Hazel and I were classmates back in high school. We always had something between us but we never gave it a try. 7 years after (in 2017), I went back to the Philippines for the very first time since 2009. One day, I just asked her to tour me around as I have not been in PH for such a long time. She agreed! YAY! After her work, she met me at Starbucks somewhere in BGC, we went for a dinner at a Thai place. Caught up with each other. Grabbed a couple drinks. Then I sent her home as she have work the next day. We went on a second date on that same PH trip. When I went back to US, I kept messaging her and then eventually courted her through video calls and text messages. We only made it official when I went back to PH in June 2018 when I kneeled down on the white sand of Siargao and she agreed to be my girlfriend! It's true. It was difficult to be in a long distance relationship but we made it work! We talked to each other EVERY SINGLE DAY! #clingy :) Whenever I'm in PH -- We travel. We eat. We watch movies. Sing in karaoke. Go on fancy dates. She's the best thing that happened to me and I am lucky to be marrying her. Ohhh! Did I mention? We have the same birthday -- October 8. I'm 1992, and she's 1993.

Let me start by saying -- proposing is harder than it looks and it's not as cinematic like in the movies. LOL In Filipino tradition, the guy ask the parents for permission first before marrying but I took a different approach. (I think I am covered under some sort of special long distance relationship rule that I am allowed to break norms and tradition. HAHA) I took her on a luxurious dinner for our monthsary on December 26, 2018 in Manila Peninsula. The food was AMAZING and just romantic ambiance -- it couldn't be more perfect! She even made a well timed joke, she said "Hubby, kung ganito kasarap food, sasagutin kita ng YES if you ask me to marry you..." Little does she know that it is happening. :D So I went on a "bathroom break" and waved at the girl receptionist to come outside for a bit. I gave her the ring and asked her to put it on the dessert we ordered. Then she told me that they are giving away complimentary cake that night and it couldn't be any more perfect than that. So I told her to put it on that instead. They served us our desserts and she was speechless as she saw the ring shining on top of the cake. I kneeled down and asked her to marry me. SHE SAID YES! Best Christmas gift I could have ever asked for. P.S. Guys, don't go on too many bathroom breaks when you try to propose! LOL After the proposal, she said she got a hint that it's happening 'cause I went to the bathroom more often than usual and saw the receptionist go outside unexpectedly. Also, make sure someone was taking a video of the proposal. HAHAHA