Love comes in all forms—but why is loving someone of the same sex considered taboo? As the country marched for a more inclusive and diverse community, colors became the safe space for people who belonged to this community.
Despite the hate and discrimination the homosexual couples face every day, some of their love stories still bloom and transform the dull community into a colorful one, just like Jonas and Oliver, who never fail to amuse each other every day.
Love is a life-long commitment
In November 2016, life turned around when Jonas Comia attended a show of her friend in a Comedy bar and met Oliver, who had just come back to the Philippines after living in Italy for 20 years. After becoming acquainted with each other, social media does its job of letting the lovers exchange messages consistently until love blooms.
That interaction seven years ago became the fuse for their love flame. Oliver’s home was once Italy, and for almost five years he stayed in the Philippines, living together with his loving partner. Living under the same roof does not always guarantee that every day that passes by is cloud nine; rather, they also see themselves in dire straits, especially when it comes to their financial struggles.
After a long and tiring day, they do their job as fur parents to their fur babies under their care. Life for them is like living in seventh heaven, where it is not an issue if they have no children and they rely on each other.
As their relationship developed, they became familiar with how to make each other feel loved. Knowing and loving your partner in the way they want to feel love is crucial in every relationship, as it helps the couple grow stronger day by day.
"Love language ko is words of affirmation; tapos siya naman is more on physical touch," Jonas said while smiling.
Moreover, communication plays a vital role in keeping their relationship intact. Jonas stated that they consult each other before making a decision, and they make sure that they mutually agree on every action they take.
She enumerated what kept them stronger through the years, according to him: "Dapat nando’n ‘yung trust, dapat may tiwala kayo sa isa’t isa. Pangalawa naman, when it comes to decision making, dapat pinag-uusapan namin kung ano ‘yung mga magiging desisyon hindi yung isa lang yung nagde-decide.
Their love story proves that love comes in all forms and knows no gender. Love is sweet and kind by nature. Gender is not a hindrance to loving and caring for each other; thus, their actions and willingness to prove their love to each other are what keep their relationship strong.
"I see myself growing old with him."
Isn’t it wonderful when your partner states that growing old with you is one of their primary goals in life? Sana all.
This statement by Jonas manifests how magical their love is. Even though many people might criticize them, they remain firm and ready to spend the rest of their lives together.
Unrequited but still magical
Loving someone who lives far away is difficult, but have you ever loved someone who is in your sight but is still out of your reach?
This is the bleak story of an individual who is identified as Marceline and her cherished one, Princess Bubblegum.
It was during junior high school when Marceline started to feel butterflies in her stomach whenever Princess Bubblegum was around. Every action of Princess Bubblegum amazes her, and she does everything she can to catch her attention.
And with every move that Princess Bubblegum makes, she falls deeply for her. They’re friends and comfortable with each other; they also share their secrets with each other, but there is one secret that Marceline can’t share with Princess—her feelings towards her.
Until days, months, and years pass, Marceline is not over it. Fully aware that her friend cannot give her the love she wants, she accepts her fate and decides to just let it be there until it’s gone.
But it is undeniably true that she falls for her even more, like falling into a bottomless hole. She falls intensely, and now she struggles to get off because she knows that loving her from afar is the only thing that she can do.
She can treat her like a real princess; she will do everything for her, even fight off the guys who hurt her. Despite doing everything, Princess Bubblegum only sees it as an act of friendship.
"Mahal kita, bessy!" "Hindi ko alam kung anong buhay ko kung wala ka, forever tayo ha!" These are the words that Marceline holds, words that she wishes were because Princess is also attracted to her, but it is a snowball’s chance in hell.
It’s been a decade since she had these feelings for Princess Bubblegum, and Princess Bubblegum is already in a relationship, which is why Marceline is stuck in unrequited love.
When we asked her why she didn’t take the risk to confess and shoot her shot, she answered that Princess Bubblegum’s happiness is her priority. And she knew that confessing her feelings would only let Princess suffer, which is why she experienced pain by loving her from afar.
"Actually, pinipigilan ko na yung sarili ko. Gusto ko na rin sumuko kasi alam ko naman na hanggang ganito na lang. Pero pasaway kasi yung puso ko, ayaw tumigil. Hindi ko rin alam kung paano pa."
Those are her words when we ask her if it ever crossed her mind to let go and totally forget her feelings for her friend.
And just like that, love really comes in all forms and in its own ways. Whether it is reciprocated or unrequited, love is always present.
Love comes in all forms and in all ways, and we cannot dictate to others how and whom we choose to love. Thus, giving and being in love are vital to human existence. It is magical when we feel love, but giving love despite having no assurance if it will return shows pure love.
Article: Gerie Consolacion and Laica Macuha
Graphics: Yuko Shimomura
Comments