After the solemnization of the marriage of the couple, it is with great honor and privilege for me to speak first a message for the newly-wed. A message is supposed to be delivered first handedly by my Dad, the Sangcopan ko Bayabao-Masiu, who is also the second father of our bride but I came here instead to deliver my thoughts and maybe also a bit of my father's. 

As we all know, our bride and her siblings lost their father at their very young ages. If I can vividly recall the stories, my cousin who is their youngest, can barely walk when their father died. And with that came the great challenge to my aunt, whom we all call as Omie, to raise a family on her own.

My dad then became the father figure of my cousins, and we never regret that we all share his intention and care, although he is somewhat strict to all of us. Nevertheless, our bride took a very special place in my dad's life, whom I may consider as my honorary elder sister for she was not the first niece but also the first grandchild of the family.

But then again, as I grew up with them, I started to realize the special role of my dad in the bride and her family's life. Although at a very young age, it seems hard to contemplate on the fact that every cousin of yours calls your Daddy, as their Daddy also. But I never questioned that, on the fact also that I call their mother the same way they also call her.

But what made me jubilant after all the things that transpired through with the family is that, there is never an impossible just when you dream of it and support one another. I can proudly say that it was a very difficult and arduous journey, not only for Ate Bing, but for the entire family all throughout the road in becoming a doctor of medicine. I think we consider her as a crown jewel of our family.

To tell you honestly, it took a great number of head nodding and a windful of sighs until it sank to my father that her precious niece is already a grown up woman who is already aptly ready where life may take her head on. I know it may sound selfish but after all those of years of study, I think what my Dad, Grandmom and Aunts ultimately want is the time to spend with her more. 

But as destiny has it, a new chapter of her lifestory must be written and it is improbable to stop. But as we say it, as long as she is happy, then maybe it is already the right time to move forward.

From Daddy's point, it was a hard decision to let you go early, as he say. I remember the countless sacrifices of my Aunts, Omie, Mamang, Tita and Daddy alongside with their tears, in accepting the fact that you are now really into the stage of a married woman. 

At this stage of yours in becoming entwined with a man, the family, Daddy, wishes you welland be a happy married woman. Life might be full of challenges ahead but your years of personal and academic struggle might have equipped you to face the bigger challenges and questions that the future may yet to bring.

This is another beginning filled with apprehension and anticipation. May your warming aura in the family bring your new life full of joy and love beyond compare.

With all my heart, May the Almighty Allah bless your union and I offer you my congratulations as you begin the latest adventure of your life. We wish you well and all the best!