Buenos Aires, Argentina – Juan Pan Peralta and Florencia Méndez Trongé have been married for 36 years; they have 12 children and 8 grandchildren. They were among ten long-term married couples recognized at UPF-Argentina’s 16th annual event, “Family and the Common Good,” held on May 29, 2024 to mark the International Day of Families. About 100 participants attended the event at the Gerardo Mastroianni Hall of the APSEE Association in Buenos Aires.
Mr. Peralta and his wife married the same year they met; at the time they had only their wedding rings, a few pieces of furniture, and the dream of raising a big family. They said the first years were frantic, with five kids arriving in five years, that also involved moving and changing jobs. Then, time seemed to slow down. Nowadays, they look back with gratitude for having a home “where each life is celebrated as a marvelous gift from God.”
The ten couples represented a range of social and religious backgrounds. José Fernández and Josefa Silva Castro have been married 31 years. Mr. Fernandez is an Argentinian-Spanish chemical engineer and teacher; his wife is a Spanish honorary vice-consul in Puerto San Julián, Santa Cruz Province; they have four children and eight grandchildren.
And Ernesto Pitton and María Teresa Straface will celebrate their golden anniversary next year. They built their home following the work ethic and family values inherited from their Italian parents, who came to Argentina in pursuit of a peaceful life. They honor their family legacy by joining, with their three children, the “Radici” Italian ballet, created and directed by their youngest daughter Mariel.
Emanuel Sayavedra, UPF-Argentina secretary general, and Mónica Sudrot, member of Latin American Social Clown Psychologists, served as MCs.
Martín Fernández, secretary for tourism and recreation from the APSEE Association, gave the welcoming remarks, followed by María Amalia Caballero, president of the Sembrar Valores organization. She is a journalist and part of a network of professionals who promote values.
UPF-Argentina President Miguel Werner and his wife Alba Luz Tangarife presented certificates to the couples, and provided roses for each husband to give to his wife. They then invited each couple to share something about their life together, which proved both moving and entertaining to the audience.
The program concluded with a Radici Italian ballet created and directed by choreographer Mariel Pitton Straface specially for the occasion, with everyone clapping to the music.
