[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’ ABOVE THE LAW ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY AYIN DREAM D. APLASCA
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
The vow
TRUE, we don’t need someone to complete us. We, in ourselves, should be complete first before entering into a relationship. It would be unfair if we cannot offer our entirety – the totality of our being.
But isn’t it wrong to find someone who would complete or fill in the gap in our lives? I’m with the negative. I believe the pursuit of happiness sometimes lies in our feeling of sharing the rest of our lives with someone else. Here comes marriage.
The first article of the Family Code states: “Marriage is a special contract of permanent union between a man and a woman entered into in accordance with law for the establishment of conjugal and family life. It is the foundation of the family and an inviolable social institution, whose nature, consequences, and incidents are governed by law and not subject to stipulation except that marriage settlements may fix the property relations during the marriage within the limits provided by this code.”
I believe that this provision is one of the bests description of what love should be. It shows the firm foundation of the permanent union of a husband and a wife. Both are protected not only by their vows in front of the Creator of marriage but also by the law.
The law considers marriage as a special contract because it is made by reason of love and affection with each other. The law considers it as a permanent union because love should be for a lifetime or may be forever. The law considers it as a foundation of a family because it creates life that makes the family more exciting. The law considers it as an inviolable social institution because even when everything fails and falls, the marriage stays and stands still.
However, these are not always the case. Many marriages become unsteady and troubled. This is also one of the reasons why Congress, more particularly the House Speaker, is planning to pass a bill on dissolution of marriage.
According to him, the bill will protect marriage as an institution much better. If the spouse cannot maintain the happiness he or she gives to the other spouse, then the other party or both parties can file a joint petition in the court for the dissolution of marriage. This means that collusion between both parties is allowed. Yes, this is much easier because collusion between parties is currently a ground for denial of annulment.
You see, the dissolution of marriage bill is so much easier. However, it gives more reason for couples to consider and treat their marriage life as a trial and error circumstance. It doesn’t give second chances to the marriage.
Marriage is not all about happiness. It is about love. When the real family world sets in, frustrations and disappointments come into the picture. Couples would threaten to leave each other and find a new home, a new place, and worst, a new love. And by a snap of a finger, marriage is dissolved.
I am not saying that couples should stay in an abusive relationship. However, it pays if both should take time and ponder why they chose and married the person. Isn’t it that love has its reason that even reason does not know? During hardships in marriage, why not have a seat and ponder on this. Search for that reason you longed to know. Maybe, just maybe, you might know the answer. Maybe the reason is only in your vow. Revisit it.
(Atty. Ayin Dream D. Aplasca practices her profession in Iloilo City. She may be reached thru ayindream.aplasca@gmail.com/PN)
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
