I was then a third year student of La Carlota City High School, one afternoon, I had just finished attending my music class in the study hall when the rain began to fall. While all of my classmates rushed to the Science Hall building to take shelter for the study hall is open, no walls and only improvised board and benches were there, I was left all alone. In this solicitude, I noticed a girl of my age took shelter in the same place where I was stranded. I took a glimpse of the girl who was carrying some notebooks, books, and a magazine. To break the silence and being curious, I attempted to borrow the magazine from her. But before doing that, I took momentarily a deep, long breath while turning back from her to get rid of my nervousness. Just on time to get back to her, I found her gone unnoticed.

Rebecca and Gil in 2011

Predestined

Many days and months passed. When I was about to attend our Mathematics class in the extension building just across the back of the main building of the school, I saw the girl, whom I guessed the same girl I had seen lately in the study hall. She was heading toward me where I was standing. I spotted a magazine from her hand and what a coincidence the same magazine she had last time I first met her. Meeting her again I was brightened up for she was with my neighbor, Mila Tapales. I greeted Mila hello with a little shame. I bargained with Mila if she could request her companion to let me borrow her magazine. Assured by Mila that we were neighbors and nothing will happen to her magazine, the girl lent it to me. Alas! We were not introduced to each other for both of us were in a hurry to catch with our classes.

Mysterious Girl's Name

At home while reading the borrowed magazine, I was bothered by the question why that girl was reluctant to lend me her magazine, the Philippine Journal of Education. Anything mysterious? Unique? To find the answer, I read everything from the magazine cover to cover. Nothing was unsual inside the magazine except a hand written name vertically in one of the inner edges of the magazine. The name was Rebecca Demabildo. Without so much ado and again for curiosity’s sake, I wrote her a letter, frankly telling her to be my friend, a nice friend. Next school day, I gave back the magazine with a letter in it through the girl's classmate Mila.

Save by the Bell

Our present big happy family

The most intriguing, momentous time came. While I was walking along the porch of the Science Hall, my attention was called by Rebecca, waving her hand telling me to come over. She was sitting on a circular concrete bench beneath the mango tree. Tongue-tied as I was, I came and sat beside her. She told me that she had read my letter. She reasoned out why should I send her a letter when we were both in the same school and meeting each other was not a problem. Secretly I glanced at her and it was almost 15 minutes to regain my composure. While I was about to open my mouth to talk the bell for the next class period rang. What a relief from the unexpected ordeal! I sighed.

Why Brief Friendship?

A month had passed. Our friendship did not last long. We were no longer friends, but lovers. It was February, when I gave her a simple but meaningful Valentine card. The quickness of going steady as lovers was as quick as to break up for us. This happened when I jokingly told her that my birthday is October 13. Unexpectedly she got angry with me. With no explanation, she had left me with a hurting word. She left me as helpless as a kitten on a tree. "Is there something wrong I have said to her? On my birthday? I wondered. From then on, she could not be seen by me. She kept on hiding from me. Feeling lonely, broken-hearted, I kept on searching her from all the corners of the school. I even asked her classmates and friends of her whereabouts, but to no avail.

Moment of Truth!

Well, a month later, I thought for myself that just in case I would be seeing her again, I would have to show my birth certificate to her to prove her that I am not fooling her. What a favorable occasion, we met at the Mabolo tree just across the La Carlota City College, situated within the high school campus. As planned, I presented the document to her and likewise she also presented her birth certificate me. What a surprise! Both of us had the same birthday – October 13, 1951. Well, we were happy and were reconciled. What happened? Well, from birth certificate to marriage certificate 4 years later.

The Fruit of Our Faithful Marriage

Now we have six wonderful grown up children out of 39 years of successful and happy marriage. We know the Lord has made us as husband and wife for we were made for each other! (As of posting time, October 13, 2011, Rebing and I are celebrating our 60th birthday)