Senator Alan Peter Cayetano utilized the power of social media to share some lessons about marriage as he and his wife, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.
In a Facebook post, Alan reflected on the Bible verse Genesis 2:24 which says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
For Alan, marriage “has a divine purpose.”
“In the center of marriage is GOD!,” he wrote. “We commit at the start of the marriage to listen to each other. There is hardly any mention of the word “submission” or to submit. But as the honeymoon becomes yesterday, today becomes a battle of wills (everyone who is married understands, more so those married to strong-will superwomen).”
“Truth! We do have to submit! To each other, well it’s complicated! To GOD, [it’s pure and simple!] That’s why prayer and devotion time, [learning] GOD’S WORD [is essential],” the ‘CIA with BA’ co-host elaborated. “The more you love the stronger the passion and emotion, thus stronger disappointment, frustration, and negative emotions when disagreement presents itself or abounds!”
He also shared a few tips that might help those who are getting married in the near future.
“Have a person who loves GOD and [loves] you as a couple as a ‘ninong or ninang,’” he said. “He/She will be an indispensable part of your marriage and life.”
Secondly, Alan recommended couples to “have practical rules.”
“Like no raising of voices, no painful comments. Don’t go to bed arguing! Don’t argue in front of other people,” he specified. “Tip: discuss these rules at the start of your relationship or if married na, Asap! Listen to each other. Iba “Hugot” and experience ng bawat isa. Meaning we interpret things differently.”
Lastly, Alan stressed the importance of “honor and respect.”
“Love as an emotion is not enough. Without honor and respect, kulang na love yun. Practice honoring and respecting your spouse,” he noted.
On the phrase ‘one flesh’ from the said Bible verse, he detailed: “Kaya one flesh.. joy niya, joy mo. Pain niya, pain mo. Kaya ‘pag siya [ay] in pain, in pain ka din. ‘Pag ikaw in pain, in pain din siya.”
“Learn this early or learn it the hard way. Learn it together. Learn it while submitting to GOD!” he said.
Concluding his post, he reminded his followers: “Remember [walang] perfect. We learn from others, our own mistakes, from testimonies. Above all from THE WORD OF GOD!”