The love story of Mareng Winnie and Atty. Christian Monsod

THE LOVE STORY OF MARENG WINNIE AND ATTY. CHRISTIAN MONSOD BAWAL ANG PASAWAY KAY MARENG WINNIE Airing date: February 11, 2013

 

Make it a habit to hold hands. Find time to be together. Write notes. Be good friends. Pray for passion. Crack jokes, especially when arguments arise.

 

These are just some of the reasons why the Monsod couple, married now for over 51 years, remains together, as they are interviewed by newlyweds Raffy Tima and Mariz Umali.

 

The marriage is grounded on friendship. They met while students at the University of the Philippines. Mareng Winnie even chaperoned some of Atty. Monsod's date. In turn, she confided in him whenever she had crushes.

 

Then one summer, Atty. Monsod broke off with his girlfriend.  He then convinced Mareng Winnie that she is in love with him. For over three hours, the young lawyer presented his case and convinced the incredulous Mareng Winnie that they should be a couple.

 

"It was the first and only argument I've won in our marriage," says Atty. Monsod.   

 

A lot of delightful little things fuel the marriage. There are the notes that Atty. Monsod writes for Mareng Winnie, one of which she keeps in her purse and reads frequently. And in contrast to her public image, Atty. Monsod says Mareng Winnie is a sweet and thoughtful wife. 

 

"We flirt. We make time to be together. We go to Subic every weekend and play house. There we can go naked around the house, and that's the best part," Atty. Monsod jokes. "And that is why we've been together for 18,866 days and counting."

 

Feel the love in this Valentine episode of Bawal ang Pasaway Kay Mareng Winnie, airing February 11, 10 PM on GMA News TV channel 11.

 

Magkabarkada sila noong una. Chaperone sa mga dates ni Atty. Christian Monsod si Mareng Winnie. Nang mag-break si Atty. Monsod at ang kanyang girlfriend, kinarir pa ni Mareng Winnie na magkaayos ang dalawa. Hanggang sa ipinatigil ni Atty. Monsod ang pag-aayos ni Mareng Winnie.

 

"Sinabi ko sa kanya na in love siya sa akin at dapat maging kami," sabi ni Atty. Monsod. Inabot daw ng mahigit tatlong oras ang pagbibigay ng pruweba ni Atty. Monsod bago niya nakumbinsi si Mareng Winnie na mahal siya nito at dapat na maging sila.

 

Napansin daw kasi ni Atty. Monsod na tuwing may nakikita siyang bagay na gusto niya, si Mareng Winnie ang una niyang tinatawagan sa telepono. At kumbinsido siyang mahal din siya ni Mareng Winnie dahil pinakikinggan siya nito at hindi binababaan ng telepono hanggang matapos ang kuwento niya. 

Makalipas ang tatlong taon, papaalis ng bansa para mag-aral sa Amerika si Mareng Winnie. Binigyan niya ng ultimatum si Atty. Monsod dahil hindi siya naniniwala sa long distance relationship.

 

Valentine's day 1961 nang mag-propose si Atty. Monsod. "Inabutan niya ako ng supot. Nasa loob ang isang kahon na may lamang ang liit liit na diamond," sabi ni Mareng Winnie. 

 

"Wala pa akong trabaho noon," sabi naman ni Atty. Monsod.

 

Ikinasal sila noong Hunyo ng taong iyon.  

 

Sa simula ng 51 na taon nilang pagsasama, makailang beses din daw na gustong mag-alsa balutan ni Mareng Winnie. Pero nasa Amerika sila noon at wala silang ibang tatakbuhan kundi ang isa't isa.

 

Sa kabila ng pagkakakilala kay Mareng Winnie na seryoso at palaban, sa loob ng bahay ay iba si Mareng Winnie. "Very thoughtful siya," ayon kay Atty. Monsod. Para naman kay Mareng Winnie, masaya ang kanilang 18,866 na araw na pagsasama dahil sa husay magpatawa ng kanyang mister.

 

Sa espesyal na edition na ito ng Bawal ang Pasaway Kay Mareng Winnie, alamin ang payo ng mag-asawang Monsod sa bagong kasal na sina Raffy Tima at Mariz Umali sa Lunes, ika-10 ng gabi sa GMA News TV channel 11.