'Love knows no boundaries': Trans couple weds at Catholic church in Dapitan City
A transwoman and transman married each other at a Catholic parish church in Dapitan City.
As they marked their relationship's fifth anniversary in early July, Tisha Marie Enderez, 31, a transman, and Ronnie Enderez, 26, a transwoman, tied the knot at Saint James the Greater Parish. They were the first trans couple to do so in the church's history.
Rev. Msgr. John Warren B. Maratas, the parish's parochial vicar, presided over the momentous wedding. In his homily, he expressed full support for the couple, building around the quote, "Love knows no boundaries."
Speaking to PhilSTAR L!fe, the newlyweds described their whirlwind romance.
After being introduced to each other by a friend, they started chatting, became a couple, and moved in together all within a month. They got engaged three years later.
Early on, they knew being married at a Catholic church was part of their plans.
"Mahalaga na ikasal kami sa Catholic church dahil gusto naming ma-bless ang marriage namin, na i-bless kami sa Panginoon at sa pari. At gusto namin na maiharap kami sa altar na naka-gown at naka-barong [bilang] respect po sa simbahan namin," Tisha said.
When the couple told their parish about their wedding plans, the general reaction they received was one of surprise. "Nagulat ang pari at ang mga empleyado sa simbahan kasi po first time na may ikakasal na parte ng LGBT dito sa aming lugar," Ronnie recalled.
One of the initial questions they were asked was about their wedding attire: Who's wearing the gown; who's wearing the barong?
Ronnie and Tisha were ready with their reply.
"Sabi namin, handa kaming magbago ng pananamit," Tisha said. "Lalo na po, ako may bigote. Handa ko pong i-shave ang bigote ko at magpakababae sa altar. At si Ronnie naman, handa naman po siyang mag-barong at magmukhang lalaki."
"Gusto kasi naming magpakalalaki at magpakababae kahit sa isang araw lang sa aming kasal," he added.
The priest was pleased with the couple's decision, the couple said.
As they prepared for their wedding, Tisha and Ronnie experienced some pushback from conservatives.
"Ang mga challenges na aming hinarap bilang isang parte ng LGBT ay ang maraming mga tutol o basher," Ronnie said. "Kasi sabi nila ang bakla ay para sa lalaki at ang tomboy ay para sa babae."
The parish church posted about their wedding on Facebook on July 4. "A wedding is often remembered for its flowers, music, and the walk down the aisle. But for those who gathered at Saint James the Greater Parish, one ceremony will stand out for something much deeper: the courage to love openly and the promise to remain faithful despite life's uncertainties," they wrote in a July 4 post.
"While the Catholic Church continues to uphold its teachings on marriage, it also urges the faithful to treat everyone with dignity, compassion, and respect," the church said in its statement. "As the familiar phrase goes, 'Love wins,' it means...not erasing differences or pretending they do not exist, but...embracing them with kindness, understanding, and patience."
"True love does not demand sameness; it chooses compassion over judgment, and remains steadfast even in the face of challenges," it continued.
