Love, Actually: 10 Kilig Love Stories from SP Moms & Dads

SP Love Story Number 1: End to an old maid's tale

Christopher and Charo Adriano
Just when Charo Antonio thought she would live the life of an old maid, love came along. Here's her story.

“Do you believe in the saying that things will happen when you least expect them? I do. I was single for six years, and I was already losing hope of ever getting married.  My friends and relatives kept teasing me about this. A fortune teller once told me that I haven't met my future husband yet, and I wondered if that time would ever come. I was already resigned to the possibility of ending up as an old maid, and prayed to St. Jude to help me accept it if this was my fate.

I tried mobile chatting out of boredom and that's when Chris and I “met” online. We hit it off instantly. He would constantly send short messages. However, our supposed first meeting was called off and I was so frustrated that I stopped replying.

Two years later, we reconnected and he pursued me consistently until we finally met in person. When he had mustered enough courage to formally court me, he braved my father's guns (figurative only, I must say) and promised him that he will love me and will never hurt me.

Chris proposed to me six months later; not exactly during dinner by candlelight, but it was grand to me just the same. We got married on October 16, 2010.  Who would have thought that within a year after seeing each other again, I would become Mrs. Christopher Adriano?  Until now he remains to be the simple man from Nueva Ecija whom I fell for. Everything he does makes me realize just how lucky I am that he chose me to spend his life with. Looking back, I realize that I shouldn’t have wasted my tears waiting for the right man; God definitely has a plan for each and everyone, and we only need to have faith."

 

Click here to read SP Love Story Number 2: Fasttrack to forever – Raffy and France dela Fuente.

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SP Love Story Number 2: Fasttrack to forever

Raffy and France dela Fuente
France shares her uncertainties, hope, and joy when the marriage proposal finally came.

“Raffy and I were officemates, who quickly became friends. Our relationship developed through chat, and one Valentine's Day, I saw a bouquet of flowers on my desk. They were from Raffy.
 
After that, we exclusively dated. I would never forget the night he told me, "Love me now and I'll court you forever.” I said yes.  

I got pregnant after months, and although everything went too fast for us, I didn’t want to pressure him to get married. Whenever my parents asked what our plans were, I always told them that we were still sorting things out.
 
Three months before my due date, he set up a lavish dinner for the two of us. Then, to my surprise, he got down on his knees, gave me a ring and asked me to marry him. I never thought that he would propose at that time. His gesture proved to me that he truly loved me. We will be celebrating our fourth year together this March and we've never been happier.

 

Click here to see Love Story Number 3: From family friends to lovers - Jay and Sheina Grifaldo.

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SP Love Story Number 3: From family friends to lovers

Jay and Sheina Grifaldo
Sheina and Jay Grifaldo's marriage could've been arranged from the start. Fate and destiny made them plot their love story themselves. Sheina narrates the funny and thrilling moments on how she met her future husband.

”My mother and Jay’s were best friends since high school. Many years after, they chanced upon each other and caught up on all the years they missed. Our families would be together on occasions but Jay and I never really got the chance to be formally introduced to each other.  

While working as an auditor, I was assigned to work on a task for a certain company. I told my mom about it and she told me to look for Jay, her friend's son who works there, and to introduce myself. It was break time when I decided to look for him, and I passed by this guy with long hair in a pony tail wearing a blue suit and cover-alls. He looked pretty messy. He was greasy all over up to his arms, and I thought, too bad, because he was kind of cute. I asked him for directions to the HR department and he accompanied me. I asked the staff if he knew someone by the name of Jay Grifaldo and she replied “Ma’am yun pong kasama nyo kanina yung naghatid sa inyo, yun po si Jay (Ma’am, the guy who accompanied you here, that’s Jay).”  I didn't recognize him, and he didn’t recognize me either.  

One day during lunch break, as I was holding the food tray and looked for a table, he saw me and immediately grabbed a chair for me and another officemate. Very gentlemanly of him, I thought.  Apparently, he already had a hunch that time that I was the daughter of his mom’s best friend. The moment of introduction was funny. I immediately felt at ease talking to him that we decided to go home together that afternoon since we lived in the same town. I waited for him near the shuttle service station and to my big surprise, he emerged clean and neat looking. I found him very handsome even with his long hair.

That was the beginning of our friendship. After five months, we realized that we were falling in love with each other. Three years after, we got married and of course, who would be happier than our mothers?  Now blessed with three beautiful girls, Jay and I will be celebrating our eighth anniversary this June."


Click here to read SP Love Story Number 4: Midnight mass miracle – Jasper and Czarina Valencia.

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SP Love Story Number 4: Midnight mass miracle

Jasper and Czarina Valencia
A "Simbang Gabi" wish for Czarina Marcelino came true a few months later in the form of Jasper Valencia. The year was 2003.  Czar now tells her fairy tale:

“We Filipinos believe that a wish made on the last morning of the Simbang Gabi will come true if you complete the nine-day novena. In December 2003, I wished that God would give me a man who would love me dearly... and like a fairy tale it did come true.

'Miss, may extra pen ka pa?' Those were his first words to me and I answered 'No', seeing him as a competitor. We were both fresh graduates applying for a job at Ortigas. I turned my back on him and he overheard me tell my friend 'Nag a-apply, walang ballpen!' and he thought 'Ang suplada naman nun!'. He checked my name on the registration sheet, trying to remember and pronounce it correctly before leaving. After my interview, I was short listed to come back for training.

I was late for the first day of training and everyone was already seated according to birth month when I arrived. I found myself placed beside Jasper who immediately recognized me as the "snob". We became seat mates throughout the training. Every day he would check if I had already eaten. He was really handsome but I never noticed this because I was too focused on my work. Later on, we became friends but we hardly had time to hang out. He would bring me home even if we lived far apart. These qualities, plus his openness, made me fall in love with him.

He was soon scheduled to leave for abroad and we had to end our relationship. We parted ways at the LRT station and when I was sure he was out of sight, I cried.  It was like a scene from a movie.  I was so heartbroken.  

A week later we had a serious talk.  Needless to say, we got back together and our relationship became stronger. He was meant to stay, and the rest is history.”


Click here to see SP Love Story Number 5: To Sir with love – Charlie and Hazel Regilme.

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SP Love Story Number 5: To Sir with love

Charlie and Hazel Regilme
33-year-old Hazel Regilme is known as manang_biday in the SP Forums. She is married to 41 year old Charlie Regilme, who used to be her professor. They now live in Taguig City but before they had three children, this is what happened.
 
“My classmate found our Sociology professor cute and intelligent. She had a big crush on him, in fact. True, his sense of humor was great but I thought he was so full of himself.

In one particular class where our topic was about love, he called my name to recite. I was unprepared but nevertheless, I stood up and I quoted the meaning of love from the Bible. He later admitted that he was impressed with how I delivered my explanation.

Semestral break came and my classmates wanted to treat him for being a good instructor. I was tasked to call and invite him about the “treat” but we ended up talking on the phone until dawn. I remember he was telling me “Ilalagay ko sa pedestal ang babaeng mamahalin ko”.  Before I knew it, we fell for each other. That group date was followed by several exclusive dates.

Because of the school's policy on campus relationships, he resigned from the University and focused on his full time job as a court employee. In time we got married and he continued to support my studies. He went back to teaching after I gave birth to our firstborn.”


Click here to read SP Love Story Number 6: Mr. Popularity meets Miss Nerdy – Marlon and Luisa Tacason.

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SP Love Story Number 6: Mr. Popularity meets Miss Nerdy

Marlon and Luisa Tacason
She's a high school nerd and he's the popular guy in campus. You think a match like this only happens in the movies? See how Luisa and Marlon Tacason realized that opposites attract, at the right time, of course.

“I knew Marlon since high school. He was my classmate then and my ultimate crush, but of course he was not aware of it. He didn't know I existed. We belonged to different circles of friends – he had popular (and sometimes arrogant) buddies while I was with the quiet and nerdy group. He was one of the most popular guys in high school so there was really no way for him to notice me. We graduated from high school with nary a "hi" nor "hello" to each other.

We went to different universities for college but I was able to maintain my communication with some of my classmates. Some of them went to the same university as Marlon. One day in my sophomore year, I hung out with my high school friends and one of them asked me if I want to get Marlon’s number, and of course I did.  We became text mates and phone pals without him knowing who I really was. This went on for several months, until such time came when he kept insisting that we meet. I got scared and stopped communicating. I didn’t have the guts to reveal myself for fear I'd get rejected, because I never considered myself attractive, not in high school days and not in the present time.

I moved on, focused much on my studies, and excelled in my subjects. I got into a relationship and so did he. I graduated, passed the board, had my first job, and everything seemed to go well for me. As for Marlon, I heard he passed the board too.
 
I broke up with my first boyfriend after five years. Just a few months after the heartache, our high school friends organized a reunion. I saw this guy in a red shirt and a dark complexion, and he didn’t look anything like Marlon. But it was him after all. His appearance was a far cry from his high school image, but something remained - his silence and heartwarming smile. It was a night of talks, reminiscing, and laughter. I couldn’t count the times I caught him staring at me.

I smiled every time he threw a glance at my direction but the reunion ended without a meaningful exchange. Instead, two of his buddies asked for my number and showed interest. They kept on sending me messages and sweet nothings but still I had only Marlon in mind. Soon we were back to texting each other. If he suspected anything about our anonymous text exchange earlier, he did not mention it. We became friends and shared the same interests. He eventually won my trust. A real tough man, a loving son and a caring brother to his family - what else can a woman ask for? We got married after three years. All our classmates were surprised when they heard the news and like us, they also believed that we are truly a perfect match.”

Click here to read SP Love Story Number 7: Eye doctor heals heart - Chris and Ivy Medina.

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SP Love Story Number 7: Eye doctor heals heart

Chris and Ivy Medina
Ivy Roselyn Medina shared a patient-doctor relationship with optometrist Chris. Their relationship was complicated, but love prevailed. Here's her story:

“I was working in Dubai as a nurse and I needed a new pair of eyeglasses. My flatmate told me that she knew a fellow Filipino who works at the optical shop. That’s how I met Chris. After some tests and discussing basic tips for eye care (he now admits that he was trying to impress me) I was told to come back and pick up my eyeglasses after two days.

Later, my friend received a text from Chris asking if he could text me. I gave my consent thinking that it was a matter concerning my eyeglasses. I was in a relationship at that time and I wanted to be very careful. Days after, I got a message from Chris that he was at the lobby of the hospital where I worked and that he was there to deliver my eyeglasses. He didn't want to take my payment, insisting that he made them especially for me. I thought it was not proper, but nonetheless I thanked him and quickly got back to my duty. That night, he sent me a text saying he was sorry and all he wanted was for us to become friends. I turned him down, asking him stop texting me. He respected that and I never heard anything from him then on.
 
Weeks passed, and my boyfriend and I had a terrible fight. It was difficult to sustain a long distance relationship and we were on the verge of breaking up.  I felt so bad, lonely and tired that I unknowingly texted Chris just to have someone to talk to. He was out and busy at that moment but I still insisted. He replied "Why do you sound like a demanding girlfriend?" and that's when it all started. I began seeing Chris, who I was happy to discover was a very sincere man. Now we're happily married and blessed with a 1-year-old baby.”

 

Click here to read SP Love Story Number 8: Baby you can drive my bike - Choi and Mai.

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SP Love Story Number 8: Baby you can drive my bike –

Choi and Mai
Daddy Choi is a hands-on dad and a new daddy member of Smart Parenting Forums. In the middle of his forum inquiry and topics about immunizations, milk recommendations and HMOs, he took time to share with us his story. Let's read about how love happened for this biker husband.

“When Mai and I were introduced I knew immediately that I wanted to get to know her better. Text messages and calls became frequent. In spite of our differences, we shared a lot of common interests. I was glad for her sense of adventure, which worked well with my hobby as a motorcycle enthusiast. She would join me in our provincial tours and I enjoyed her company very much. She was never boring. As expected, I fell even deeper for her and that’s when our relationship started.

One of the most memorable dates we had involved a joyride at Luneta Park. I have no idea what crossed her mind, but she suddenly insisted that she wanted to learn how to drive a motorcycle that very moment, so I obliged. To cut the story short, she lost her balance and fell. I rushed to help her but a policeman also came and brought us to their headquarters for questioning. I tried to be her strength and kept assuring her as she was really scared being her first time to get apprehended. Thankfully things got sorted out, and we walked away from the headquarters with a smile and a lesson learned.

Our relationship had its ups and downs, but everything came to a halt when we got blessed with our first child, Baby Faye. I plan to make Mai my wife before this year ends.”

 

Click here to read SP Love Story Number 9: Make your move girl! - Nico and Mac.

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SP Love Story Number 9: Make your move girl!

Nico and Mac
Mac is a senior member of the SP Forums, who fell in love with Nico.  Who's to say that girls can't make the move?  

“Our story began in 1997 at the dawn of the Internet chatrooms. I was sleeping over at a friend’s house for our school thesis. As a breather from all the thinking, I logged in to the MIRc (a chat-based program). I entered a virtual room (named after a popular school), I saw his nick (code name for chatters), clicked on it, and said “Hi, good morning!” That’s how it all started. We chatted most of the time but failed to see each other in person during meet-ups or eyeballs in net lingo. We lost contact and I started to see someone else until the late summer of 1998.

Later on, I went back to chatting and there I stumbled upon him again. The conversations became more interesting and we also started talking on the phone. One night, he told me that he was going to Batangas for a friend, and as a joke I said “Sige, sama ako!” I was shocked when he answered “Okay, how do I go to your house? I’ll pick you up at 5 a.m.” He lived in Las Piñas and I was from Quezon City. That was the first time we actually saw each other after months of chatting and talking. After that day, we officially started going out.  

Nico was different from all the other guys I dated. He made me feel extra special. During a one-week retreat in Baguio, I realized how lonely it was to be away from him. When I saw wedding bands during a stroll to a shop with my friends, I bought a silver pair intending to give it to him as “his and hers” because I already knew that I wanted to be with him for the rest of my life. On the way home, our bus had engine trouble so the trip took longer.  Unable to wait, I borrowed my friend’s phone and texted him “Sorry to say this… I Love You!”.  But he did not reply! I was so embarrassed I felt I got turned down and rejected! I wanted to blame the network which, back then, was slow and unreliable. Then the phone started to ring, but when I answered, there was complete silence. I thought the line got cut off, but then he started to laugh. He said he couldn’t believe what he read. We’ve been a couple since. We got married on July 27, 2006 and now blessed with a wonderful son."

 

Click here to see SP Love Story Number 10: Starting over again - Fe and Mani Gloria.

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SP Love Story Number 10: Starting over again

Mani and Fe Gloria
Fe and Mani Gloria, both 57 years old, have plenty to share about love, pride and overcoming marriage obstacles. Here's their story in their own words:

Mani:
“I met Fe abroad as a fellow graduate student scholar and I was assigned to tutor her. The first time we met, I called her “dim-witted” for failing to complete a requirement that resulted to the delay of her papers. I soon found Fe to be intelligent, beautiful and talented. I decided I wanted a more permanent relationship with Fe. However, after we married, I discovered I was not ready to be a husband nor a family man. I hated to lose my independence and felt restricted.

When we returned from abroad, I worked while Fe stayed home. I didn’t include Fe in family-day activities at work so I could do as I pleased. Then when Fe took a job with a higher salary, I felt humiliated. I saw it as attacking my self-worth so I exacted revenge by staying out late. I preferred to think it was all Fe’s fault that I was behaving like that. For at least two decades, I did not acknowledge that I was making Fe miserable with my behavior. I also wanted her to forgive me without my asking, forget the things I had done, accept the blame, and change herself into someone I expected her to be.”

Fe:
“I first saw Mani’s picture alongside mine in our university paper’s announcement on students to be sent abroad for graduate studies. I told my cousin that ‘the guy’ was making me feel "really weird" and that I had a premonition that he would figure in my future. I looked forward to meeting him, imagining him to be a marvelous person. When we finally met, I was shocked and insulted when he called me “dim-witted.” I did not like Mani, but I still said “yes” when he later asked to see me more often and go out on dates. I enjoyed Mani’s company because I felt cared for and loved.

We got married and when our marriage started falling apart, I felt alone, rejected by the very man who I thought loved me. My health deteriorated, I felt helpless and I cried to the Lord, “How could marriage be my destiny when I am so full of sorrow and despair?” I prayed and read bible passages to lift my spirit.  I kept on inviting Mani to join me in many marriage enrichment seminars, and he would go with me, but it seemed to me that our relationship was not improving. I continued to feel miserable and disillusioned about marriage. Then in 2008 I heard about the Retrouvaille program, described as a lifeline for hurting marriages.  I asked Mani if we could go.”

Mani:
“I agreed to go with Fe because deep inside, I too wanted a loving and harmonious relationship, and I was aware that our marriage was indeed a hurting one. When the priest talked about a person’s body only being for his or her spouse and not for anyone else, I felt guilty like when Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. I then knew I had broken my marital vow - to love only Fe. When I asked Fe for forgiveness with great remorse, and she told me she had forgiven me long ago, I felt reassured. Thankful for getting a chance to prove myself to Fe, I resolved to do my very best as a caring, loving and trust-worthy husband.  I once again accept God’s wonderful gift in Fe and I try to live by His plan for our marriage.”

Fe:
I now feel like our marriage has started over. Sometimes I feel discouraged, but we are a “work in progress” and together we are more important than any struggle. Our journey can be like a bed of roses: even though there are thorns that can prick and injure, the beautiful petals are soft, and they exude a heavenly fragrance!

 

All illustrations are by the author.