DUBAI: Every week, some 25 Filipino couples tie the knot at the Philippine Consulate in Dubai – or about 1,200 a year.
Of this figure, The Filipino Times found out that a number, at least five of the 25, were couples who had gone through years of being in a long distance relationships (LDR), where one has been in Dubai for quite some time, while the other has remained in the Philippines and was later on “sponsored” by the partner and found a job, the happy ending of which is that they lived happily ever following an exchange of vows in a ceremony officiated by consuls or even Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes, himself.
“Long distance relationships that have actually resulted in marriages,” Cortes told TFT, “are proof that geographical distance is certainly not a hindrance to a love that sees no bounds.”
Love without borders
Indeed, love sees no bounds. And Dubai, it seems, is proving to be among places in the world where lovers’ dreams of finally being together despite the odds of LDR and starting off with a family life, come true.
Indeed, Dubai makes LDR something that is not so much of a lifetime ordeal but rather a tunnel where the light at the end of is this promising international city.
Take it from Michiko Amada and Jan Michael Mariano, classmates back in grade school, who wound up getting married in Dubai last month.
“Nawalan kami ng communication, then after 10 years nagkita kami uli, sa Pilipinas pa ito, nanligaw sya then I moved to Dubai,” Amada said, adding that after some time she was able to bring Mariano to the city. (We didn’t have communication; then after 10 years we met again. This was in the Philippines. He courted me and later on I moved to Dubai.)
Magnolia Obillo and Martin Javier share the same story albeit with a slight twist: Obillo was Javier’s line manager back in Manila. “Boss ko sya,” Javier said. (She’s my boss.)
Obillo went to Dubai and Javier followed suit. “Para matigil na ang LDR, sumunod na ako,” Javier said. (To end the LDR, I followed her.)
Darius Alpis and Rhea Marie Alcantara met in the Philippines eight years ago.
“Nauna akong pumunta sa Dubai,” said Alcantara. “Sumunod ako,” added Alpis. “Pero eight years na kaming mag-boyfriend,” said Alcantara.
12 years LDR
For their part, Sherwin Delos Santos and Judy Pineda hit the road in 2002 but Pineda had to be in Dubai so it was LDR for the next 12 years till 2014 when Delos Santos finally was able to be in the city as well. “In 2014, we became inseparable na,” said the two.
John Vincent Mariano and Florida Gaddon met in a church function back in 2006 and eyes sparkled. “She got here first and she sponsored me to come and we arranged our marriage,” said Mariano.
8 years LDR
Rodson Lumayaga and Josine Domingo had 8 years of LDR before finally having been able to get married. “Nagkakilala kami sa Pilipinas pa. Nauna akong pumunta ng Dubai at sumunod si Rodson. It’s been eight years na kaming LDR so we decided to tie the knot,” said Domingo. (We met in the Philippines. I went to Dubai and he followed. It’s been eight years of LDR as we decided to tie the knot.)
Ronie Joy Romul and Catherine Gomez, meantime, met up in 2015. Romul went to Dubai and Gomez sought agency placement for her to be here, too. “Naghanap ako ng agency sa Pilipinas para makasunod ako dito,” she said. (I looked for a placement agency and worked on my papers so I could be in Dubai as well.)
High school sweethearts
Martin Tiempo and Redely Ann Sapallida were high school sweethearts. “Ako ang naunang nag-Dubai,” said Martin. “Four years na ako dito tapos sinunod ko sya (Sapallida),” he added. (I have been in Dubai for four years when I sponsored her.)
In all, the two have been in a relationship for eight years. “Nagkawalaan lang ng kontak pero parang sinubukan lang ang faith namin sa isa’t-isa,” said Sapallida. (We lost contact but it only seemed like a test of our faith in our relationship.)
‘I brought her to Dubai’
Marygane San Pedro, who was then in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, was introduced to Jeremi Clemente, who was working in Dubai, by her cousin.
“Pinuntahan ko sya sa Cabanatuan. Eventually dinala ko na sya dito,” Clemente said, adding that they maintained communication while they were apart through Facebook and video call. (I went to see her in Cabanatuan. Eventually, I brought here to Dubai.)
