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2,500 Letters and Fifty Years Thereafter
Celio and I were college sweethearts from 1953. I graduated in '54 (B.S. Zoology) while Celio had to stay 2 more years at the University, plus boards for his doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
After I graduated and went back to my home province of Cebu, we only saw each other about a week after the school year was over and another week during Christmas vacation. But we wrote to each other almost daily; by the time we got married (April 6, 1958), we had almost 2500 letters between the two of us.
We were married in Cebu City. We settled in San Miguel, Bulacan. In 1962 Celio came to the U.S. and got employment with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture in the Meat and Poultry Inspection Program. In 1963, I followed after I finished my contract with a teaching job. We came with the first three children. Then there were two more. Although I was able to obtain a teaching credential in both Iowa and California, I decided not to go to work. It was a full time job to take care of children and home. When the youngest child was a junior in high school, I went back to school to take up nursing, which I thought was more marketable job-wise. It was a challenge to go back to school after more than 30 years, but I finished it in 2 years and a summer and passed the boards in one try. I worked as an RN in the medical-surgical floor for about 15 years and retired from nursing in 2000.
Our 5 children are all married. They are: Michael, a Physician (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation); Maria-Celani, a Registered Nurse (ICU-CCN); Cecilio, Jr., a Geologist (Geological Engineering); Emmanuel, a College Professor (University of Wisconsin); and Joseph, CEO in his own business. We have 11 grandchildren.
By Anita Felix
Brod Cecilio Felix, D.V.M. and Sis Anita say “I do’s” in front of their 5 children.
Some of the 200 or so visitors during the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Brod Cecilio and Sis Anita
Seated from left: Irma Ramos, Lita Punzalan, Anita, Julie Cavestany, Mercy Villegas, Cheng Valdez, and Tess Vergara. Standing from left: Titing Valdez, Tatang Vergara, Boy Ramos, Eric Punzalan, Cecilio, Billy and Virgie Monteagudo, Ding Cavestany, Manolo Banzon, Dave Villegas, Fred Aquino, Rotsen Lawas, Bong Beredo, Johnny Regadio and Narcing Lapus. Not in photo are Johnny and Paddy Quijano, Johnny and Cely Abilay, Willy and Desi Quejada, Aileen Beredo, Tuding Lapus, and Joe Gomez. |
