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In a sentence or two, couples say how their relationship has lasted
WE ASKED some of the country’s most interesting couples what has made their relationship last.

We kissed and kissed and fought and fought and laughed and ate our troubles away. Thus could we make out our 58 years of marriage. Please stay in separate rooms, away from each other, and you’ll forever have each other. —Gilda Cordero Fernando, married to Marcelo

We’ve been married 18 years. It’s about allowing each other to grow in ways not familiar to one another, and the mutual support that is needed for that. Shared values, memory making, and a wicked sense of humor. —Rina Ortiz, married to Tito

We’ve been married 44 years, and we always tell people to have separate bathrooms! We sleep in the same room, but we have space to do our own thing. You need that in a marriage. I’m not clingy, he’s not needy, so it works! —Conchitina (Sevilla) Bernardo, married to Lani

Respect and a whole lotta sex. —Chito Vijandre

Acrobatics and witty repartee. One has to constantly astonish the other, stay fit and sharp, and trim away all the fat of quotidian marital bliss. —Ricky Toledo

We get along very well. We are the best of friends. We are soulmates. —Mon Gonzalez

He is well aware of how attracted I still am to him, after almost 16 years of marriage! I laugh and flirt with him unceasingly, in ways I’d be hard-pressed to share with anyone. —Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez

My relationship with Donnie has lasted this long because of our mutual respect and acceptance of each other’s differences. It is a great comfort to come home to someone who accepts you totally and unconditionally. —Crickette Tantoco

What unites Crickette and me, even if we are practically opposites of each other, are the dreams we not only share, but we also try our best to fulfill. I believe it is our dream and our journey toward fulfilling that dream that makes us want to be together all the time for the past 22 years. It gets better and more exciting every year. I also live by the very simple, but very important rule: “When momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” —Donnie Tantoco

I guess it’s probably because we’re hardly together. Hahaha! I also make sure I don’t mess with his gym schedule. —Lulu Tan Gan, on husband Joseph Gueta

Common interests in work and play. Also a genuine concern for each other’s welfare and happiness. —Johnlu Koa, married to Marilou Peña for 16 years now

What has made our relationship last is the fact that I am married to the most wonderful, supportive and patient woman in the world, and I give thanks to God for that every day. —David Pardo de Ayala, married to Gianella Rodriguez for nine years now

The secret to our marriage remains to be a secret. Hahaha! We’ve been married for 28 years and still trying to figure out what we’ve been through and what’s in store for us in the coming years. —Rikki Dee, married to Elizabeth “Beng” Dee

Trust, respect, love and support for each other. —Ariel Manuel, married to Mia Ayuyao for 12 years now

Love, respect, good conversation, humor and God-centered is what has made my relationship work this past 15 years. —Maritoni Tordesillas, married to Roque
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer