Pinay mom parenting her Caucasian/Filipino daughter in suburban America.
50 Years and Counting
As a tribute to my parents, on their 50th Wedding Anniversary.
February 3rd, fifty years ago, a country lass 
and a city boy 
stood in front of a Justice of the Peace and said vows to each other that will bind them to a lifetime together. The lass, at 22, was rescued from the throes of spinsterhood. The boy, at 21, was taking over the family business and now ready to take on the responsibility of his own family.
With help from his parents, the city boy and the country lass settled in the growing industrial/commercial section of Caloocan City, a suburb just outside of Manila, Philippines. The city boy started his own business, a repair shop, which later on turned into Simplex Engineering, a thriving machine shop that provided apprenticeships and jobs to 20-30 young men. (To the city boy’s credit, a few of these young men had gone on and opened their own successful machine shop businesses.)
As he was growing his business, the city boy was also growing his family. Nine months after they were married, the country lass gave birth to Virgilio. Less than two years later, Gracia. Almost two years later again, Victor. Then, Vilma, 21 months later after that. And finally, Virginia, another 21 months after. Five kids was what they planned on and five kids was what they had.
For eleven years.
Then came Valerie.
Family was complete.
For this generation. And then…
Virgilio begot Eleanor and Vince. Eleanor begot Ajdin. Vince begot Tyler.
Gracia begot Giuseppe and Anamaria.
Victor begot Judith and Joshua.
Vilma begot Mary.
Virginia begot Richard and Dianne.
50 Years begot Six Children, Nine Grandchildren, Two Great-grandchildren and a lifetime of memories.
And Counting…
“There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One is roots; the other, wings.” - Hodding Carter.
53 Responses to “50 Years and Counting”
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Welcome!
Mary is my "I'm Not a Baby!" daughter and this is my blog about her and our life in suburban America. Parenting tales, our travels and travails, forays into great and not-so-great restaurants, kitchen adventures--- all chronicled with as much photos as you can stand. Comments are very much appreciated --- let me know you dropped by! Thank you.
Connie
February 2nd, 2008 at 5:14 pm
What a lovely story of real love and commitment. Many more happy years together! Happy Anniversary
Donna
February 2nd, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Happy Anniversary from Texas!
Jack Bergstrom
February 2nd, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Congratulations on 50 years together! I wish you many more years of happiness and I am grateful always for your daughter Vilma, my wife, and my daughter, your grandaughter, Mary Esther. I look forward to meeting you both in person. Best Wishes…Jack Bergstrom
Gretchen
February 2nd, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Happy Anniversary Wishes from Washington!
Karla
February 2nd, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Congratulations! I inspires me to know there are many unions out there that last. It gives us single people hope that it is still possible. All the best!
And thanks, Vilma, for including me in this
KK aka Tina
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Congratulations po! Happy Golden Anniversary to your parents from Maryland!
!
Wishing them happy returns of the day with more apos
Vilma, thanks for invite
!
Ronnica
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:15 pm
50 Years…impressive! Congratulations!
HRH
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Congratulations! What an inspiration. What a beautiful family. We recently celebrated the 50th Anniversary of my in-laws and my parents will in another 2 years so we know first hand what a blessing to your children you are. Best wishes from Texas.
MarysMom
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Happy 50th, Mom and Dad! Wish we could be with you to celebrate this most special day. Mary sends her love, too.
Audrey
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Happy 50th! My husband and I are looking forward to celebrating our 3rd, and we hope to be just as happy and fortunate as you are on our 50th. Cheers!
Joyce
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Sincere congratulations to you both on your 50th wedding anniversary. What a beautiful tribute your daughter has put online for all of us to admire and emulate! Congratulations!!!
Cynthia Armistead
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Congratulations! It’s so good to hear about such a great couple and family
Jennic
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Wow 50 years. Congratulations! Wishing you many many more happy years. All the way from Iowa (That’s in the middle of nowhere with lots of corns, and us).
MomOnTheGo
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Congratulations. What a lovely family and family story. 50 years together and counting, what a great accomplishment. Best wishes from Ottawa, Canada.
From Your Youngest Apo - Sweet Life With Mary
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:20 pm
[…] 50 Years and Counting […]
Chrissy
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Congratulations on 50 wonderful years and a family full of love. This story reminds me of my grandparents. They were married for 52 years, had 5 children, 9 granchildren, and now there are 4-1/2 great-grandchildren. Wishing you the best from me in Colorado and from my family in Tennessee.
Sandy (Momisodes)
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:54 pm
What a beautiful family and true accomplishment- 50 years! Congratulations and many warm wishes from Boston, Massachusetts (USA)!!!
tommie
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Congratulations on 50 years! Best wishes from Texas.
Margaret
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Happy Anniversary from Houston Texas! My husband and I were married in October, of 2007. You give us something to strive toward!
Val
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Hi mom and dad! I wish you more happiness everyday and that I wish for me to be there on your day but I can’t. But my heart is always there and I cannot say much in words how much I love u both and how fortunate I am to be your youngest. I love you both with all my heart and looking forward to coming home this april! I miss you!
Seeing your picture from 50 years back made me realize why I like “singkit” guys. hahahaha… Love u both.
Your 6th kid,
valerie
http://www.valventuresindubai.blogspot.com
barnmouse
February 2nd, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Aww! Such a wonderful family! Happy 50th Anniversary!!!! My parents just celebrated their 30th and my husband and I have just celebrated our 7th. Only 43 more years to go!
Gina
February 2nd, 2008 at 10:34 pm
happy 5oth wedding anniversary mom n dad. Ang bilis ng panahon parang kailan lang maliliit pa kami. Pero ngayon meron na rin kaming sariling pamilya. Sana maabot din namin ang 50th anniversary. Love you so much n take care, have many more years to come.
Lee E. [Doc] Frankin
February 2nd, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Congratulations on your 50th anniversary, and also for your very special family! Your daughter and Jack and Mary have
been a joyful addition to my life, and the beginning of many interesting and rewarding adventures. I hope to meet you some day!
Best Personal Regards from a Kansas Rancher,
Doc Franklin
Lala
February 2nd, 2008 at 10:36 pm
happy 50th wedding anniversary lolo vic n lola mer. I love you!
Rach
February 2nd, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Happy 5oth wedding anniversary lolo vic n mama mer. We miss you. Take care n god bless you.
Rik & Gina
February 2nd, 2008 at 10:45 pm
happy 5oth wedding anniversary mom n dad. Sana nga nandiyan kami para sama-sama tayong magcelebrate pero bago lang po kami dito sa Canada kaya hindi pa po kami puwedeng umuwi. We miss you so much n love you.
Greetings from Calgary, Canada
your 5th kid,
Gina
Leah
February 2nd, 2008 at 11:58 pm
What a great story! Happy anniversary to your parents.
Manisha
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:55 am
What a great post on a special day! Congratulations to Mary’s Granma and Granpa on their 50th wedding anniversary from Louisville, Colorado!! I wish you many more years of bliss!!
Weekly Winners - Sweet Life With Mary
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:23 am
[…] 50 Years and Counting […]
raqgold
February 3rd, 2008 at 4:15 am
happy anniversary from germany
Ging
February 3rd, 2008 at 4:15 am
Hi Mom & Dad… happy 50th anniversary from your adapted daughter, Ging. Your story is very inspiring and I know that you have also brought up your kids very well, particularly my bestfriend, Steeve. Jerry & I are also celebrating our anniversary, but we are just in our 20th year. We are always praying that we will also reach 50 years and beyond. God bless you always and may you have more anniversaries to come. Hey, Steeve, thanks for reminding me. Regards to Jack and Mary.
Rhea
February 3rd, 2008 at 4:34 am
Hi po Mom & Dad! (hehe) this is truly a milestone event! you are so blessed to reach this momentous in your life, still loving each other, and having a well grounded family at that!
Happy Golden Anniversary!!!
Rhea
(friend ni Val)
Lydia
February 3rd, 2008 at 7:05 am
Lovely family. I enjoyed all the pictures in the matching outfits! Very charming. Congratulations on your commitment to family.
Kellie
February 3rd, 2008 at 7:37 am
What a beautiful story!!
Happy Anniversary from NY State!!
VicVer
February 3rd, 2008 at 7:46 am
Mer & I thank everyone for the greetings and good wishes!
We send our warmest regards to one and all and would like to share in spirit all the good fortune God blessed us with in all the years gifted to us in this world.
Thank you again! God bless you!
LB
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:32 am
Happy Anniversary Wishes from Oklahoma!
God Bless!
Nadine
February 3rd, 2008 at 9:19 am
Happy Anniversary from the Washington State. What a lovely tribute.
Rebecca
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:11 am
Happy anniversary from Washington, DC! Such a beautiful tribute.
Ashley
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:26 am
Congratulations! Happy Anniversary from St. Louis, MO! What a beautiful story. Heres to many more years!
Katie
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:29 am
Congratulations on 50 years! What a sweet story. From somone who has only been married 5 months………50 years seems like a dream! This is inspirational, though!
Rachel
February 3rd, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Happy 50th Anniversary from Tennessee! I wish you many many more!!!
Marylin
February 3rd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
congratulations! Happy 50th Anniversary from Scotland
I hope you have many more to come!
COMomma
February 3rd, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Happy 50th from Southern Colorado!!! Congratulations!
Sarcastic Mom
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:05 pm
50 Years of Marriage is an amazing accomplishment. Something to be proud of, indeed.
Thank you for being an example to others, in a time when people find it so easy to divorce instead of working through the hard times that are inevitable in life and marriage!
I wish you both the very best for the rest of your lives in love together.
God Bless you and Happy Anniversary!
mp
February 4th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Congratulations!!! 50 Years is a wonderful anniversary. I wish you both many many more!
Love MP, St Louis, MO USA
John
February 4th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Greetings from Beaverton, Oregon and congratulations on your golden wedding anniversary. Very sweet and inspiring love story. Wishing you long life and great health. And thanks for offering your home during the group study times almost 25 years ago with Steeve…
Elaine
February 4th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
50 Years!!! What an inspiration for all of us! Sincere congratulations on a wonderful life and a loving family!
Doug
February 4th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Congrats on your 50th.You are,in this day and age,
a statistical anomaly!It’s snowing here in Denver…
Amy
February 4th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Happy Anniversary and congratulations. Many many more to come!
bonniebeth
February 5th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Happy anniversary from Louisiana!!
Thanks for letting us share in your celebration.
Lennie
February 5th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Happy Anniversary! How appropriate that I leave the 50th response! We only wish we were there to celebrate! While we were unable to make it for the party, please know that our hearts and thoughts are with you always. I miss you and love you so very much! Lennie. I promise, we will see you soon– it has been too long!
chuck
February 5th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Well, how gr8 - congrats on your 50th!
Vannie
February 19th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
lovely story vilma
added you already in my blog.
have a great day!
tc