This couple from Novaliches is another living testament that love conquers all— in sickness and in health!
The couple got engaged last April 23, 2022. After a couple of days, the soon-to-be-bride was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Instead of postponing the wedding, the bride’s health condition pushed the groom to join the love of his life on her life’s greatest battle.
“Pinagpray mo po ‘yung tao, parang naisip ko po na ang tagal tagal ako inantay ni MJ kasi apat na taon niya po ako inantay tapos nung kami na, ilang buwan pa lang po nung nalaman po na ganito po ‘yung sakit ko kaya mahirap po,” Wilrene Baldemor Pedreza told The Philippine STAR.
“Bago po malaman ‘yung final result po, nagpropose po kasi siya nun. Tapos nung una po parang hindi ko po macompose ‘yung sarili ko kung ano po ‘yung mararamdaman ko pero habang dumadaan po ‘yung araw parang nahihirapan po ako, parang hindi po nagsisink in sakin pero siguro po mas nakita ko po kasi kung gaano niya po ako kamahal po kasi grabe po talaga, as in grabe po talaga, wala po akong masabi sa binigay po niya na love kung pano niya po ako inasikaso, inalagaan,” she recalled.
Wilrene and MJ met at a Christian event in 2017. After 5 years, their relationship became official. On June 18, 2022, they tied the knot in a Christian ceremony.
“Originally po kasi ‘yung plan namin is next year, itutuloy po ‘yung kasal para makapag prepare kami and kaya lang ganito po ‘yung nangyari. Naospital po siya, isang buwan po siya nasa ospital. Nung panahon na ‘yun, nag-isip na po kami, dapat nga bago siya ipasok, magpapakasal na kami sa civil. Ang nangyari po nun na nagrush ‘yung doctor na kailangan maconfine agad. Sabi namin, after na lang paglabas na lang ng ospital, magpapakasal kami,” groom Mark Joseph Pedreza shared.
MJ said that they had a short time preparing for their wedding since they were busy on Wilrene’s treatments and hospital appointments. Fortunately, their families and churchmates made the wedding possible!
MJ said that Wilrene’s condition did not test their relationship as they continue holding to each other to surpass the challenges.
“Para sakin po kasi parang [di] hahayaan ‘to ni Lord samin kung hindi namin malagpasan,” he said.
Wilrene is very thankful for her partner’s patience as they surpass a challenge in their life together.
“Hindi po biro pero parang sabi ko nga po eh kumbaga si Lord, alam po niya talaga lahat kasi bago ko po ‘to naranasan, binigay na niya sakin si MJ para maging katuwang ko po kasi hindi lang siya physical kumbaga parang emotionally, mentally, spiritually kasi talagang susubukin niya ‘yung faith mo pero sobrang ‘yun po, kumbaga bukod po sa Lord, sa family, kay MJ po talaga parang nakikita ko po siya, sobrang strong po niya,” she said.
“Never ko po nakikita na nanghihina po siya, na napapagod po siya kasi ako po talaga personally umiyak po talaga kasi syempre parang naisip ko Lord, hanggang kelan pa po ‘yung life ko parang nabubuo pa lang ‘yung dreams namin together tapos biglang nagpunta ‘yung ganung pagsubok,” she added.
In God’s grace, Wilrene is now on remission!
Wilrene said that MJ gave her strength and assurance to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
“I journey with you regardless sa mga circumstances at alam ko na isa pa lang ‘to sa mga pinagdaraanan natin but the Lord is always there for us, di tayo papabayaan ni Lord, di tayo iiwan ni Lord at siya ‘yung laging magbibigay satin ng biyaya and sa grace and mercy niya, malalampasan natin ‘tong pagsubok na ‘to,” MJ assured Wilrene.
