We first met back in September 2006. She was introduced to me by her Aunt Rochelle in my apartment in Las Piñas. The moment I saw her, I was instantly drawn to her sweetness and beauty. Since I was young back then — and feeling gwapo — I insisted on getting her number and Friendster account. That’s when it all started. I kept texting her, visiting her place, and eventually courting her.

Every time we went on dates, I would bring her small gifts — chocolates, little things that would make her smile. I was fascinated by her beauty, so much that I always carried my digital camera and took photos of her. Being an artist myself, I even painted lovebirds and gave it to her — something she has treasured until now.

She also became my muse. At that time, we were organizing events since I worked as the marketing arm of Blue Wave. I made her one of our poster models, and from then on, she became both the subject of my art and the inspiration behind my work.

After three years, she encouraged me to return to BU to finish my engineering degree. She was always there — supporting me, pushing me to never give up. I still remember one time when I was struggling with my professors; while I was on the phone with her, she kept telling me, “Kaya mo ‘yan.” She gave me the courage to face my faculty. Behind that voice of strength and encouragement was Matet.

But when I returned to BU, distance tested us. I was in Bicol while she was working in Manila. We had our share of cool-offs and on-and-off moments. To sum it up, our relationship lasted for about five years — the first three years were solid and steady, while the following years were a mix of trials, distance, and reconciliation.

Eventually, I finished my degree in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. I even became the editor-in-chief of our yearbook in BU. And as far as I remember, Matet also had her contribution there — she helped me draft one of my faculty adviser’s messages for the publication. Even when we were apart, she still made it a point to be part of my milestones, supporting me in her own quiet ways.

After graduation, I started working at UNGCF as a documenter. That job brought me to different places, but in the process, I lost communication with Matet. At that time, she had gone abroad, working as a nurse in New Zealand.

When my contract expired, I returned to Sorsogon and pursued my passion by putting up Cuadro Photography, which I ran from 2014 until 2017. While I was busy with photography, one day Matet suddenly reached out to me on Facebook Messenger. She was already in New Zealand, and I still remember her showing me the streets there while crossing the road. Our communication was on and off, but the connection never completely faded.

Then, in 2017, something unexpected happened. Matet showed up at my photography shop in Sorsogon, asking if she and her relatives could stay at my house in Pangpang since they had nowhere else to go. Without hesitation, I agreed. Just like that, old memories came rushing back. I found myself once again captivated by her beauty.

We went to Paguriran Beach Resort, riding at the back of her uncle’s pickup. We had a wonderful time together, laughing, reminiscing, and enjoying the moment. That night, they stayed at my house, and the next day, I brought her to my father’s house, just a street away. There, I introduced her to my sister Clair, my mom, and Angel. They were so happy to see us together again — my sister even posted on Facebook, saying that our prayers had finally been answered.

And so, feeling hopeful, I gathered my courage. Back at my house, I proposed to Matet. I didn’t have a proper ring then, only a makeshift one made of paper, but my intention was true and from the heart. But she said no. She told me she had a boyfriend at the time.

In that instant, my world crumbled. I even went to her Aunt Dada for help, desperately asking what I should do. I cried so hard, yet I had no choice but to try to be strong. Once again, I lost Matet.

The heartbreak took a toll on me. I was devastated, so much so that I eventually lost Cuadro Photography and went bankrupt. My depression grew heavy. One of my staff, Jay, invited me to go to Trinitas in Albay, where I met Fr. Vlad. I went on retreat there, and for a time, I even considered entering the seminary.

After my retreat in Trinitas, I felt the deep solemnity of the place. It gave me clarity, and I decided to enter the seminary — the Society of the Most Holy Trinity in Cararayan, Naga City. That decision brought me here to Naga, where I began a new chapter of my life, searching for peace and purpose.

But even in that sacred space, life had its surprises. After a few years in the seminary, Matet appeared once again. I don’t even remember exactly how we reconnected — but she told me their family’s farm was near the seminary. She even brought me there once.

While I was a seminarian, Matet often found ways to help me with my projects. Once a week, we were allowed to leave the seminary. Since I was from Sorsogon and had nowhere else to stay in Naga, I asked Matet to help me look for a place. She brought me to Magdalena Hotel and even introduced me to her friend, Kath — or Ate Hugs, as they called her. That was in 2018.

I still remember, my last project requirement in the seminary — it was Matet who submitted it for me. But then came semester break, and I had to move out of the seminary. I don’t know what happened afterward, but somehow, once again, Matet was gone.

Life went on. I had a few friends in Pili, and together with Chef Jan, I started Arluz Catering Services.

We officially started Arluz Catering Services with Chef Jan in September 2019. I worked there as a baker and cake artist, while Chef Jan managed the catering operations. I was also in charge of marketing and admin work, plus pastries and cakes. I poured my focus and energy into building the business.

As time passed, Arluz began making a name in the industry — especially in grazing tables and customized cakes. It felt good to see our efforts being recognized.

Then one day, Fr. Vlad invited me to join him in Digos to pursue a more solemn life as a monk. Still searching for peace, I agreed. By January 2020, I was in St. Benedict Monastery in Digos, just as the first COVID-19 case was reported in the Philippines.

Life in the monastery was simple but deeply spiritual. Our day started at 3:30 AM, preparing for morning prayers at 4 AM, followed by the Holy Mass. At 6 AM, we entered silencium magnum — total silence, where no one was allowed to speak. Meals were eaten in silence while listening to spiritual readings. The rest of the day was a rhythm of prayer and work — ora et labora.

During those times, I became a prayer warrior. Every day, I lifted up in prayer Matet, my family, my friends, and the world — praying for peace, for healing, and for the pandemic to end.

By March 2020, lockdowns began. Many aspirants couldn’t enter the monastery, so they froze the acceptance of new applicants. But since I was already there, I was allowed to stay. In total, I remained in the monastery for 10 months, from January to October 2020.

When it was time to leave temporarily to process my requirements for monastic life, I traveled back to Naga. Traveling during the pandemic was a struggle — the airports looked like ghost towns, permits were hard to secure. But I managed to fly back from Digos to Manila, then finally to Naga.

Since it was still the height of the pandemic, I returned to Arluz, which had shifted to online orders — food trays, cakes, meals for delivery. Business was slow but steady. Then, in one of those months, Matet showed up again. She even helped me with deliveries since she had a permit to drive during the lockdowns. I don’t know what happened, but somehow, once more, she slipped away from my life.

Around the same time, I was preparing to finalize my requirements for the monastery. But then tragedy struck. My sister, Atty. Clair, caught COVID-19 and passed away. Her death shook me to the core. She was the breadwinner of our family, the one supporting Angel and helping our loved ones in Sorsogon.

That was the moment I made a life-altering decision. I chose not to pursue monastic life anymore. Instead, I decided to carry the responsibility she left behind. From then on, I became the one who had to step up for my family in Sorsogon.

When the pandemic ended, our shop was then located in Sta. Cruz, Naga. Around that time, Chef Jan moved to the UK for work, leaving Arluz entirely under my care. I managed it on my own, still pursuing our vision of good service and excellence.

Somehow, even then, Matet would still find her way into my life. She would order cakes from me, sometimes even food trays and bilao meals. We never had bad blood between us — in fact, we remained friends. By then, I no longer expected anything more, but deep inside, my love for her never really faded.

There were even times she would join me in setting up grazing tables for clients. And it struck me: in almost every milestone of my life, she was always there. She would show up, support me, then suddenly be gone again. It became a pattern I learned to accept. But at that point, I was at peace with it. Knowing she was there, even just occasionally, was enough for me.

By 2022, I moved out of Sta. Cruz and transferred to a bigger commissary and shop in Magsaysay. On the outside, Arluz was growing. But on the inside, I often felt alone and lonely. Living a single life for such a long time, even as I poured myself into work, left me feeling empty.

I felt so empty. With no Matet in the picture for years, I just kept going — managing Arluz the best I could. But the struggle of running a business alone was real. It was stressful and heavy, and despite my small successes, there was still a void inside me.

In search of growth, I decided to enroll at ACE Culinary to sharpen my craft and pursue my dream in the culinary world. I gave it my all, and to my surprise, I was even awarded Best Culinarian. Achievements like these — from cakes to catering milestones — filled my days with a sense of fulfillment, yet deep inside, the emptiness lingered.

Running the business alone became too much. I realized I couldn’t carry it all by myself. So I opened Arluz to investors, allowing others to share the load. Arluz had already created opportunities for many people, and I knew it was bigger than just me. With their help, we moved again — this time to a more accessible, cozy, and commercial space. That became what is now Arluz Café.

Even then, struggles remained. But one thing I carried from my years in the seminary and monastery was prayer. I never stopped praying. Every day, I asked God to send me someone who would truly love me, accept me for everything, and walk beside me in life.

So we opened Arluz Café with two shareholders. The café started to grow, but I continued to pray, waiting for God’s answer.

Then, providence came. A day before Matet reappeared in my life, a client, Mary Peralta, told me something that struck deep: “God knows how to speak to people, but sometimes we just don’t understand it.” I kept thinking about those words.

And then, the very next day… Matet walked into Arluz Café.

The Proposal Chapter 

Believing in God’s providence, I kept myself busy that season. I was rushing orders for a food tasting when one of my staff called me, “Sir, may guest daw po kayo. Sabi, andiyan si Mama mo — si Auntie Dada.”

I smiled because Auntie Dada has always treated me like her own. She called me anak, and I called her mommy ever since. But I had no idea what was waiting for me that day.

Still caught up in the kitchen, I was finishing dishes when Joy came to pick up her order. As I stepped out to hand it to her, there — right in front of me — was Matet.

I froze for a moment, then smiled. After so many years, after so many chapters of my life, there she was again. She looked at me, and though we were already in our 40s, I still saw her the same way I always did — fresh, beautiful, and the one who could make my heart nervous and steady all at once.

We sat and chatted. She told me she was still single. I stayed quiet, but inside I felt something strong — as if God was telling me, “This is the moment you’ve been waiting for.”

A few days later, Chef Jan’s grandmother in Pili passed away, so I went to pay my respects. While I was there, Tita Babe, Chef Jan’s aunt, spoke to me. She said:

“Mag-asawa ka na. Kahit anong edad, makakahanap ka pa rin ng para sa’yo.”

Her words echoed in my heart. Suddenly, I remembered what my client, Mary Peralta, once told me:

“God knows how to talk to people. Minsan hindi lang natin nauunawaan agad.”

And then it all became clear — God had been speaking to me all along. Matet was the answer.

Two days later, I flew to Manila, determined to see her again. That was when I started courting her intentionally — no more delays, no more missed chances. For her birthday on August 13, I arranged a surprise through her officemates. I wasn’t even there; I was already back in Bicol. But even from afar, I wanted her to feel that I was serious, that she was worth every effort.

And then came August 16. she returned, my heart pounding, my prayers overflowing. I looked at her, the woman who had appeared and disappeared from my life so many times — yet always came back, as if guided by a higher hand.

This time, I didn’t want to let her go again.

I asked her the question I’ve been carrying in my heart for decades:

“Matet, will you be my forever ?”

And in that moment, I knew — all the waiting, the struggles, the prayers, the silence — it was worth it. Because she was the answer I had been praying for all along.

Looking back, our story was never ordinary. It was a journey of detours, waiting, searching, losing, and finding each other again — always at the right time, never too early, never too late.

There were seasons when I felt so empty, when I thought I would live my life alone, with only prayers as my companion. Yet those prayers became my strength. They taught me patience, they taught me faith.

And God, in His perfect timing, answered. He spoke through people, through moments, through the quiet desires of my heart — until He finally brought Matet back into my life, not as a passing chapter this time, but as the fulfillment of every chapter before.

Now, as we prepare to enter this new beginning together, I know one thing for sure: this love is not by accident, but by providence.

And with all my heart, I say again the words that will forever define this story:

“Matet, will you be my forever?”