Look! Inspiring Couple From Sultan Kudarat Celebrates 50th Wedding Anniv This Valentine’s Day

Amid stories of cheating partners and broken marriage vows that have peppered our social feeds lately, here comes an inspiring story that will make you believe in love once again.

Today, on Valentine’s day, 73-year old Maximina Dawa Gersava and 72-year old Alfredo Gersava Sr., of Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao, are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

They were wed on February 14, 1972 and are blessed with 11 children, 10 of which are still living.

Recently, in a post on Smart Parenting Village, their 10th child Rose Gersava Villamor, shared the ‘nakaka-kilig’ pre-anniversary photos of Maxima and Alfredo that have since gotten over three thousand reactions and comments from community members.

The photos show Rose’s parents against the beautiful backdrop of Sitio Gumban, Sultan Kudarat Province with its endless green fields, highlighting the couple’s simple farm life.

“Ang pagsasaka ang bumuhay sa pamilya namin at hanggang ngayon ay 'yun pa din ang libangan ng aming mga magulang,” shares Rose in an exclusive Smart Parenting interview.

She adds that Nanay Maximina is a labandera, farmer and housewife, while Tatay Alfredo is a “kaingin” farmer.

“Sa 50 years na magkasama sila, halos lahat ng mga memories na kanilang nabuo ay nasa farm kaya gusto naming ma-cherish yung 50 golden years na magkasama sila by capturing how they live their everyday lives together, mula paggising hanggang sa pagtulog na puno ng pagmamahal.”

Rose adds that the photoshoot also aims to promote local farmers and support their produce.

“Gusto din naming ma-capture ang reality na meron kami as a family: proud farmers at kasali ang kalikasan sa aming araw-araw na pamumuhay. We hope na sa pamamagitan ng photoshoot na ito ay mas ma-appreciate pa ang mga magsasaka at ma-encourage ang mga tao na tangkilikin ang kanilang mga produkto.”

The secret to an enduring marriage

Like many couples, Nanay Maximina and Tatay Alfredo went through rough times in their marriage. But Rose shares that their conscious effort to understand each other, pulled them through their worst years.

“Isa sa mga sikreto ng kanilang pagsasama ay ang concious effort na unawain ang isa’t-isa,” shares  Rose. “Sobrang opposite ng kanilang personality at nag-aadjust parin sila araw-araw, pero hindi nila ito sinukuan. At mas nangingibabaw always ang pagmamahal kaysa ano mang mga hindi pagkakaintindihan.”

One of their toughest challenges as a couple was raising their children well despite their poverty. Despite being humble farmers with meager income, the couple was able to feed their children and send them all off to school. 

“Isang halimbawa ng pagsubok na kanilang nalampasan ay nuong nagkasakit ang buong pamilya ng Malaria na halos mamatay na ang lahat sa kanila,” reveals Rose. 

“Nag su-survive nalang sila sa lugaw at mainit na tubig dahil malayo sa kabihasnan ang kanilang lugar. Ang pinakamalapit na health center ay mahigit tatlong oras pa ang lalakarin. Ngunit ito ay nalampasan nila at mas lalong nagpatibay sa kanilang pagsasama.”

Aside for grit and resilience, Nanay Maximina and Tatay Alfredo’s faith, as well as their teamwork, helped them rise above their circumstances. 

“Their faith in God, I think 'yun 'yung foundation ng relationship nila kaya hindi mahirap sa kanila ang humingi ng tawad at magpatawad kapag may differences,” shares Rose about the best lesson she has learned from her parents. 

“Kahit na 'asin danom' [asin at tubig] na lang ang ulam namin, hindi sila sumusuko. Sinasabi pa rin ng dad ko, 'God will provide'".

She also shares that as years went by, Nanay Maximina and Tatay Alfredo’s respect for each other only grew stronger. “Yung respeto nila sa isat-isa super consistent, never sila nag-aaway sa harap naming magkakapatid. They’re always a team, sa mga house chores, work, decision making, solving problems, evident yung teamwork nilang dalawa.”

Rose takes these lessons to heart as she and husband Blue raise their two children while managing a social enterprise that helps the marginalized.

Teaching “gentle parenting” by example

“Before ko pa na-encounter yung term na “gentle parenting”, na realize ko 'yun 'yung approach ni mama samin,  at 'yun 'yung parenting style na gusto kong sundin,’ shares Rose.

She points out, “Natuto kaming maghanapbuhay ng maaga, natuto kaming maging independent sa mga gawaing bahay at dumiskarte para makapag-patuloy ng pag-aaral. Nagpursige sila na paaralin kami kahit isang kahig, isang tuka lang kami noon kasi naniniwala silang yun ang makakaahon sa amin sa kahirapan”.

We asked Nanay Maximina and Tatay Alfredo: Sa tagal ng inyong pagsasama, may mahihiling pa po ba kayo sa isa’t-isa?

To which, Nanay Maximina replied, “Ang tanging mahihiling ko ay kalusugan ng aking asawa, mga anak at apo.”

Tatay Alfredo said, “Ang tanging nais ko ay patuloy na pananampalataya ng aking mga anak at apo upang magsama-sama kami sa Paraiso kapiling ang Diyos balang araw.”

Congratulations Nanay Maximina and Tatay Alfredo on your enduring love and inspiring story!