January 2015

Funny enough, I had no memory of seeing him at Chuck and Grace’s wedding—our friends—until I stumbled upon a photo four years into our relationship. There he was, in the background, completely unassuming. Looking back, I can’t help but think it was part of God’s plan. At that time, he wasn’t even in the Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon Community yet. Maybe we weren’t meant to meet just then—perhaps we had some growing to do first.

God does have the best timing.

September 2016

By then, he had been serving in Lingkod for about eight months. Out of the blue, he texted me about some service-related concerns—his subtle way of starting our very first conversation. A few weeks of chatting later, I happened to mention how I never learned to ride a bike as a kid. That’s when he “offered” to teach me—though let’s be honest, it felt more like an excuse to hang out.

He brought me here, saying it was just for "snacks," but in my head, it felt like a date. I still remember how a bottle of hot sauce almost flew off the roof… and how we almost got banned. It was chaotic, silly, and unforgettable.

Looking back, I think that moment was the beginning of something neither of us saw coming. 😂

October 2016

We attended the National Leaders Training Conference of Lingkod in Iloilo with our brothers and sisters in the community. After the event, a few of us decided to go on a little side trip to Bacolod. That’s when it happened—he started falling for me.

Was it the fresh air? The sugar rush from Bacolod’s famous treats? Maybe. But really, it was my beauty and my sheer determination to finish a super challenging obstacle course—one that, for the record, he didn’t finish. 😌

Let’s just say, that day, someone got a little more than sore muscles—he caught feelings. 😂

July 9, 2017

After ten months of prayer and intentional courting, we finally made it official. One of the things we truly valued from our community's teachings was honoring those who journey with us—so the first people we shared the news with were our dear friends and mentors, Chuck and Grace Dilao. They had been such a steady presence, guiding and encouraging us through that first year of our relationship.

About a year later, we entered the Marriage Discernment Program of Lingkod—a big step that we took with open hearts and lots of prayers. With the guidance of Kuya Jun and Ate Vannie Ocampo, two leaders we deeply admire, we learned to navigate our differences with grace and understanding. Their wisdom and example didn't just prepare us for marriage—they inspired us to become a stronger, more Christ-centered couple.

August 2018

Through the Discovery Weekend retreat, we came face to face with our differences—and, more importantly, how we respond to them. It led us into one of the most honest and meaningful conversations we’ve ever had, helping us understand how to navigate our emotions with grace and empathy.

The retreat gave us a glimpse of what married life could look like. Each couple we met had their own unique story, but one beautiful truth tied them all together: they had been saved by God, and they chose to make Him the center of their marriage.

One of the biggest lessons we took home was this: to build a love that lasts, we need a heart that never tires of loving and forgiving. And that kind of love isn’t found—it’s formed, day by day, with God at the center.

Sidenote: Yes, we were batchmates with Slater and Kryz Young! 😅❤️ Starstruck? A little. But mostly spirit-filled and grateful.

April 26, 2025

It was a sunny Saturday afternoon when he invited me to the San Franciscan Church in Milagro for what he called a simple “day of prayer.” The church itself was closed, so we found ourselves in the quiet chapel nearby. It felt peaceful, just the two of us, and I thought it would be a day of reflection and rest.

Before we began, he kept asking, “What should we do first?”—a little more anxious than usual. I suggested we start with worship, and he agreed. But then came the exhortation—long, heartfelt, with dramatic pauses and him pacing back and forth like he was about to preach a retreat. That’s when it hit me: something’s up.

I tried to keep my cool and just listened, letting the moment unfold.

After a while, we sat and talked—really talked—about our relationship, the joys and the challenges, and how God had been at the center of it all. Then he stood up, excused himself for a moment... and when I turned around, there he was, on one knee, asking me to be his wife.

It was a beautiful, sacred moment—quiet, simple, and full of love. ❤️