By Keziah G. Huelar

Dr. Margen A. Java and Engr. Alberto A. Java together with their sons: Albert Jan Matthew and Pastor Albert Mark. Photo Credit: Matt Java

The dancing sunbeams filled the turquoise sky with glee as billows of clouds hang to and fro its blue canvass. Central Philippine University bears witness to another day. Centralians hurry to get to their classes, professors armed with class cards prepare their quizzes while kiosk owners at the Uy Building inch their way to every dish, filling the place with aromas sure to please the eye and the palette.

For Dr. Margen A. Java and Engr. Alberto A. Java, it’s more than just a beautiful day. Rather, it is another testimony of God’s goodness, not only to their marriage but to their God-given ministry serving the Centralian community as members of the faculty and staff of the university.

As a pastor’s kid, Dr. Java was a scholar of the University and graduated cum laude with a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Religion from CPU in 1981: “I am the youngest in the family and my father really wanted one of his children to follow [in] his footsteps. I knew how difficult the life of a pastor was and so I took up AB Religion as a compromise… between my father and [me]. My stand was that I would be of help to more people if I would work in a school setting rather than a church setting.”

 Leaving her hometown, Lambunao, Dr. Java transferred to CPU when she was in the fifth grade. Recalling fond memories, she shares that she spent her elementary and high school days playing in the Big Field and eating barbecue and spending afternoons talking with friends at the Half Moon Drive.

The Big Field, according to Dr. Java, holds a special place in her heart. There, her two sons, Albert Jan Matthew and Pastor Albert Mark also grew up playing, learning and discovering life in the process: “The Big Field is the playground of my children. It’s where my children learned their first steps, how to ride a bike, etc. Every weekend we spend a lot of time there, sitting and talking.”

Dr. Java first met her husband, Engr. Java, while studying in CPU. There being only two students studying AB Religion, Dr. Java joined other students taking different subjects: “We were mixed together with those taking Master of Divinity and Bachelor of Theology. I really just got into classes that accommodated my schedule since there was no block section back then so, I gained a lot of friends. [My husband and I] were classmates then in one of the education subjects.”

However it wasn’t until after college that they became acquainted with one another. In 1982, Dr. Java worked as a guidance counselor for CPU. During the same year, Engr. Java was employed as part of the teaching staff of the College of Engineering. Later, he obtained a scholarship and went on a study leave for two years for his master’s degree at UP Diliman.

Being part of the young crowd of employees serving CPU, Dr. and Engr. Java got to know each other deeply as friends before becoming a couple: “We were friends for quite some time, I had friends from the guidance office and he also had friends from the College of Engineering and we [went] out as a group. He informed his family that he was courting me after we both talked about it. Our older siblings gave [us] their affirmation.”

 Highlighting her Christian upbringing, Dr. Java shares that her view on courtship and marriage has always been traditional: “I really belong to the old school so to speak and I’m a little bit [of a] conservative. When I had suitors back then, I really emphasized that even [if they gave all their efforts to show their affection], I would not brand it as courting until such intention is really expressed.”

 She goes on to talk about how her parents molded her perception on love: “My parents had a really big impact on my perception on love. My father kept on reminding us… of the sacredness of marriage. When I was studying in CPU, my parents lived in Lambunao but every time my father visited us, he would always remind and assure us that whenever we would have problems we would always tell them first. Both of my parents really showcased the value of family in their marriage.”

 From her parents’ example, Dr. Java learned to pursue God first. When her sons were still small, Dr. Java recalls her father asking her if she was still active in the ministry. His father significantly influenced her to love and serve the Lord: “Right now, if there’s a speaking engagement in the church or camp, I volunteer without pay as a speaker and my husband and kids [come] with me.”

One of the challenging phases in their relationship happened in January of 1987 when Engr. Java had a mild stroke. After spending 15 days in the hospital, Engr. Java spent most of his time at home. Eventually with the help of family, friends and colleagues, he was able to return to work and even obtain a doctorate degree in education.

Dr. Java shares about the love and support her family gave Engr. Java, which according to her attested to their love and faith in God and in one another: “Can you just imagine an engineer going literally back to his 123s and ABCs. When that happened, I wrote a letter to my parents telling them what happened. My father came the day after and prayed for Bert. Indeed God is the third party in the relationship. It’s the habit I established with my children—that God should always be present in the relationship.”

 When asked what made Dr. Java fall in-love with her husband, she recounts Engr. Java’s faith in God and his devotion and hard work to support their family: “My father was a pastor, so my suitor had to be a Christian. We had to have the same faith. [My husband is hard working]. He doesn’t mind manual labor and he really made efforts to support our family.”

 After four years of being in a relationship, Dr. and Engr. Java got married in 1989 at Baptist Center Church.

After 37 years, Dr. and Engr. Java continue to serve CPU, as Director of the Office of Student Development and Programs and as faculty of the Electrical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, respectively.

Dr. Java talks about her husband’s dedication to help CPU work students, a ministry close to his heart: “To borrow the words of my husband, CPU is our mission field. Serving the students is our mission. When my husband became the Coordinator of the Work Student Study Program, [he felt fulfilled. It was really one of his long-term goals. When we serve students even our children support us.”

 For Dr. and Engr. Java, marriage should be accompanied by strong family values and togetherness, a strong commitment to follow the Word of God and a complete submission to His will. With great joy, the couple takes pride on how their two sons emulate their love in reading the Word of God, sharing the Gospel to others and how they use the Central Spirit to proclaim the goodness of the Lord.

Their marriage is a testimony not only of perseverance and faith but of the greatest role of family in helping to bring two people together for the glory of God and for the advancement of His Kingdom.