Because the fragrance of love is unmistakably in the air this Valentine’s month, we decided to sit down with eight of our favorite Cebuano couples who were kind enough to humor us and answer questions about love, relationships and their not-so-dangerous fantasy liaisons.
Pazu Eteve, Mövenpick Resort & Spa purchasing manager, and Meg Eteve, Manny O Wines communications director—married for 15 years
Tell us how you met.
We met in our first year of college in our Political Science class at DLSU. Too much time cutting classes did it for us.
Where did you spend Valentine’s Day this year?
At home with the kids. We never really bought into the whole Valentine’s Day celebrations. We’ve had more memorable dates throughout the year—spontaneity is key.
What, for you, is the most romantic spot in Cebu?
Our bedroom.
What is the best surprise you’ve received from each other?
P: When she told me she was pregnant the first time. And the second, third and fourth…
M: When he changes tempo. When he behaves in a way that is out of the ordinary. That floors me more than grand gestures.
What do you think makes your relationship work?
P: In the words of the great Chicane, “Don’t give up.” Breaking up should never be an option.
M: Accepting that at different times throughout a marriage, it is often held together only by one thing. Humor, for example, or the kids, or a dream that you both share.
We know fidelity is a huge part of making your relationship work, but who would you make an exception for?
P: Alessandra Ambrosio
M: Right this very minute? Michael Fassbender.
Paolo Quisumbing, real-estate developer, and Caroline Malagar, LAVA clothing brand proprietor and designer—dating for eight years
Tell us how you met.
C: Our parents were friends, our families knew each other, and we both studied in Manila. We only met after college, when we were both back in Cebu. We met at Paolo’s factory when I was looking for furniture for our house.
What, for you, is the most romantic spot in Cebu?
We love the beach, so we always find ourselves going back to Cowrie Cove at The Shangri-La in Mactan.
What do you think makes your relationship work?
We’re both easygoing and we like the same things. But what really makes us work is the solid foundation that we started out with—friendship.
Which couples do you admire?
We always marvel at older couples whose relationships have stood the test of time. Our parents have always set unspoken precedents when it comes to relationships, values, and matters close to the heart.
David Overton, vice president of Glory Reborn, and Hilary Overton, president/ founder of Glory Reborn, a nonprofit maternity care clinic, www.gloryreborn.org—married for eight years
Tell us how you met.
H: Our moms were in pregnancy classes together! We didn’t meet again until we were 18 years old, when we met at a concert and became friends.
Where did you spend Valentine’s Day this year?
D: Hilary has medical school exams the day after Valentine’s, so we stayed home this year where I cooked a romantic dinner of some of her favorite cuisine.
What, for you, is the most romantic spot in Cebu?
H: Glory Reborn, where the fruit of romance is being born daily!
D: Our bedroom.
D and H: Cebu’s most romantic spot is the beach—our favorite is Moalboal, where a little resort sets up romantic candlelight dinners on the beach.
What is the best surprise you’ve received from each other?
D: The best surprise has to be when I proposed to Hilary. It was September 2002, and she was leaving for the Philippines to start Glory Reborn, and the night before she left I planned to propose.
I took her to a beach in San Diego where I played my guitar and sang a love song I had written for her. I then got down on my knee, got the ring out, and proposed. By this time it was already dark, and as I knelt there waiting for her answer, she took the ring and asked, “Is this thing real?” Then she dropped it into the sand!
Luckily we found it in the sand. My frantic search confirmed the ring’s authenticity and she agreed to marry me.
Which couples do you admire?
D: My parents—they have been in love and married for 39 years.
H: My grandparents—they have been happily married for 64 years!
Miguel Osmeña, businessman and food enthusiast, and Bea Villegas, call-center trainer—dating for seven years
Tell us how you met.
B: Our parents introduced us to each other during my dad’s reunion concert (Viscounts). We initially met when we were kids in an uncle’s beach house in Toledo, but we were too young to remember.
Where did you spend Valentine’s Day this year?
Baguio. It’s a beautiful place! We went with friends; it was so much fun.
What, for you, is the most romantic spot in Cebu?
For memories’ sake, we’d say Tops.
What is the best gift you’ve received from each other?
Patience and silence. We both love to bicker and try to outdo each other.
What do you think makes your relationship work?
We both lead our own lives and this enables us to grow as individuals. We don’t hold each other down.
We know fidelity is a huge part of making your relationship work, but who would you make an exception for?
We plead the fifth!
Tining Martinez, entrepreneur, and Jennifer Martinez, yoga enthusiast—married for six years
Tell us how you met.
J: According to Tining, he first saw me at the mall with my friends and then decided to ask around for my number. The person who ended up giving it to him was my ex-boyfriend!
How do you usually spend Valentine’s Day?
We prefer to keep our options open. One time we went out for dinner to a nice restaurant, which had just opened, but after the meal we both decided to get takeout elsewhere because the servings were just too small!
What are your favorite spots in Cebu?
We love the outdoors, especially the beach, and we think that all the best beaches are in the northern part of Cebu, where both our families are from.
What is the best surprise you’ve received from each other?
T: The most memorable one was when she told me that she was pregnant first with our son, then with our daughter.
Carlo Villarica, online entrepreneur at zerothreetwo.com, and Stephanie Señires, recruitment marketing specialist—dating for close to three years
Tell us how you met.
C: My friends and I were at our usual watering hole. Then I noticed an extremely attractive woman approaching our table. It turned out she knew most of the guys. Once she left, I said, “bai… she’s hot!” Turns out she was my friend Mark’s cousin.
Where did you spend Valentine’s Day this year?
C: We went to Clark to watch the 17th International Hot Air Festival. But since we love to eat out, we still had a nice and simple dinner at Antica Osteria.
What, for you, is the most romantic spot in Cebu?
C: Shangri-La during the day and Anzani/Bellini at night.
We know fidelity is a huge part of making your relationship work, but who would you make an exception for?
S: George Clooney, Channing Tatum and John Lloyd Cruz!
C: Channing can kiss my ass!
Rick Aznar-Beane, hospital administrator, and Carissa Aznar-Beane, writer—married for five years
Tell us how you met.
C: Rick and I met at Vudu. I was living in Manila at the time, going to college. He was in Cebu, helping his family business. He thought I had a cute outfit, I thought he had a really nice shirt on.
How did you spend Valentine’s Day this year?
C: Rick wanted to go out somewhere, but I just wanted to open up a few bottles of bubbly for me and some whiskey for him. We had homemade food, put the two daughters to bed, and then watched our favorite shows.
What, for you, is the most romantic spot in Cebu?
There are so many romantic spots, especially the undiscovered ones south of the Province. The ocean breeze, the sand, the atmosphere make Cebu a romantic place to be in.
What is the best gift you’ve received from each other?
C: The most important thing is the affirmation of love and support we give each other.
What makes your relationship work?
C: Humor. He makes me laugh. And even if I’m really cranky, he still tries to make me laugh, which makes me even crankier.
Who are the other couples you admire?
Will and Jada Smith. Have you seen how talented their children are?
We know fidelity is a huge part of making your relationship work, but who would you make an exception for?
C: George Clooney and Ryan Gosling.
Guido and Mary Ty Apares, fashion designer—married
Tell us how you met.
M: I was an advertising student and I was looking for a model with long hair for a hair commercial. The model we had originally booked had ditched us, then lo and behold, he walks by with hair down to his bum!
What is the best gift you’ve received from each other?
G: It was a letter sent via snail mail with my first-grade picture attached to remind her how adorable I was. The best gift I’ve received was probably a facial and hot-oil treatment from her just before we had to film that hair commercial!
M: The best gift I’ve given him is the rest of my life! The best surprise I received from him was my engagement ring inside a matchbox!
What makes your relationship work?
Our faith has definitely helped make our relationship stronger. We also make sure we celebrate Valentine’s Day every chance we get, and not just on Feb. 14.
Who are the other couples you admire?
M: Will and Jada Smith! They said in an interview that divorce is never an option. My parents’ marriage is also a good example; they’ve stayed together and gotten over so many hurdles with prayers and love for family.
G: My parents are amazing, and they’ve done such a great job raising five kids!
