Feature Article

 Love Beyond Sight and Movement

The eye is the lamp of the body. But how can a person move their body and see where they want to go if they have problems with their eyes and body?

In the quiet town of Aranas, Balete, Aklan, two extraordinary souls, named Pressy Dela Cruz, a 51-year-old who lost her vision at the left of her eye at the tender age of 4, and Cedric Tan, a 47-year-old who is paralyzed by polio at the early age of 2, have faced life’s challenges with unparalleled courage and have defied the odds of life. They share a love story that transcends physical limitations, inspiring everyone around them.

Fifteen years ago, fate brought Pressy and Cedric together, despite the physical challenges they faced. Their paths converged through text messages, and their connection grew stronger as they discovered the unique thread of love weaving through their lives. Hailing from different parts of the Philippines—Pressy from Aklan and Cedric from Manila—they found solace in each other’s presence.

Pressy’s Light: Overcoming Darkness

Pressy’s journey has been marked by her unwavering determination. Despite her visual impairment due to having accidentally stabbed her left eye, she persevered but failed to complete her studies until she turned 36 and met Cedric.

Her life took a significant turn when she met Cedric, who became her guiding light, helping her navigate the world around her.

“Kaylangan kong kayanin, para mabuhay,” Pressy says, echoing her resilience in the face of adversity.

Cedric’s Strength: Walking Through Life’s Obstacles

Cedric also faced his share of challenges. His mobility was restricted by polio; he was struggling with his condition and faced a lot of criticism from then until now, but he also found support and strength in Pressy. With her guidance, he learned to understand the language of Aklan and, more importantly, found the willpower to keep moving forward.

In a world where societal norms often dictate one’s worth, Pressy and Cedric chose a different path. Cedric’s voice becomes Pressy’s eyes, guiding her, while Pressy’s legs become Cedric’s means to explore the world around him.

Despite societal judgment, the couple remains unyielding. They choose to fight for life together and work as tricycle drivers together.

The reason behind

In the town of Balete, they are the only couple who work as tricycle drivers. That’s why they are popular in the community, not just because they are a couple but also because they have both conditions. They both know that each of them is struggling with other people’s opinions, and for them to be able to overcome that, they started to work together and face those challenges. Together, they believe they can overcome and get strength in each other.

Aside from being tricycle drivers, they also sell their collections. They are both determined about what they are doing, even though it is really difficult, according to them.

For Cedric to be able to understand the language here in Aklan, he needs Pressy. And for Pressy to be able to walk wherever she wants to go, she needs Cedric to guide her where to go.

Every day, they burn themselves in the heat of the sun just to earn money for their everyday expenses. They struggle every single day, calling Cedric “paki” by the people and “bulag” for pressy.

“Do akon gid lang nga gustong ikutana, haman it tawgon nyo pa kaming bulag o paki nga sayud nyong makarun eon ngani kami, ag may pangaean man kami nga duyon dapat do itawag kamon,” Pressy said.

Their shared experiences have instilled in them the belief that life is meant to be lived to the fullest, regardless of the challenges one faces.

But how can they fix a personal challenge that no one can help them with, not even themselves?

The only wish

For almost 15 years together as a couple, they haven’t even had one child. One of Prissy’s wishes is that it will never happen, not because they don’t want to, but because they fear the cruelty of what people are going to say and also the presumption that their child will grow and have a condition like what they have.

 They haven’t attempted to have a child ever since. They didn’t want their child struggling like they have every day, because for them, that will be the hardest part of their lives, and it will crash their hearts if they see their child bullied.

Pressy and Cedric’s relationship is built on a foundation of trust, understanding, and unwavering support for each other. Together, they navigate life’s complexities, proving that love knows no boundaries.

Obstacles to Life

Life is hard, but it will become harder if you limit yourself to that space. For Pressy, her life is dark, but she chooses to put light on it, and the one who gives her light is her husband, Cedric. For Cedric, he didn’t know if he would make it till the end if he hadn’t been pressy in her life. For him, Pressy is her foot to walk through the obstacles of life.

(Patuloy lang ang buhay,wag ikahiya) Pressy said

(Pag kaya mong lumaban, laban! Pero pag hindi iwas ka nalang) Cedric’s message to the people who also have the same condition as them

Pressy and Cedric’s story is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience.

They have learned to be unbothered by the world’s opinions,     focusing on their   shared goals and     cherishing every     moment together.

In their words and actions, they remind us all that life is too short to be limited by circumstances. Everyone can find inspiration in their stories, which shows that love and perseverance can overcome even the most difficult challenges.

Their story serves as a light of hope, showing others how to persevere in the face of hardship and find love beyond sight and movement.