A love for keeps

Staying in love

CEBU, Philippines - Trends are captured in this lime serpentine gown with lace cutouts and deep purple cape. “Capes were a big hit last year, but I see that they’re still going to be visible this year; how I interpreted them makes a difference,” says Philip Rodriguez. All gowns from Rodriguez for Filippo (Ground Level, Paseo Ciudad, Ayala Center Cebu. Tel. no.: 231-5745; Pierre Angeli Boutique, F. Ramos Corner Arlington Pond)

In her view, it was not the best time for romance. Before landing in her current post as GMA Cebu’s Balitang Bisdak Segment News Anchor (weekdays at 5:30 in the afternoon), she was a field reporter assigned in general beat, which demanded her to research constantly about politics, entertainment, sports, business, and crime. She knew she was in the right track and she was willing to offer her personal life to further her craft.

During her early experiences, she had to skip family traditions, narrating: “The first Christmas I wasn’t be able to spend with my family. I was assigned for the 10 p.m. to six a.m. shift. There was a fire under general alarm that burned a huge warehouse in Mandaue, plus a shooting alarm in Cebu City. My cameraman and I had to stay until the police were able to pinpoint the suspect. And then we had to rush back to the station, so I can write, voice tape and edit my stories in time for the morning show. That shift was the busiest, so far with not a minute of rest but at least, it kept my mind busy from thinking of Christmas at home.”

Cecille then cemented her niche in the industry. She was, in fact, poised for the world. After completing her degree in Mass Communication at St. Theresa’s College, she studied Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education.

Surprises suddenly unfolded when fate began to interfere. Casual date nights with her then boyfriend led to a five-year engagement, each of them continuing to excel in their own world of interests.

Now, on their third year of marriage, Cecille does not have a strict pattern to follow in their union: “Balancing a marriage and a career comes easy when you have a partner who understands and is willing to compromise. I’m glad he allows me and encourages me to stay in my chosen field. What binds us together is that we share the same values, beliefs and goals, which keep us grounded. We do not entertain the thought of breaking up. I have always prayed for a responsible and God-fearing partner, and I was given more than what I asked for.”

“Our first Valentine’s was the most unforgettable,” she said. “He surprised me with a bouquet when he picked me up at the office, then we just had dinner; nothing extravagant, simple but sweet.” For sure, they had something meant for keeps. (FREEMAN)