I recently visited my dad's hometown because we were invited to a relative's (the bride) wedding. It took me roughly 6 hours to travel from Davao City to the small town called Libungan. Travel time was never usually like this. It's just that the van my sister and I rode happened to stopped over every town before we could actually be ecstatic to say "we're almost there."
When we arrived, we went to the chapel next to the barangay hall after dropping by our little bamboo house to leave our stuff. My dad had picked us up on a motorcycle and when we got there, the ceremony was about to end.
The chapel was crammed with children, close relatives (that we had only met when we were little), friends from out of town... but the pews were mostly occupied by the 'ninongs and ninangs' -godfathers and godmothers.
Godparents are known to be ultimate witnesses of marriages. One of their jobs is to see that the couple is on the right track and is stable: financially and emotionally, above all the many aspects. They're basically intended to be second parents. In other cases, being a godparent becomes merely ceremonial. Some couples pick godparents who are public figures or public officials for prestige, being able to say, "one of the ninong's at our wedding was the governor (or even the President for that matter)."
After the ceremony, you would've thought the married couple would leave the humid venue. But no, the program would not be complete without the 'picture-taking.' And the photos would not be complete without the classic, wacky pose. It usually starts out with the newly weds with their parents, then cousins, then relatives, then relatives of relatives, then friends, and then the whole barrio (heh) of grandparents.
After that the whole party proceeds to the reception. Where one thing's for sure to be served- roasted pig, and you should expect leftovers for breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the next few days. Food is prepared and served to be shared, and taken home by people not even the married couple know personally.
Weddings in the barrio go pretty big even if celebrations as big are costly. The couple goes all the way to keep the guests accommodated and makes sure heads are fed. You could say they save having to talk about expenses and the numerous spending problems for after the wedding.
At the end of the day, everyone came together in celebration of our second cousin and her soldier husband's love for each other. We got to see our cousins of the second degree, as well as aunties and uncles we still call 'auntie and uncle' even if we are not even directly related. Plus, despite the scorching heat, people still had a great time and even sang karaoke, and dedicated speeches to the bride and groom (who were by that time sweating like hell and looked like they were about to faint).
Life in this little town is simple, and the people live in simplicity. Sure it's a long trip to and from the city, but I don't mind.