LOVE IN TIME OF COVID-19. The newlyweds, Daniel and Gracely Villafania-Catchillar, show their wedding rings after their nuptial ceremony on April 27, 2020 at a Kingdom Hall in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan. The couple tied the knot amid the pandemic and strict requirements due to the enhanced community quarantine in the province. (Photo courtesy of Lito Capua)
STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan – The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has forced several events to be canceled and postponed, yet a couple in Pangasinan defied the odds to tie the knot.
Daniel and Gracely Villafania-Catchillar wedded on Monday at the Kingdom Hall, a house of worship of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, in Barangay Poblacion Norte here amid the stringent requirements due to the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In an interview Monday, the newlyweds who are both Jehovah’s Witnesses said they cannot wait for the pandemic to be over since they already wanted to start living forever together, thus they proceeded with their wedding.
Daniel recalled the challenges they faced in preparing for their special day due to the existing extreme ECQ in the province.
“I am from Basista town while she lives in Sta. Barbara town, so we cannot regularly meet,” he said.
They were advised to postpone their wedding until the ECQ ends, but they opted to stick to the plan.
“Madaming adjustment po kasi naka prepare na lahat, kaso biglang nagkaganito (There were a lot of adjustments because everything was already set but then this happens),” Daniel said.
The couple secured all requirements and even permits for them to push through with the wedding.
In a permit issued by Sta. Barbara mayor Joel Delos Santos, they were required to strictly follow and observe protocols recommended by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Covid-19.
“Sinunod namin lahat ng dapat gawin example; kailangan naka-face mask kami, tapos physical distancing, tapos sanitation pa. Mahirap but it was worth it (We did everything asked of us like for example; we should wear face masks and to observe physical distancing and sanitation. It was difficult but it was all worth it),” he added.
With only eight people including their parents, a minister, two witnesses, and a photographer in the venue, they have exchanged their vows.
Daniel and Gracely met each other during a construction volunteer service of their church. They are both serving as full-time ministers and are both taking up part-time jobs to suffice their daily needs.
The couple’s story amid the Covid-19 pandemic is a testament to the Bible’s adage at 1 Corinthians 13 that “love always perseveres and never fails". (PNA)
