In every Filipino home, laughter is like rice on the table. It may not solve every problem, but it fills the heart and lightens the load. For me and Chin, humor has become one of the strongest tools in keeping our marriage alive and joyful. We always find ways to joke around and tease each other. Sometimes our jokes are clean and playful, and sometimes they slip into the green and naughty territory, which makes things even more exciting.
When I think about our relationship, I realize that our laughter has carried us through many seasons. It is not only about having fun. It is also about finding hope in hard times, softening arguments, and reminding ourselves that at the end of the day, we are partners and best friends. Humor is a lifeline, a kind of love language we speak fluently.
The Day Starts with a Joke
Our mornings usually begin with something funny. Chin wakes up earlier than me most of the time. She would tap my shoulder and say, “Hoy, tanghali na, may niluluto na ako ng almusal pero baka masunog kasi inaantok ako, kaya ikaw na lang kumilos.” I would laugh and answer, “Almusal na naman? Di ba kahapon sinabi mong magda diet ka?” Then she would squint her eyes and chase me with a slipper while smiling.
That kind of playfulness sets the tone of the day. Even before we leave the house, we have already shared laughter. It does not matter how stressful the day ahead might be. Knowing that we have already laughed together in the morning feels like carrying sunshine in our pockets.
Inside Jokes Only We Understand
One of the sweetest parts of marriage is developing inside jokes that no one else understands. Sometimes it is about a funny experience in the past, sometimes about a mispronounced word, sometimes even about a silly habit.
There was a time when we went to the palengke together. I misread a sign and said, “Oh may buy one take one bangus.” She burst out laughing and corrected me. The fish vendor also laughed. From that day on, whenever we cook bangus, she teases me with “buy one take one” and we both end up laughing again.
These inside jokes become part of our private world. They make us feel like we have our own language that belongs only to us. In public, a single glance or one word can make us giggle like children, while others wonder what we are laughing about. That secret connection is priceless.
The Role of Green Jokes
I will be honest. Not all our jokes are clean. Some are green, playful, and teasing. But that is also part of our intimacy as husband and wife. Green jokes are not about disrespect. They are about keeping the fire alive with humor.
For example, when she is cooking and bending over to check the stove, I might whisper something naughty in her ear. She would roll her eyes, slap my arm lightly, but she cannot hide her smile. Sometimes she jokes back, saying things that surprise me. These exchanges create sparks, reminding us that romance does not always have to be serious. Humor and desire can mix beautifully.
In a Filipino setting, where people often feel shy about openly talking about intimacy, green jokes between couples become a safe and funny way to express affection. It is a language of love and laughter that spices up the marriage.
Humor During Arguments
Of course, not every day is perfect. There are times when arguments rise, when voices become louder and tempers flare. But one thing that has saved us countless times is humor.
There was a day when we were arguing about house chores. I felt she was too demanding about cleanliness, and she felt I was being lazy. The tension grew until she crossed her arms and refused to talk. Instead of letting the silence grow, I suddenly picked up the mop, danced with it, and sang a love song in a dramatic way. She tried not to laugh, but eventually her face softened, and she burst out laughing. The argument melted, replaced by giggles.
Humor does not erase the problem, but it eases the tension enough for us to talk calmly. It is like opening a window to let fresh air into a stuffy room. Respect is important in arguments, but humor adds the reminder that we are not enemies. We are lovers who simply disagree at the moment.
Laughter as Therapy in Hard Times
One of the hardest moments in our marriage was when I lost my job for a while. Finances became tight. There were nights when we worried about bills, when silence felt heavy. But even then, we found ways to laugh.
One evening, while eating instant noodles for dinner, I told her, “Maganda pala itong diet natin, tipid and healthy kasi bawas gastos.” She laughed and said, “Kung lagi tayong noodles, baka maging pansit canton ang mukha natin.” We both laughed so hard that the heaviness lifted for a while.
That laughter gave us hope. It reminded us that as long as we had each other, we could survive. Humor became our therapy. It was not about ignoring problems but about strengthening our spirit to face them.
Family and Community Humor
Being Filipino means we are surrounded by humor, not only at home but also in our families and communities. When relatives gather, jokes fly around the table like ulam being passed. Some jokes are corny, some are witty, but laughter is always abundant.
Sometimes my uncles would tease me about doing chores for Chin, saying I am under the saya. Instead of being offended, I laugh with them and say, “Oo, kasi masarap under the saya.” Everyone laughs, and even Chin cannot hide her smile.
That kind of humor not only strengthens our bond but also shows others that respect and love can be expressed joyfully. We do not need to act too serious to prove our commitment. Our laughter already proves our happiness.
Green Humor as Flirtation
Beyond everyday jokes, there are moments when humor turns into flirtation. Filipino couples often use banter as foreplay, and it keeps the spark alive.
One time Chin bought a new dress. When she showed it to me, I jokingly said, “Maganda nga, pero mas maganda kung wala.” She threw a pillow at me, laughing, while her cheeks turned red. That playful teasing kept our intimacy alive without pressure. Humor gave us the freedom to express desire naturally.
In a culture where modesty is valued, humor becomes a bridge. It allows couples to talk about passion in a fun way. It keeps the romance vibrant without awkwardness.
Humor in Daily Routines
Even ordinary routines are flavored with humor in our marriage. Washing the dishes becomes a contest of who can make the funniest bubble mustache. Folding clothes becomes a mini fashion show, with each of us wearing something silly. Cooking becomes a comedy act, with exaggerated reactions to the taste of food.
These little moments are proof that humor is not reserved for special occasions. It is woven into the fabric of daily life. It turns chores into bonding, stress into laughter, and marriage into a playground of joy.
Growing Old with Laughter
Sometimes we imagine our future, growing old together. Chin once told me, “Pag tanda natin, baka wala na tayong ngipin, pero sana may jokes pa rin.” I answered, “Kung wala na tayong ngipin, tatawa pa rin tayo kahit puro hinga na lang ang tunog.” She laughed so hard at the image that tears rolled down her cheeks.
That picture of growing old with laughter comforts me. Wrinkles may come, energy may fade, but if humor stays, our love will never feel old.
Humor as a Spiritual Gift
Filipinos often connect humor with resilience. We laugh even in the face of storms and trials. For me, humor in marriage is also a spiritual gift. It is God’s way of reminding us not to take ourselves too seriously, to enjoy the gift of companionship, and to be thankful for each other’s quirks.
Every laugh shared with Chin feels like a small prayer of gratitude. Humor becomes not only a tool for survival but also an expression of love, joy, and faith.
Humor with In-Laws During Handaan
In every Filipino family, a handaan is never complete without food piled on the table and jokes flying around like confetti. When Chin and I visit her family during birthdays or fiestas, I always know what to expect. The long table filled with pancit, lumpia, lechon, and countless other dishes becomes the stage for laughter as much as for eating.
One time during her cousin’s birthday, I was so focused on attacking the lechon that my father-in-law said, “Raymond, baka maubos mo na yan, baka pati ulo kainin mo pa.” The whole family laughed, and I laughed along even as I was caught red handed with a crispy piece of skin in my mouth.
Her uncles are natural comedians too. They like to joke about me being under the saya. “Si Raymond, ang bait, parang may tali ni Chin, kahit saan kasama.” Instead of denying it, I shot back with a smile, “Oo, kasi masarap under the saya, libre pagkain at libre halik pa.” The whole table erupted with laughter, and Chin blushed but could not help laughing too.
In moments like that, I realize humor is a bridge with my in-laws. It makes me feel welcome. It also shows them that I can laugh at myself, that I am not stiff or too sensitive. Humor turns me from “the outsider who married their daughter” into part of the family.
Videoke Nights with the In-Laws
Nothing beats a Filipino gathering without videoke. The machine gets set up, the microphone passed around, and the fun begins. In Chin’s family, videoke nights are filled not just with music but with endless laughter.
I remember one Christmas when her tito grabbed the mic and belted out “My Way.” Everyone immediately joked, “Huwag masyadong seryosohin, baka may mangyari.” We all laughed because of the infamous reputation of that song.
When my turn came, I sang a love song for Chin. Halfway through, her cousins started teasing me, shouting “Kiss! Kiss!” I pretended to wipe sweat from my forehead like a nervous concert performer, and then gave Chin a small kiss on the cheek. The crowd cheered as if they were at Araneta Coliseum. That night, my duet with Chin turned into a comedy act because we kept making exaggerated dramatic gestures while singing. Her siblings laughed so hard they recorded us on their phones.
It was moments like those that reminded me how humor does not only live between husband and wife but also flows into the family. Videoke becomes more than a chance to sing. It becomes an arena for jokes, teasing, and bonding.
Humor with the Mothers
I also learned quickly that Filipino mothers have their own sense of humor. Chin’s mom loves to tease me about my appetite. Whenever I visit, she says, “Raymond, konti lang luto ko ha, baka maubos mo agad.” She says it with a grin, and then still gives me an extra serving of adobo.
I joke back, “Nang, ang konti ng luto ninyo, baka magutom ako.” Everyone laughs, and she shakes her head, pretending to be annoyed while secretly pleased. That kind of playful exchange makes me feel like I am not just a son-in-law but like her own son.
Banter During Family Bonding
Even simple bonding moments carry humor. Once, we joined a family outing to the beach. While swimming, Chin’s cousins challenged me to race with them in the water. I was confident at first, but halfway I realized I was out of breath. They teased me, “Raymond, baka nalunod ka na.” I gasped and answered, “Hindi, nagtatago lang ako sa ilalim para manalo.” Everyone laughed, and Chin shook her head while smiling at me.
On the ride home, the teasing continued. They called me “Aquaman na hingalin” and the nickname stuck for a while. Instead of being embarrassed, I laughed along. That small moment turned into another family joke we carried into the next gathering.
Laughter as Family Glue
These family jokes and teases may seem small, but they create warmth. They are proof that humor is not only a lifesaver in marriage but also a lifeline in family relationships. Humor keeps handaan light even when the work of cooking and cleaning is heavy. Humor makes videoke unforgettable even if the singing is off key. Humor turns teasing into bonding, and awkwardness into belonging.
For me, being able to laugh with Chin’s family is part of respecting and loving her. Marriage in the Filipino setting is never just between two people. It is a joining of families. And laughter becomes the common language that makes the merging smoother.
Reflection
At the end of the day, humor at home with Chin and humor with her family are threads of the same cloth. They weave joy into the everyday. They soften misunderstandings, strengthen bonds, and create memories that will last for years.
If our marriage is a song, then humor is the chorus that repeats again and again, reminding us why we love. If family life is a feast, then humor is the extra serving that makes us feel full even when the plate is empty.
And every time I look at Chin and her family laughing together, I know I am truly blessed. Humor has not only saved our marriage during rough times. It has also welcomed me fully into the circle of love that surrounds us.
At the end of the day, humor is more than just entertainment. It is a glue that binds us, a shield against life’s storms, a spark that keeps romance alive. Clean or green, witty or corny, our jokes remind us daily that marriage is not only about responsibilities and sacrifices. It is also about laughter, play, and fun.
Humor is truly a lifesaver. It saves us from boredom, from bitterness, from despair. It turns ordinary days into extraordinary memories. And in the Filipino setting, where humor is woven into every celebration, every struggle, and every love story, it becomes one of the most precious treasures in a marriage.
When I look at Chin and remember all our jokes, I realize that our laughter is proof of our love. And I pray that no matter what happens, no matter how hard life may get, we will always find reasons to laugh together.
ns216.73.216.174da2
and then Add to home screen.