Tony and Edna Calixto, model couple

Two days ago, the dominant colors and flowers in Pasay City were yellow roses and violets to mark the 50th wedding anniversary of Congressman Tony and Madam Edna Calixto.

In the Philippines, celebrating a 50th or Golden Wedding Anniversary typically involves the whole family gathering with gold as the traditional color and symbol of the milestone. This represents the enduring love and prosperity of the marriage.

The organizers crafted the theme of “50 years, One Love, Countless Memories Tony & Edna, a Golden Journey of Love and Laughter.”

The couple marked their milestone with a Holy Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Church, a meaningful and beautiful way to commemorate their wedding 50 years ago. The Holy Mass provided them a chance to give thanks for the years of marriage, renew their vows, and receive blessings.

Life with the same spouse for fifty years attests to one another’s creativity, love, perseverance and commitment.

It is a pleasure to honor someone so humble and down to earth, worthy of respect. The honor conveys dignity, honesty and integrity.

Families in the Philippines today are in trouble. Studies show that 70 percent of divorce are now initiated by women.

Honor was God’s idea in the first place — in marriage. No wonder some Filipinos are sometimes missing this virtue.

It is about time Filipino society sparked a movement of honor in our homes and communities over a hurting and broken world.

The life of Congressman Tony and Ma’am Edna should serve as a model.

When Congressman Tony delivered his straight from the heart talk at the reception, he said it while standing in front of his guests, with Ma’am Edna, their children — Mark Anthony, who was recently elected vice mayor of Pasay City; another son, Derek; and daughter Charlene — also standing.

It was a beautiful show of devotion, loyalty and family affection, the real and enduring character of the family of the Honorable OIC-Mayor Eduardo Calixto and Leonora Gallardo Calixto.

Incumbent Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano is the younger sister of Congressman Tony Calixto.

Antonino “Tony” Gallardo Calixto is a businessman and a politician. He currently serves as a member of the Philippine House of Representatives representing the Lone District of Pasay. He previously served as mayor of Pasay from 2010 until 2019, vice mayor from 2001 to 2010 and councilor from 1995 to 2001.

In 2010, Calixto ran for mayor, defeating other prominent candidates including Mayor Wenceslao “Peewee” Trinidad, former Representative Ma. Consuelo “Connie” Dy, and Ricardo “Ding” Santos, former security aide of former Mayor Pablo Cuneta. He was reelected mayor in 2013 and 2016.

Calixto is an authentic model of a truly homegrown leader whose skills, ability to win friends and lead them to accomplish tasks were learned at home.

In less than half a decade of his leadership as city mayor, he gained the distinct honor of receiving for the city and the people of Pasay 14 national and regional awards and recognitions.

In the last midterm elections, Tony Calixto easily won the lone congressional seat of Pasay with total votes of 131,640 over his closest challenger, Onie Bayona, who received 73,463 votes.

Tony Calixto has never lost an election from the time he entered politics in 1995.