50 GOING STEADY
Anything that lasts for 50 years is no mean feat in the 21st century where almost everything is disposable. A couple that not only survives but remains in love deserves special attention. Betina Santamaria Kahn was only 14 years old when she first met 19-year-old Chito Lobregat Legarda in Baguio. He hung around with Betina’s older brother, Butch, and since they both came from a large family — 13 Kahn children and 10 Legarda children — it was natural that the older brothers would watch over the younger sisters, especially if they were pretty and admired by boys.
Chito had just arrived from Europe and had been based there since he was in a Swiss boarding school at nine years old. Her first impression was that he was very polite, well mannered, religious, intelligent and extremely good looking. As Betina fondly reminisced, “Little did I know that he was already smitten and was worried because I had a number of admirers who were trekking to our home. My mom Dolores was shocked when my brother Butch eventually told her I was in love with one of our chaperones.”
Since she was too young, the Kahns brought their young daughter to Europe but her mother soon realized that it was a useless trip because as Betina recounted, “I refused to go out on any date with anyone… and just waited for the daily love letters from Chito, which would wait for me in every city that we visited.” This was in the age of snail mail where letters took weeks to arrive, yet the ardent suitor perfectly timed his letters to greet her everywhere Betina set foot.
Even younger sister Marilou Kahn Magsaysay joked, “For six years, Chito was stuck in our sala, sitting on our sofa watching over Betina and waiting for her to grow up so they could marry.” As soon as Betina turned 20, Chito sought her father’s blessing and readily proposed with a beautiful diamond engagement ring for his one true love. In those days, couples weren’t allowed to be alone at any time until they married and dutiful Betina followed her parents’ instructions. In fact, the only time they were allowed to be alone was the night before the wedding when Chito wanted Betina to view the huge wedding cake that was painstakingly made by his mother Rosario Legarda and Mao Tabunar. The cake was set up on a magnificent silver platter that belonged to family friend and famed decorator Ronnie Laing, who was also responsible for fixing up the San Agustin Church for the marriage rites and the reception at the Manila Hotel’s Grand Ballroom with a thousand guests in attendance. Another family friend, Pitoy Moreno, designed the wedding gown.
During their 25th wedding anniversary, mom Dolores finally admitted that “I made a mistake not realizing that this guy (Chito) was and is so in love with you.”
It was with the same love and devotion that the couple recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary celebration at the Alabang Country Club surrounded by numerous family members and friends. The dinner was carefully chosen with culinary favorites lovingly prepared by their daughter, chef Tina Legarda, who inherited her mother’s love of cooking. And as the evening’s festivities
started, Betina announced, “Our love has lasted a lifetime. If there is such a thing as a second chance, I’d like to be 14 years old again and start anew.” For comments and ideas, email author at jacinto.fa@gmail.com.