On my daughter's wedding day

IT IS that time again –

the last, at last! – to give

a daughter’s hand in marriage.

Self-made a tradition it has become

for this, the father of the bride,

to say his piece in poetic verse,

though unrhythmic, unmetered

is most often the case. 

Hence, as it was in 2004 with Majalia Krista, 

so, it was in 2009 with Maria Iona Katrina. 

So, shall it be today, finally, with Mia Maneekah.

Poignant – as in bittersweet –

memories of the kids we keep

that almost always come unleashed

only on the day of wedding bliss.

Remembering now, like it was but yesterday –

taking Mia by pedicab to kindergarten

memorizing – “The first part of our program

is a vocal solo by Ana Criselda G. Cortez.”

Her repetitive rote, from home to school, unbroken.

In early grade school she wanted to change her name –

to Henessy or Gwendolyn,

taken from some telenovela of early fame.

So, what was wrong with her given names?

Nothing with the Maneekah, she said.

But, the Mia stunk and smelled –

“Mia-tutan,” one naughty boy started to tease her.

Oh, how we laughed hearing this.

Ah, how she threw temper tantrums for it.

At the risk of being accused that Mia is my favorite –

which her siblings have openly suspected all these years –

dare I still say she has the sunniest disposition of all my kids.

Quick to dance at the drop of a beat; quicker to sing at whim.

In her girlhood, her song-and-dance routine –

“Open the door, get on the floor, everybody, walk like dinosaur…”

So much was the laughter the young Mia brought us.

Less – thank the Lord – were the pains, and fears.

As when at 5 she had trouble with her kidney

needing hospitalization at pricey UST.

Happening during the family’s most hungry years,

but by the grace of God, did we surpass this.

Speaking of fears, let me now disclose

that which, for the longest time, in my mind is poised:

Of Mia living her life in singlehood,

as a number of old maids

in both sides of the family did for good.

So, I thank you so much Raphael –

now that my foremost fear is allayed. 

Comes then this father’s fervent wish

For his dear daughter’s wedded bliss --

Mia, Raphael:

I pray – the Lord to bless and keep you in His care

For you to treasure every moment you share

For love to triumph over any heartbreak that come your way

For you to ever be happy as you are today.

But then, as marriage is not all moonlight and roses,

Having its full measure of dimness, of thorns and thistles.

So, you must in those unhappy times

Come back to this, your day of days

Refresh, revive, renew yourselves

And then –

Let go. Live love. Love life. Let God.

And your lifelong commitment to each other

Will be even stronger than ever.

The life we shared with you, remember too

And all the love your mom and I have for the two of you.