When Love Blossoms and Meant to Last

FAITH AND SIMEON

In an age where whirlwind romances and fleeting digital connections define modern love, the story of Faith and Simeon Sualibio rises like a classic ballad rooted in devotion, faith, and the kind of patience rarely seen in today's world. Their journey, like many great love stories, began in the quietest of places: inside a church.  The Iglesia Ni Cristo Lokal ng Manapla in Negros Occidental to be exact. What started with playful banter blossomed into a slow-burning romance that would eventually lead to an altar adorned in emerald green.

“I was drawn to his kindness and how hardworking and helpful he was,” Faith recalls with a smile that beams with both nostalgia and affection. “And according to him, it began when we were constantly teasing each other. He said that when I wasn’t around, he found himself looking for my laughter.”

It was 2019, and life seemed to be pulling them in different directions. While Simeon was assigned to Iloilo North, Faith remained in Negros Occidental, busy with school and unaware of how deeply Simeon’s feelings had already taken root. But distance, for them, wasn't a deterrent, it was a crucible. Their relationship officially began in 2022, long-distance from the very beginning, fastened not just by affection but by a shared spiritual commitment.

“This relationship was part of our panata,” Faith says, referring to a solemn vow they made to God. “Despite the challenges, we believed this was something we both entrusted to Him.”

Their turning point came in 2021, during Simeon’s vacations Week visit. It had been years since Faith had suggested and almost dismissively that he look for someone else. But Simeon’s quiet persistence was unwavering. He returned to Manapla and asked for her parents' permission to court her officially. “That was when I truly began to admire him,” Faith says. “He waited patiently, and that meant everything.”

The proposal was less of a grand gesture and more of a culmination of years of prayer, waiting, and divine timing. They had long decided that when the moment came, it would be something God had ordained. And indeed, when it did arrive, it felt not just right but destined.

A Dream Wedding in Emerald Theme

Planning their wedding was a delicate dance between practicality and vision. First came the motif: emerald green. “It just stood out to us,” Faith explains. “It felt elegant and fresh, something that truly represented a new beginning.”

From there, they moved onto the guest list, the entourage, carefully selecting relatives and close friends who had been witnesses to their journey from the very beginning. But, as in any wedding tale worth telling, there were hurdles.

A month before the big day, they still hadn't found an affordable photo and video team. “I was already researching in Bacolod and Manapla, but nothing fit our budget,” Faith remembers. “Then came Ate Mika and Tita Ana. They kept checking in, asking about suppliers. I told them we still didn’t have photo and video, and Ate Mika went above and beyond to help us find one.” It was a moment of divine alignment, something that would happen again just days before their wedding.

“Four days before the wedding, our place flooded. It was the first time it ever happened in our area,” Faith says. “Most of the wedding items were DIY, and I was so scared they’d be washed away. But by God’s grace, everything was spared.”

A Church, A City, A Promise

The couple chose the newly Lokal church of Victorias City for their ceremony, an intentional decision from the beginning. The reception followed at Marjhun’s Catering, a venue Faith had discovered through social media and personally examined. “It was beautiful, spacious, and the food was amazing,” she says, eyes lighting up.

When asked about her vendors and suppliers, Faith can’t help but glow with gratitude. “From planning to the day of the wedding, they made everything smooth and special. I’d heard good things about them before, but experiencing their dedication firsthand was something else.”

The Day of the Wedding

The morning of their wedding dawned with equal parts excitement and nerves. “I was so nervous,” Faith admits. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and it felt like the biggest day of our lives. I just kept thinking, ‘What’s going to happen today?’”

And yet, as the hours unfolded, everything fell into place. What was once just an idea prayed for under quiet nights had transformed into a celebration of love, loyalty, and answered prayers.

Among the day’s highlights were surprises that left even the bride wide-eyed with delight. “We didn’t expect our same-day edit video to turn out that beautifully,” she shares, still amazed. “The grazing table, the cake, the floral arrangements, the food, everything was beyond what we hoped for. It felt like a dream.”

In a soft, heartfelt moment, Faith turned to Simeon with a message she’s likely said many times in private, but now, with the weight of vows and the future they’ve stepped into, it carried a new depth:

“To my palangga, now that we’re married, just like we always pray to God, let’s continue helping each other through the ups and downs. We know He will guide us. I love you.”

Faith, Trust, and a Bit of Planning

As the confetti settled and the final chords of their wedding day faded into memory, the Sualibios carried more than just the glow of newlyweds, they carried wisdom.

“To those planning to tie the knot,” Faith offers gently, “start with prayer. Lift up your plans to God. From there, make sure to communicate well with each other. And most importantly, trust and love one another, always.”

It’s advice rooted in experience. In the end, theirs wasn’t just a wedding planned with spreadsheets or Pinterest boards. It was crafted with patience, sealed in faith, and held together by a shared promise to walk hand in hand and not just through a single day, but through a lifetime.

In the End, Faith Beckons

There’s a quiet strength in the way Faith and Simeon built their love firm in conviction, slow in pace, but deep in foundation. It’s the kind of love that doesn’t need to shout; it simply shows up, again and again, through floods and farewells, in waiting rooms and whispered prayers.

And on that day in Victorias City, under the gaze of loved ones and the blessings of the Church, Faith and Simeon Sualibio didn’t just celebrate a wedding. They marked the beginning of a life, a partnership hand-in-hand, heart-to-heart, and most importantly, guided by the One who brought them together.