Narrative (INTERVIEW)

When my parents arrive last Saturday midnight (April 3), I immediately scheduled them for an interview early in the morning. It was 8:00 and we planned in going to mass at 9:00. I rushed to them and promised to finish the interview by 8:30. The picture that will be posted was a much later photo because they didn't want me to post pictures in our pajamas. Who would want that, anyway?

Interview Proper

1. How long have you been married?

Mom: 29 years

Dad: That's a year older than your Manang. :-)

2. How long is the courtship?

Mom: Ikaw na sumagot.

Dad: 3 years?

Manang: Tanungin mo ilang beses nanghiram ng libro si daddy.

3. How long were you in boyfriend/girlfriend stage?

Mom: 2 years ba, Dy?

Dad: 2 and a half years.

4. When did you get married?

Mom: We had a civil marriage first in October 22, 1982. Then we got married in the Church in December 31, 1982.

5. When do you celebrate your anniversary then?

Mom and Dad: The Church wedding is more important so as much as possible we celebrate it during December.

6. When did you have your first born child?

Mom: February 8, 1983

7. How are you both coping with married life?

Dad: Great. We are happy together, as a family.

8. What do you do to keep up with the happiness in your family?

Mom: Even though we might only see each other thrice a year, the most, we still make sure that we have an open communication with you and Manang.

Dad: Telephone bills might have skyrocketed at times.

Mom: When we go home, we try to do things together, like go to mass together and celebrate Holy Week together in the province.

9. What problems do you encounter in the relationship?

Mom: As much as possible, petty things shouldn't be entertained. Open communication is important in overcoming inevitable problems.

Dad: One time, we were stopped in the airport and we're asked by a staff (of the airport) to pay 12% of what we were carrying. We were asked to pay an additional 12% for the laptop. I immediately thought that the staff was only taking chances on us so I walked away and Mommy rushed and called my name but I walked away because I was so annoyed and I know that the staff was only bluffing her way out. I was right because we were still permitted to go out. The bottom line is there was a little misunderstanding between us but we managed to fix it right away.

10. Are you happy in choosing the married life?

Mom: We enjoy talking to you and Manang and we always find a way to laugh at difficult situations, especially Daddy.

Dad: We are more than satisfied in having this family and we will not have it changed for anything.