In sickness and in health: The 72-year-old love of Lolo Florencio and Lola Ignacia

Florencio Arcenal did not know that his dear childhood friend, Ignacia, loved him as he loved her—until he caught wind that someone else was courting her. He confessed his love and, after only six months of courting, were married in 1941.

94-year-old Lolo Florencio and 92-year-old Lola Ignacia Arcenal's love story first enjoyed the limelight on August 22, when a video of Lolo serenading Lola was posted by a YouScooper. Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho featured the couple's love story August 25, going into detail about how their 72-year-old marriage came to be.

"Masarap pa rin yung pakiramdam," said Lolo on KMJS. "Maligaya ka. Ganoon din siya, maligaya rin siya. Walang katapusang pagmamahal, sapul sa simula."

A hard life

They first came to know each other while playing in their families' fields in Majayjay, Laguna, where they lived next to each other. The 'playmate' arrangement continued up until their adolescence, when both decided to go to Manila to find their fortunes. In the midst of their search, they found each other.

When their third child was born, the couple knew they had to provide their children a better way of living. They decided that Lolo should study again, at Jose Rizal University (then Jose Rizal College), while he drove for a gravel and sand factory by night. Lola sold native sweet delicacies to suppliment her husband's tuition fee.

Because of his intelligence and hard work, Lolo Florencio began working as an office clerk, as per a professor's recommendation. He was absorbed by the bank he worked in when, while filling in for an absent auditor, he presented an audit in the span of three days. Eventually, he was promoted to become Vice President of the company; the sudden prosperity allowed the couple to add four more children to their brood.

First time apart

Lola's two-week hospitalization marks their first and only separation. Lola Ignacia is still being treated at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center for a mild stroke and a sudden increase in platelet count.

"Katunayan nga napapaiyak din ako sa bahay na wala siya eh. Hinahanap ko siya sa gabi, 'Aba'y wala, nasa ospital nga pala.' Sa lahat ng panahon hinahanap-hanap ko siya," confessed Lolo Ignacio.

He soon learned that "Many waters cannot quench love," as stated in Madeleine L'Engle's novel-length retelling of Noah's Ark titled "Many Waters," when he braved floods brought on by Maring just to be with Lola. It was during Lola's first four days in the ICU that he began serenading her, almost as if he were courting her again. After a few days of singing their theme song, "Maalaala Mo Kaya," Lola miraculously regained her strength.

This last miracle only reinforced the stubborn grandfather's will to brave the storms brought on by monsoon rains strengthened by Maring, just to talk with and sing to Lola.

"Masaya. Mahal ko siya," said Lola Ignacia after she sang along with Lolo Florencio.

One of their seven children died three years ago. The remaining six will return to the Philippines next week in order to take care of their mother—a job taken up only by their granddaughter Cecile and the latter's own daughter. It was Cecile, a YouScooper, who took videos of the loving couple without their noticing. — Rie Takumi/VC, GMA News