Saying ‘I do’ sweeter the 2nd time around for 6 cops

Six Quezon City police officers reaffirm their commitment to their spouses in a mass renewal of wedding vows sponsored by top-ranking QC police officials at Camp Karingal, Quezon City. PHOTO BY JINKY CABILDO

Believing that the best police officers are devoted family men, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) sponsored on Friday a mass renewal of vows for six of its married personnel at Camp Karingal, Quezon City.

“We believe that if a police officer has a firm family foundation, there will be no problems at work. It will have a good effect on our organization,” said QCPD director Chief Supt. Joel Pagdilao.

“When their family is in turmoil or when they are fighting [with] or separated [from] their spouse, [it] will have an effect on [the police officer’s] work, too,” Pagdilao added.

“This is a blessing for us,” said Maila, who is married to PO1 Michael Ng. The couple met by chatting on Yahoo! Messenger seven years ago.

They recently celebrated their wedding anniversary in May so when they learned about the mass renewal of vows at the police camp, they jumped at the chance.

For another couple, it was an opportunity to repeat their vows, this time, with a priest officiating.

Masambong police station commander Senior Supt. Christian de la Cruz first met his wife Andrea, a dentist, as a patient. Deeply smitten, he kept on returning to her clinic for checkups until his efforts paid off.

The pair got married in a civil ceremony 20 years ago and have since become parents to two boys who are now teenagers.

“We’re both Catholic and we want our union to be bound by the Church. God is always at the center of our relationship,” said Andrea, glowing in a simple white dress on Friday afternoon.

De la Cruz, standing proud in his police uniform, quipped that he just wanted a free church wedding when he signed up for the renewal of vows. But turning serious, he explained: “I just wanted to show my wife that I really love her. That through all that has happened, she’s still the one.” Jinky Cabildo and Rose Barroga