From the eruption of the Taal Volcano to the emergence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the past year was largely defined by the community quarantine first implemented last March 2020—confining us in our respective homes with little to no interaction.
With the news that my cousin will get married in our province last December, I was apprehensive to attend. As the holiday seasons were upon us, a surge in cases was likely to occur. However, guests were reassured that only a limited number of people were invited and strict safety protocols will be followed during the entirety of the wedding ceremony.
The wedding was held in the Taal Basilica, which is deemed the largest church both in the Philippines and in Asia. In spite of the eruption of the Taal Volcano last January 2020, I was left astounded by the city of Taal’s cleanliness and architecture that is reminiscent of Old Manila.
During the wedding ceremony, social distancing was practiced, such that only four people were advised to sit in each pew. Face masks were a staple in everybody’s attire, including the priest and altar servers during the mass.
Only the bride and groom were allowed to take off their masks throughout the event, with the exception of the photo opportunity at the end of the wedding. Family members were asked to go in front to commemorate this major event and the photographer stated that there would be two versions for the picture taking, first with a face mask and the second without it.
As the event was about to end, I noticed that celebrations are not as grand as they were before. Moreover, travel ban restrictions caused the absence of some members of the family. The number of guests has significantly decreased, but knowing that the guests were carefully and thoroughly picked made the event more intimate.
The wedding ceremony left me a newfound appreciation for spending time with my family—something that I admittedly took for granted before the pandemic. Every day, we face a reality filled with uncertainty, not knowing when the pandemic will be over. Being in quarantine for the majority of the year left me to reflect on my past actions and the lack of involvement in social events was quite regretful. Hence, to make up for lost time, I made longer conversations with my titos and titas, smiled more often, and relished the entire experience.
While COVID-19 has significantly crippled us and the threat of infection from the virus prevails, there are certain events that can not be pushed back any longer. Through this wedding, it is evident that love finds new ways even in the midst of a pandemic. Although physical interaction has been reduced, people still continue to celebrate love and commemorate events. From social gatherings that are usually filled with our friends and loved ones, we have transitioned to a smaller crowd that does not compromise the warmth and intimacy that we were accustomed to.