Found You: Alumni Love Stories
A lot of people might believe that entering college is just a stepping stone for their career – a critical stage in our lives where we get to encounter various things. Due to the serious environment, we often forget that this is also the stage where we get to meet new friends, build new memories, have numerous “chikahan” sessions, laugh and cry during exam seasons, and of course, where we find love. Yes, love.
As I was growing up my mom kept reminding me to finish college first before finding love. She said that so I could avoid any distractions while pursuing my dream. I knew her intention was good: for me to be able to focus on my career. But a younger Camille didn’t believe that love is a distraction, but rather, an inspiration.
On our campus, some students were able to meet their soulmates by being classmates, being old family friends or being introduced by friends, and even by having their eyes meet while working on Resto 101.
Here are some of the cute love stories and lessons to prove that there are no accidental meetings between souls:
- The sweetest cake.
- An awkward and cute meet..
- The little things you do matter..
- A Cute Excuse
- Friends to Lovers.
Katrina was a student at the Wynsum Campus while Christian transferred from ADMU in 2008 to the McKinley Campus. They were classmates in CA102 in 2009 and after 2 years (2011), they were re-introduced to each other by some common friends. They became an official couple in August that year.
A little situation at the pastry kitchen led to their most memorable moment as a couple. Katrina was a student employee in the pastry kitchen and had a project with Chef Cy, which is to make a special order cake. Christian, who was working at Resto 101 decided to drop by the pastry kitchen on his break and helped Chef Cy and Katrina with the icing and decoration of the cake. The next day, Katrina surprised Christian with a cake and guess what? It was the cake that he had helped Chef Cy and Katrina make. It was for his birthday!
In April 2014 they both went to Chatham, Ma, USA and stayed until January of 2015. Their relationship was put to test throughout those nine months. They were basically together almost 24/7 as they were living under one roof and sharing chores. 2017 was the year when Christian finally proposed to Katrina and they had a civil wedding a few months after. They went back to the US for work and flew back to Manila for two weeks to have their church wedding.
When asked about their most valuable lesson that they learned as a couple their response was this: There isn’t just one, everyday you learn new things as a couple. Patience, no matter what you have to be patient with each other. Never ever let your partner get hungry, that’s when tempers and patience will be tested and home is where you are together no matter where it may be, as long as we are in each other’s arms.
Evangeline and Domiku were both born and raised in Cebu, and their parents were old family friends. Even though they occasionally got invited to each other’s birthdays at a young age, they hardly knew each other. We can say that they came from two different worlds. Domiku was more carefree while Evangeline was the studious one. Their paths never crossed until they both attended the same college in Manila: Enderun Colleges. Fate brought them together.
“Hi, I’m Vangie! Our parents know each other. Your mom is also my Godmother!” Those were Evangeline’s first words to Domiku, to which he replied “cool.” They were tasked to find each other and introduce themselves. But those were their only words spoken during their college years and they never found interest in each other because they were both trying to figure out college life. One thing was certain though, Domiku was overwhelmed by how pretty Evangeline was and thought to himself, “she is definitely way out of my league.”
Years passed, they graduated college but they met again one Friday night. A night where Domiku mustered up all of his courage to ask for Evangeline’s number, and the night which symbolizes the start of their relationship. After a few years they got really close and went to dinners, movie dates, and triathlons. Together they have competed in over 20 triathlons.
January 13, 2018 was when Domiku married his triathlon partner, his hiking partner, and his best friend.
Their lesson learned is that, Love is a lot like tea. Unlike coffee, love is not intense passion, strong aroma from afar, where just 1 cup can give you your fill.
But more like tea, where love grows with every cup, no spikes, something you can drink at any time of the day, all day, every day. Something you are slowly learning and developing an appreciation for.
Aika and Ivan met when they were both working at Resto 101, their eyes meeting over the pot wash area. It was Aika’s first day at work and she was looking for something when Ivan showed up and helped her look for it, introducing himself. After a long day of service, they both realised that they loved hanging out with each other.
After 3 years of being together, Ivan proposed to Aika during his birthday in 2015. They decided that it was best to have the wedding in the Philippines. On May 21, 2016, they had their wedding at Sanctuario de San Antonio Parish and had their reception at the tent at Enderun.
Alex and Paco met through a friend from Enderun. Since Alex was a student employee, she would always remember how Paco would bring her snacks in the business center. Sometimes Paco would bring coffee and sometimes sandwiches. Paco would randomly go to the business center to have some papers photocopied as an excuse (he didn’t need those to be photocopied) to start a conversation with Alex.
After being together for seven years, they got married in a Christian church with their family and friends.
For both couples, putting God at the center of your relationship is the lesson they learned as a couple.
Rain and Piero started as “barkada” until they felt comfortable with each other’s company with or without their friends. That was when they started dating. They graduated together in 2013, which was a great chapter of their lives: they were able to graduate within 4 years with a full course load each semester and two full internships.
In 2016, without Rain’s knowledge, Piero had asked her parents for their permission to marry Rain to which her parents agreed. They both went to Japan and made sure to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (being the potterheads they were) in Universal Studios Japan. After a few rides, they found a spot by the lake of the Hogwarts Castle and little did Rain know the proposal had already been planned out. They planned their wedding shortly after and a year later they finally got married.
For this couple, respect is of utmost importance is the most valuable lesson they learned. According to them, proper communication with listening included is the key to understanding each other. Respect goes a long way and helps them have a healthy and happy relationship.
For those people out there, don’t lose hope in finding your soulmate. They might be a classmate from your zoom meetings, a fellow workmate from your internship, or even a teammate in an online game. Don’t limit yourself to online classes, meet new people and have fun. Life is the flower for which love is the honey. – Victor Hugo
