It was in 2013 when Jay Tuazon and Carl Rosadino first met. Carl was working in Dubai at that time, but when he took his vacation in the Philippines, he thought of visiting Davao City in mid-April of that year.
“On the third day of his vacation, on April 28, 2013, we met at Matina Town Square,” Jay recalled.
Carl was with his friends, and so was Jay, who was born and raised in Davao City.
“A common friend just had us introduced. Then all through the night, we were already talking about life, relationship, experiences and love,” Jay said. “We exchanged digits, and that’s the start of the communication.”
The next day, Carl accompanied Jay to Holiday Camp in Samal Island, “and we consider that as our first date,” Jay said.
And so, though Carl left Davao days later, he ended up returning every month and stay for two weeks in Jay’s place.
Incidentally, Jay only broke up with his former boyfriend of five years in December 2012; while Carl had been single for three years to the time they met. And so, “when he visited Davao, we usually traveled, and it served as our testing ground if we really clicked,” Jay said. “Day by day, our relationship with each other strengthened. We finally committed with each other on May 19, 2103.”
If there is one thing they said they learned from being in a long distance relationship, it’s to communicate. “We talk every day. We keep each other informed of what’s happening in our lives. We share and support each other. We don’t treat each other only as lovers, but also as best friends. We see each other online. We say good night/good morning every day,” Carl says.
In July 2013, Carl started working for “Amazing Boracay”. “I was left in Davao City. Being in a long distance relationship was our biggest challenge as both of us didn’t know how to handle the situation,” Jay recalled. “We were both first timers of the set-up. At the beginning, it was really difficult. We fought on small stuffs, argued on night-outs, and discussed our suspicions…”
To deal with this, and “to keep the love burning, we made sure to see each other once a month,” Carl said.
“Every time, it’s like a honeymoon for us as we were both excited to be with each other,” Jay added.
If there is one thing they said they learned from being in a long distance relationship, it’s to communicate.
“We talk every day. We keep each other informed of what’s happening in our lives. We share and support each other. We don’t treat each other only as lovers, but also as best friends. We see each other online. We say good night/good morning every day,” Carl said.
Carl added: “I also learned that honesty is (important too). Not keeping secrets to your partner. So when you have something to say, say it and discuss resolutions.”
And so for Carl, “I think the best thing for me in this relationship is that I am able to correct the mistakes of my past, and treat every moment as an opportunity. I use that to my advantage to make our relationship really work,” he said.
For 2014, they are already planning to live together, maybe in Cebu City. “It will not be an overnight move, and adjustments have to be made,” Carl said. “But we will make sure that the foundation of trust, honesty, love and faithfulness will help our relationship get stronger day by day, year to year.”
“We both enjoy being together. We believe that we live only once, so have a great time, enjoy the love, share your life, and only surround yourself with supportive and caring friends who influence the relationship positively,” Jay ended.
