The Lady & one of Manila’s most eligible bachelors

This is the love story of how a beauty queen and one of Manila’s most eligible bachelors found each other and never let go even until they reached the altar. She’s none other than Ladylyn Riva, Miss Casino Filipino 2013; and he’s Manila (5th District) Councilor Irwin Tieng, scion of the clan behind Solar Entertainment Corporation and Solar Resources, Inc.

Friends said that Lady is a certified Lola’s Girl who, without her biological parents, grew up under the guidance of her grandmother. The Kalibo (Aklan) native was raised a Seventh Day Adventist. Lady was already working as a nurse when she first tried modeling.

The couple and relatives (from left): Manuela Riva (sister of the bride), Aida Tieng, Antonio Riva and William Tieng

“It was a pleasant surprise for me,” said Lady. “’Yung sweldo ko sa pag-nurse ng isang buwan, kinikita ko sa ilang shoots at events lang so I decided to go into modeling full-time.”

Along the way Lady joined the Bb. Pilipinas pageant, the Century Superbods search and the Miss Casino Filipino contest which she won. Then, she founded the Metro Faces Talent Management.

Lady was an avid triathlete until she figured in a serious accident in 2015. Another triathlon participant collided with Lady and the impact made her pass out for a few minutes. Lady underwent a major reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation and it took her almost a year to recover.

“That was a very difficult period in my life, but Irwin really stuck it out with me. Even his family was supportive. His mother was so caring,” she said.

Lady and Irwin met by chance six years ago during Laboracay, an annual vacation event for many Filipinos.

“I didn’t know that he had an eye on me,” recalled Lady. “He was a gentleman, napaka-bait. He would take me and my friends out and made me comfortable. He took his time to prove he was serious to get into a relationship. We became ‘official’ three months after we started dating.”

Six years later, the couple decided to make it permanent.

They got married last September, with Lady wearing a Mark Bumgarner gown, at the Shrine of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus in Newport near Resorts World Manila and entertained their guests at the grand ballroom of the nearby Marriott Hotel.

“We are a couple who support each other’s aspirations. We find no better supporter than each other,” added Lady.

Irwin will run for reelection in  2019 and Lady will definitely be a refreshing figure on the campaign trail. She leads the “Pabebe” program for their constituents in Manila, a seminar-workshop series that works on personality development.

(For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)