By Miriam G. Desacada
In a world dominated by political division and self-interest, Biliran Provincial Board Member Roselyn Espina-Paras stood out as a champion of love, and equality for her constituents in a profound show of compassion and understanding to their needs.
It started when she learned that in her town of Naval, there are many living-in couples, either unmarried or had civil marriage only, who forego the dream of a Church wedding because of its prohibitive costs and focus instead to the daily grind of family survival of making ends meet.
For Roselyn, the female legislator, it was a heartrending picture of a couple in a household, which she vowed not to ignore. Her sense of empathy triggered her desire to do something with the commitment to uplift the lives of these people.
Roselyn—the elder sister of Biliran Rep. Gerardo “Gerryboy” Espina, and aunt of Biliran Governor Gerard Espina—had this personal conviction not to disregard these underprivileged couples continue living together without the chance of getting married in church.
Roselyn, citing also the month of March as International Women’s Month, said it is always the dream of women like herself of walking the sacred aisle in Church matrimony rites, thus, she was determined to make this women’s aspiration a reality.
She was not particular of the demands of the law, but she just wanted to see the happiness of couples bestowed with the sacrament of matrimony and divine blessings, which she said were deprived of them due to financial constraints.
She decided to do a first in Biliran, an act of a first-term legislator, and a female at that. The public announcement came out: “Kasalan sa Simbahan, Handog ni Board Member Roselyn Espina-Paras,” for which she invited interested couple of getting into the formal union, as she will underwrite the expenses of Church wedding rites, the couples’ attire, as well as the gifts and wedding banquets.
Political links were an absolute no-no as all living-in couples were made to decide for themselves if they are going to avail of the unique offer of the PB member. They just have to volunteer themselves to her office and comply, of course, with the documentary requisites of a Church wedding.
After a given period, a total of 24 couples, from various barangays of Naval, got themselves listed to be married in Church, under the aegis of the Roselyn’s initiative. The grand stage of that momentous event was set for them on March 23, and finally the first mass Church wedding was held at the Cathedral in her hometown of Naval, the provincial capital of Biliran.
At 9:00 a.m. the historic simultaneous wedding rites of 24 couples was held in a grandiose setting, with the cathedral interior bedecked with magnificent display of white flowers everywhere. Roselyn and her husband walked ahead on the gorgeous green carpet as they towed to the altar the parade of happy couples with their parents and chosen sponsors (godparents).
Each of the ecstatic couple were radiant in their attire—the grooms in their barongs and the brides in white gowns—as they declared their marital vows during that momentous event of their lives, witnessed by their families and the public.
The euphoric faces of the wedded couples were evident. One couple shared to the media their gratitude to PBM Roselyn, whose sincere and unconditional motherly love for them, made the wedding happen and realized a woman’s dream of being a bride, despite economic limitations in their family.
After the grand ceremonies and the pictorials, each wedded couple rode on elaborately decorated trisikads (pedal-driven tricycles) towards the reception area or banquet venue—gym of the Biliran Province State University (BIPSU), formerly the Naval State University—where wedding gifts were also distributed.
During the banquet, one observer on the sidelines, who claimed to be apolitical but asked not to be named, made a lengthy comment in Bisaya, truncated to mean that Roselyn’s act of kindness resonates deeply with the essence of public service, which is serving the marginalized and providing avenues for joy and togetherness.
He added that Roselyn shows that she is a visionary leader whose Kasalan initiative not only united couples in matrimony but also served as a symbol of solidarity within the community. It uplifted the lives of those in need and promoted equality among her people, he further said.
In a talk with media reporters during the occasion, Roselyn admitted: “When I heard stories of couples postponing their weddings indefinitely due to financial constraints, I knew I had to do something. Every couple deserves the opportunity to celebrate their love and commitment, regardless of their economic status.”
Some relatives of the newly wed remarked that Roselyn, despite her being born and raised in fortunate beginnings, chose to live her life like walking in the shoes of the less fortunate, that’s why she always exudes an aura of approachability and sincerity. She has no air of arrogance, they said.
They added that Roselyn’s act of providing free church marriage rites and banquets to poor couples is a gesture of generosity and the qualities of a true public servant.
Others in the crowd the media picked to talked with at random, agreed that the Board Member indeed has humility and concern for the well-being of her constituents, gaining her respect even from those in other party lines, as well as earning her the monicker of being the voice of the voiceless sector, especially the women.
Roselyn’s nephew, Governor Gerard, said the Kasalan was a unique concept for Biliran apart from the usual marriage rites conducted by the LGU through the mayor or the judge. The governor said he was happy of the initiative that he wanted it to be continued and practiced in the future.
Vice Governor Koko Caneja, for his part, commended the Roselyn initiative saying that the Provincial Board may look into the possibility of passing a budget allocation to fund this kind of event for the good of all. —Miriam G. Desacada