Glaiza and David on turning long-distance relationship to marriage

It’s pleasant to hear a story on how a long-distance relationship (LDR) turns into a marriage considering the amount of effort a couple has to take in order to prove how committed they are to each other.

Actress Glaiza de Castro and Irish businessman husband David Rainey have proven that love knows no boundaries after making their LDR work beautifully, leading to their tying of the knot not just once but twice.

After the couple exchanged “I Do’s” in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom in October 2021, they exchanged marital vows for the second time here in the Philippines last Jan. 23.

The Filipiniana-themed wedding ceremony, officiated by Glaiza’s brother-in-law, was held during sunset at Sundowners Beach Villas in Botolan, Zambales, witnessed by their loved ones. David’s family and friends flew in from Europe for the blissful occasion.

The bride walked down the aisle clad in a Filipiniana ensemble created by Jo Rubio while the groom wore a Barong.

David and Glaiza were kind enough to accommodate our request for an exclusive interview for Fast Talk with Boy Abunda a day before they left for Zambales. According to Glaiza, they preferred a beach wedding “because the beach is very significant to us. We met near the beach, he proposed on the beach and we had a beach wedding in Ireland. So, we wanted to continue that.”

Prior to getting married, COVID-19 compelled Glaiza and David to go for LDR due to travel restrictions. David is based in Ireland.

Their love story began in 2018 when Glaiza went to Siargao to celebrate her birthday. She accidentally met David after trying to locate where the song she had been hearing, which happened to be her favorite, was coming from. She finally saw the one playing it, who happened to be David, and then fascinating conversations between the two followed.

When David had to return to his hometown in Ireland, he and Glaiza continued their communication. Despite being miles apart from each other, David would send love letters written in a notebook to the actress via air courier service. Oh, it’s such a sweet gesture that would make any girl feel loved and cherished.

The notebook, Glaiza shared, would go back and forth between Ireland and the Philippines “because David really likes to send me letters.”

Glaiza and David officially became a couple in September 2018 and got engaged in December 2020 when the former visited David in Ireland.

Here are excerpts from the interview:

How important is talk or communication in this relationship?

Glaiza: It’s so important since we are in a long-distance relationship and for not being physically together most of the time, especially during the first few years of our relationship.

Talk about the notebook.

Glaiza: It started because David really likes to send me letters so, when we were apart, binibigyan niya ako ng handwritten letters. Masulat po talaga s’ya.

Why? Have you always been into writing, you know, snail mails?

David: Not necessarily. It’s my way to be able to express how I felt rather than the normal e-mail, messenger or WhatsApp. I would send a handwritten letter in a notebook and then she would send the notebook back. It was back and forth; I think it went between Ireland and the Philippines three or four times.

The notebook would “travel.”

Glaiza: Yes (laughs).

David: Certainly, that was a very important part of our relationship when we were apart. Now, I would wake up and have coffee together. We’re together all day if we’re not both busy with work. We still write each other notes but not necessarily in a notebook.

Saan n’yo na ngayon sinusulat ‘yung notes n’yo for each other?

Glaiza: Na-su-surprise pa rin po ako like kapag pupunta ko ng taping tapos s’ya ‘yung maghahanda ng kape ko. Tapos may mga mails (na matatanggap) at pagkuha ko ng mga mails ko, merong mga notes na, “You can do this” or “I love you.”

What’s gonna happen after the wedding?

David: We’re opening a café in Baler, similar to my business in Ireland. But in Ireland, it’s a mobile coffee shop while in Baler, sa tabi ng bahay (“Accommodation,” said Glaiza).

Are you starting a family immediately after the wedding?

Glaiza: Maybe not immediately.

(To Glaiza) Right now, tuloy-tuloy ang pag-a-artista, pag-awit at mga ginagawa mo ngayon?

Glaiza: Yes. I will definitely not stop doing what I love. I’ll still do acting.

(To Glaiza) Let’s do the Fast Talk. Pillow fight or pillow talk?

Glaiza: Pillow talk.

Kissing or hugging?

Glaiza: Kissing.

Experimental or traditional?

Glaiza: Experimental.

Sexiest part of David’s body.

Glaiza: Eyes.

The sweetest thing David has done for you.

Glaiza: Wow, so many. Among them is writing me handwritten letters.

Lights on or lights off?

Glaiza: Lights off.

David: Lights on.

What do you promise each other?

David (looking at Glaiza): I promise to love you, trust you and give my all, palagi. I love you.

Glaiza (looking at David): When everything else fails, I am here, always.