Our Love Story

There are meetings that feel ordinary until, with a quiet certainty, you realize they were never ordinary at all. For Jhone and Chin-Chin, that kind of meeting came in the middle of a season the world would remember as uncertain — the pandemic — yet for them, it was the place where God quietly gathered two hearts and began a faithful work.

They first crossed paths in the Media Department of their local Seventh-day Adventist church in Iligan City. What started as a shared task — managing livestreams, looking for participants, and making sure the congregation could still worship together from their homes — became the soil where a friendship deepened. Jhone, the audio engineer, along with the team, spent countless hours ensuring every word of worship would reach people. Chin-Chin, one of the songleaders/presiders, shared God’s Word and encouragement before the congregation with warmth and grace. What began as simple teamwork between the sound booth and the platform soon became a deeper connection — not built on fleeting emotions, but on shared service for the same Savior.

Their friendship grew naturally through ministry. Together, they learned that love is best nurtured when both hearts are anchored in Christ. Whether in church programs, medical missions, feeding initiatives, relief operations, or simple visitations, they found joy in serving others for God’s glory. Each outreach reminded them that their relationship was never meant to revolve around themselves, but around Jesus, whose love compels them to serve.

Every decision they made, they sought in prayer. Jhone often reminded Chin-Chin — and himself — that every plan and action must be grounded in the Word of God. In moments of uncertainty, they turned to Scripture for direction, trusting that God’s wisdom far surpasses human understanding. Their love story, in truth, is a testimony not of their faithfulness, but of Christ’s faithfulness.

Like all who walk with the Lord, they faced trials and seasons of waiting. There were moments of distance, busyness, and growth that tested their patience and humility. But through every challenge, they learned to lean not on their own strength but on God’s unchanging promises. Prayer became their refuge, and grace their daily portion. What could have divided them instead drew them nearer — not merely to each other, but closer to the heart of Christ.

Then, in a quiet, unassuming moment, true to the nature of the husband-to-be, came the next chapter. There was no elaborate scene, no audience, no grand display — only the two of them and the presence of God. Chin-Chin did not expect it, but Jhone had long been praying for the Lord’s timing. With reverence and peace, he asked her to walk beside him — not only in love, but in continued service to their Savior. The proposal was simple, yet sacred — a private altar of surrender, gratitude, and obedience to God’s will.

Now, as they prepare to enter the covenant of marriage, Jhone and Chin-Chin look not to their own story, but to the One who wrote it. Their desire is that their union would always reflect the selfless, enduring love of Christ — the love that serves, the love that forgives, and the love that remains steadfast through every storm.

Their prayer is that their home will forever be a place of worship — where Jesus reigns at the center, and where every joy and trial alike point back to His faithfulness. For in the end, their journey is not about how they found each other, but about how Christ found them both, and brought them together to glorify Him.

They rejoice in the truth that every good gift comes from Him and hold fast to the words that have guided them: “We love because He first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19.