Groom's Story

Do you believe in destiny? Our story is perhaps one of the most peculiar tales you’ll ever read. It all began when we met during my mandatory schooling at the National Police College in Silang, Cavite. Our love story unfolded during the pandemic in 2020—love in times of COVID, my so-called “Pandemic Love Story.” But wait, it didn’t actually start during that time; it was probably years earlier.

Let’s go back to the beginning. There was a police doctor I got to know while attending my mandatory schooling for promotion. Just a few days after our arrival at the NPC Campus, we were advised to confine ourselves in the barracks for quarantine. Luckily, I was the designated class marcher at that time; otherwise, she may not have known or seen my beautiful smile.

The BLUE RANGER, a medical doctor in full PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), showed up at our barracks. While she was busy checking my classmates, I was truly captivated just watching her. Even though she was in full PPE, I could tell she was beautiful inside and out by the way she treated my classmates. When it was my turn for a check-up, it felt a bit awkward when she signaled for me to squat. At that moment, it seemed odd since she was my junior in the service and I was her senior. However, I obliged. The only thing I could see through her mask were her long, curly eyelashes, and I thought to myself, "Magchecheck up na lang, kailangan mag-kilay at eyeliner pa."

During the check-up, I pretended to have an itchy throat (kunwari lang, diskarte nga e), and she prescribed some medicines for me. Later that afternoon, my classmate told me that the BLUE RANGER was looking for my contact number, and I said to give it to her. That night, we texted each other and shared stories.

The next day, my classmate called again: “Sir Goli (short for Golitod), may naghahanap sa’yo, magbibigay daw ng gamot.” I immediately left our barracks to meet her. “Gamot mo,” she said. “Pwede mo din ishare sa mga classmates mo.” It was clear to me that she had given the medicine specifically for me. Hahahaha.

A few days passed, and we continued texting since we couldn’t meet physically due to quarantine. There were nights when I would sing over the phone, as it was my way of expressing myself to her.

Then one night, after she returned from a fellowship activity with her friend, I offered her a cup of coffee over the phone, to which she agreed. I can still remember it; it was Nescafe Creamy White, light blue in color. I was nervous about finally meeting her in person, but I knew it was my only chance. “It is now or never,” I told myself.

“Hi,” I said, “Kalvin,” in a cool yet nervous voice. She replied, “Alekz.” “Kakabalik niyo lang? Babalik pa kayo doon? Kumusta naman doon? Baka hanapin kayo ni Director?” Then I realized I was asking too many questions because I was so nervous, to which she replied, “OK lang yun.” We talked the whole night until we had to part ways. It was one of my most memorable nights.

Days and nights passed, and our conversations made it feel like we had been friends forever. There was never an awkward moment; we simply sat on the steps under the Narra tree, sharing our childhood stories and high school experiences. We would stay up late in our respective quarters and wake up early to jog or do morning exercises at the gym, along with my classmate buddy and her friend (who also became close—it’s up to them to describe their friendship).

Alekzandra and I have a very interesting story that you might think is made up. But NO, it’s real. I was born on July 27, 1994, while she was born three days later, on July 30, of the same year. I always tell her, “Bago siguro tayo naging tao, dati tayong magkaiibigan na anghel sa langit, tapos sinipa mo ako, kaya nalaglag ako sa lupa at nauna akong lumabas!” Hahaha.

To continue our story, would you believe that we attended the same university in Baguio City? We were schoolmates at Saint Louis University, where I took up BS Radiologic Technology and she pursued BS Nursing. What’s even more interesting is that during our university years, we may have crossed paths. I used to sit in the Garden Area of the Vath Library Building while waiting for my class, and she often sat on the giant steps below, only about 5-10 meters away. If you’ve been to SLU, you’ll surely know this. Hahaha.

Additionally, I worked as a student assistant in the laboratory, and we shared the same building. I was on the top floor, while she was just one floor below and sometimes they also held their class on the same floor as our office. Whenever her class needed laboratory apparatus, they would request it from our office. She used to tell me about a student she fondly teased during her college years because he was always alone and quiet, always wearing a jacket. “Ikaw siguro yun!” she would say repeatedly because I described how I spent my college years, always in my two kinds of sweaters.

With these stories, I imagine our connection like the “red strings attached.”

The pandemic worsened, yet our love story persisted. On those rainy nights, we stayed outside our barracks to share endless stories, undeterred by lightning or heavy rain. The National Police College became a testament to how our love slowly unfolded. On November 27, 2020, we officially sealed our relationship and became sweethearts.

I was very nervous when I finally met her family, especially knowing that her dad was my upperclassman. I didn’t know what to do and felt like disappearing every time I was with them because I was so shy. Luckily, her dad and mom were very cool and kind to me.

I returned to my assignments and various trainings, which tested our love for each other. I’m proud to say, “She really loves me!” She would drop everything, just to visit me or have meal together. All the way from Quezon City to Mindoro, or from Quezon City to Mabini Batangas during my trooper training, or Quezon City to Balayan, Batangas during my SAF Commando training. A few hours was enough for us to enjoy each other’s company—even just a few minutes meant the world. What mattered was that we saw each other. Often during those trainings, I had to do “take life” just to message her and say “I love you.”

Long-distance relationships are tough, yet we managed to survive. There were times when we almost gave up, but each new day brought us longing for each other. All I can say is that “Love is a commitment between two imperfect people who always try to make their world perfect.”

I was planning to propose to her on July 30, 2022, her birthday. When I asked permission from her dad, I was standing in “Tikas Pahinga,” my whole body shaking with nervousness as I listened to his words. His encouragement and acceptance made me question whether I was truly the right person for her daughter. “Bilang mga magulang niyo, hindi kami tututol diyan. Kung ano ang gusto niyo at plano niyo sa buhay, kayo ang mag-uusap para diyan. Basta kaming mga magulang niyo, andito lang parating nakasuporta sa inyo.” “Anong plano mo, kailan ka akyat ng Baguio?” “Tawagan mo si MOMMY MO (Alekz's mom) para magprepare.”

I communicated with her mother while traveling to Baguio. She was excited and helped me with the preparation. I felt that it was the longest journey to Baguio I had ever experienced. I was really nervous, thinking of all the “what ifs.” What if she found out? What if she didn’t say YES? And many more.

Then the day came for me to ask the question. “Will you marry me?” She was holding a huge piece of lechon skin. She stared at me, and it took her a minute to answer my question. Then she started walking away. I was shaking! My heart sank, thinking she didn’t like my proposal and would say NO. But then she stopped, walked back to me, and said, “Ang oily ng kamay ko oh! May hawak akong crunchy na balat! Maghuhugas sana ako kaso ayokong bitawan. Sige YES na nga!” And then we both laughed.

I received a sweet “YES” from Alekz in front of her family and relatives—one of my happiest moments.

In December 2023, I invited my family for the traditional “akyat-ligaw.” Both our families celebrated the New Year in Baguio, concluding that we would get married in 2024!

Now it’s 2024, and YES, we are finally getting MARRIED on November 8, 2024.

On behalf of our parents and the entire Aberin-Golitod Family, we invite you to join us as we celebrate our love story and the beginning of a new chapter. See you there!

BRIDE’s comments to GROOM’s side of the story

> OMG! Bakit iba pagkakaalala ko nung story!? 😂😂😂

> Excuse me! Di ako nakakilay saka naka eyeliner ano. 🙄 sadyang pumipilantik lang pilikmata ko ( thanks sa palash lift ni Besh!). Di din ako nag a-eye liner kasi di pantay mata ko. Mas naaaccentuate yung assymetry pag nag eyeliner ako. And hirap kaya mag full PPE tapos magmamake-up pa. 🙄

> “the BLUE RANGER was looking for my number.” Syempre!!!! kinuha ko number mo kasi Marcher ka! 🤣 para may ways makicommunicate para sa status and update ng well-being ng class niyo. 🤣😂 tapos “ we texted each other and shared stories.” HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Oiiii!!! Pinagusapan natin noon COVID! kung ano mga tsismis at mangyayari sa inyo!!! 😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣 Hay nako Golitod! 🤣🤣

> Oiiii! Yung gamot! Kasi naman nagsignify ka nga di ba na may nararamdaman ka. 🤣🤣🤣 ang feeling mo talaga! Hahaha yung vitamins ang ishare mo! Kasi yung gamot para sa’yo! Saka alangan naman na ikaw pumunta saakin eh bawal kayong lumabas. Naka quarantine nga kayo eh. 🤣

> Pero in fairness ah, yung pa-Nescafe mo effective. Hahaha kahit “babangon tayoooooo 🎶🎵.” Ng maaga kinabukasan. 😂😂😂 Tapos di awkward, parang matagal na tayo magkakilala. Effortless. KASI nga feeling ko talaga ikaw yung binubully ko na working student sa ADEN sa SLU! Kamuka mo talaga eh! 😂🤣 

> Nakalimutan mo ata yung part na palagi kang may paturon! Saka gatorade! Saka kung anong pamerienda! Haha saka yung nagpapadala pa ng kung ano anong pagkain sa barracks. Di ko makakalimutan yung maraming turon na pinaabot mo kay Ma’am Herrera tapos may note na “peace be with you.” Nung akala mo nagtatampo ako kasi di ako nagrereply. Sus! Kaw talaga! Para paraan porket miss mo na ako makausap! 🤣 

> Thank you sa Besh kong supportive! Palagi kong kasama pumunta kung saan saan para bumisita kay Golibabe! Hahaha kung saan saan kami nakakaabot pero G lang siya! ❤️ 

>Thank you din sa effort Golibabe! Yung mga “pa-take life” mo ay naaappreciate ko. 😂 Kahit asan din ako andun ka. From Mindoro, Mabini, Balayan, Kalinga, Cebu to Manila or Baguio. Effort ka din byumahe! 🤣😂 Hindi man tayo palaging magkasama pero once na may vacant na time talagang ubos ang oras mo saakin. And syempre! Kahit di tayo magkasama, palagi kang nakaupdate! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

> Para dun sa question ng will you marry me… oily naman kasi nung kamay ko! Hahahahahaha saka Yung balat!!!! Dahil jan kailangan mo akong supplyan ng lifetime worth ng lechon balat!!! 🤣