Kinakiligan ng maraming netizen ang birthday message kamakailan ng University of the Philipiines (UP) alumnus na si Carl Angelo Lustre Marcelo sa kaniyang girlfriend na si Aira Claire Leonida Caballero na isa ring UP alumna.

“My quest to the well-coveted “sablay” was tough, with complex paths to navigate. Little did I know that this journey was destined to be a SHARED ride—an adventure where we both struggled, stumbled, and ultimately triumphed, finally reaching our destinations.” saad ni Carl sa kaniyang Facebook post.

Dagdag pa niya, “Reaching this milestone would not have been possible without my co-pilot in life! Happy birthday to the person who always makes my life's adventure a beautiful tandem ride!”

ALAMIN: Mga dapat malaman at gawin upang maging ligtas sa ‘tsunami’

Madalas na marinig sa mga nakatatanda ang payo na huwag munang iibig sa murang edad dahil sa posibilidad na baka makasagabal ito sa pagtupad sa mga pangarap sa buhay. Mabuntis o makabuntis nang maaga, halimbawa.

Pero tila pinatunayan nina Carl at Aira na hindi totoo ang ganung babala sa lahat ng pagkakataon. Na baka nga pag-ibig pa ang tumulong sa atin para maabot ang pinakamabuting bersiyon ng sarili.

Sa eksklusibong panayam ng Balita, ibinahagi ni Carl kung paano sila nagsimula bilang magkasintahan. Ayon sa kaniya, tila friends to lovers ang naging peg ng kanilang love story.

“We started as friends nung highschool since Grade 7. Naging seatmates, lab partner, study, chika o gala buddy kami, in short we were partners sa mga iba’t ibang ganaps, mapa-academics man o hindi. Despite our differences, to the point na literal na polar opposites ang aming mga personalities, we always coincide with our goals and support each other. As they say, ‘opposites do really attract’."

Sabi pa niya, imposibleng hindi sila ma-develop dahil sa pagi-pagitan ng panahon, naging support system umano nila ang isa’t isa sa kabiguan o tagumpay man.

“Nagsimula kami sa asaran nung Grade 8 then nagevolve sa mutual understanding, and eventually, lumevel up sa pagiging boyfriend and girlfriend nung Grade 12.”

Kaya kung susumahin, mahigit apat na taon na silang magkarelasyon.

“We officially became a couple just before kaming grumaduate ng senior high school nung 2019. Interestingly, we both started and ended college together. Pero, Aira and I were really close friends way back as early as grade 7 or 8, so our relationship has a really strong foundation talaga.”

At dahil isa si Carl sa maswerteng tao sa mundo na nasa loob ng isang matagal ng relasyon, tinanong siya ng Balita kung ano ba ang sikreto para magkaroon ito ng matibay na pundasyon.

“During our college years, knowing that we were far apart and have entirely different degree programs from each other, we both have the same long-term vision and goals together, kaya kampante kami na our relationship will work and last long. We feel like that there is a sense of direction and unity sa aming relationship kahit we were physically apart.”

Dagdag pa niya, pareho silang nagkompromiso at nag-adjust. Inunawa ang katotohanang may iba silang buhay na labas sa kanilang relasyon.

“Itong level of flexibility allowed us to accommodate yung needs and responsibilities namin with each other without putting unnecessary strain sa aming relationship. We try to respect and support each other’s personal goals, ambitions, and unique circumstances, to the point na yung act of mutual respect that we give to each other allowed us to grow individually and, at the same time, nurtured our bond and conenction.”

At gaya ng lahat ng romantikong relasyon, inamin ni Carl na hindi rin perpekto ang sa kanila ni Aira. Dumadating ang mga panahon na nag-aaway din umano sila at hindi nagkakaintindihan.

“But, at the end of the day, we took our issues seriously. We prioritize communication and actively work on them para maresolve yung mga issues namin sa isa’t isa. We come together as a team and understand how such conflicts arose at kung paano kami makakalearn from that issue. Sometimes, we ask around from our friends and family kung paano namin masosolusyonan ang aming mga problema.”

Para naman sa mga gaya nila na minsang pinagsabay ang pag-aaral at pag-ibig, ito ang mensahe niya:

“We both believe na kayang-kayang pagsabayin ang love life at ang pag-aaral as long as you both know your priorities in life. Kapag nasa relationship ka kasi, you’re not the sole captain of your life anymore. Instead, you now have the advantage of working as a team with your partner to reach your individual and shared dreams. Kaya use this advantage wisely.

“Kapag nasa relationship ka, it is important that your priorities and goals align with each other. So, effectively communicate yung mga aspirations and commitments niyo, so that you both come into an agreement and properly set out each other’s expectations and schedules, while giving each other a safe space to grow.

“Based on our experiences, ever since high school up until college, hindi namin pinabayaan ang aming pag-aaral kahit marami kaming ganaps sa buhay (mapa-academics, side hustles and extracurricular activites man yan) because we both give mutual support and dedication to each other. Just like other couples, we do go on dates, travel, and have fun din as a couple from time to time, but we always put our studies first.”

Si Carl ay nagtapos ng Magna Cum Laude sa UP-Diliman sa ilalim ng programang BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. Samantalang si Aira naman, Cum Laude sa UP-Manila sa ilalim ng programang BS Speech Pathology.

Totoo ngang ang pag-ibig–anomang uri ito–ay lagi’t laging nakaugat sa kabutihan; sa pagpapakabuti. Kaya kung pinapasama ka nito, magduda. Tanungin ang sarili. Dahil baka nasa isang relasyon ka lang pero hindi ka naman talaga totoong umiibig. O hindi ka talaga totoong iniibig.

---