Newly wedded couple, Rezien Masong and Daniella Lepiten-Masong. | Photo Courtesy of Daniella Lepiten-Masong
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Daniella Masong (neé Lepiten), a 26-year-old bank teller from Bogo City, northern Cebu, almost did not get the wedding of her dreams with now husband, Rezien Masong.
Two days prior to their scheduled civil wedding on January 28, 2021, she proved positive to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) after being tested at work.
She was quarantined for 14 days, which meant her already long engagement had to be extended again. It was a test of their love.
Daniella and Rezien met in high school as friends first. They soon fell in love and through thick and thin, they managed to survive the test of time.
Rezien is a seafarer who always had to say goodbye, leaving Daniella behind. Thankfully, through modern technology, the couple remained strong amid the distance.
“We did not even realize how time flew so fast and yes, we just [celebrated] our 13th anniversary (as a couple) last January 7th. At first, it was difficult because I was never used to not seeing him for that long but fortunately, with the aid of technology, it helped us a lot to easily communicate withe each and felt like somehow we’re not apart,” said Daniella.
Throughout the long relationship, it was just a matter of time that the two lovers would talk about marriage.
Yet, Daniella was still surprised when Rezien proposed during an outing and while swimming on a pool. The romantic gesture still leaves Daniella giddy to this day.
Daniella Lepiten-Masong, 26, bride
The wedding was initially planned for July 20, 2020, but the pandemic hit and the peak was being felt in Cebu particularly, which made it difficult for Rezein to come home.
The wedding had to be postponed, but with the help of private planners from Carlo Abaquita of Unique Weddings and Events, they were able to move the wedding to January 2021 without much loss.
When Rezein finally came home to Bogo City, Daniella was ready to be his wife, until she found out she had COVID-19.
“We had a COVID-19 outbreak in the office were I was one of the employees who tested positive. Since we had to isolate ourselves for 14 days, we had then again to postpone the wedding and move it to Feb 11. To be honest, the quarantine was ‘legit’ okay. We had to stay alone in a room and had all the time to relax. Luckily, I had no major problems,” said Daniella.
Another problem struck as Rezein’s father, who is also a seaferar, was bound to go back to sea by February 11. Fortunately, his company allowed him extra time to attend the ceremony.
At last, even COVID-19 could not stop the love between Daniella and Rezien, as after she was released from quarantine two weeks after, they finally got married on February 11, 2021.
“There was no instance or time we thought that the wedding will be cancelled because we have been planning this for so long and we both wanted this. We know very well that everything will be just fine with the help and guidance of Our Heavenly father,” said Daniella.
Daniella and Reizen would be celebrating this year’s Valentines Day as a married couple. The newly wed couple would be building a family together in a post-pandemic world.
The road to the wedding may have been long and tedious, but it has tested their love that would become a great foundation for their future years together.
“On a serious note, marriage is an opportunity to let us grow together. So whatever challenge we may find, we know we got each other,” said Daniella.
/bmjo