Vic Gutierrez & Jacqe Yuengtian: Happily ever after in Myanmar

MANILA, Philippines - THE GROOM: Vic Gutierrez is marketing manager (for brand-building) of Unilever Myanmar.

His parents, Victorian and Agnes Gutierrez, are both retired full-time leaders of a Catholic charismatic community.

THE BRIDE: Jacqe Yuengtian is regional manager (for face care) of Unilever Singapore.

Her dad Catalino Yuengtian is a retired banker, while her mom, Yolanda Yuengtian, is a businesswoman.

HOW THEY MET: Jacqe says, “We had both been working for seven years in Unilever marketing so we knew each other but we really didn’t directly work together as I was in Personal Care while he was assigned to Foods. But I knew him because I found him cute but chubby.” Vic says: “The first time we really talked was in a marketing foundation course where we were batchmates. I think we talked about movies during a tea break.”

THE ATTRACTION: Jacqe says: “Vic is very malambing and he’s such a gentleman! I always feel like a princess because he really treats me like one. He’s also very responsible so I know he will take good care of me.” Vic says: “Aside from being beautiful? Jacqe is also very maasikaso. I am a bit spoiled that way. Now that we are married, she has gone up a notch in being maasikaso. She even took cooking classes so she can cook for me every day.”

WHAT MAKES THEM A PERFECT MATCH: Jacqe says: “We’re alike in so many ways — we like the simple things, buying street food, eating out, watching TV series all day. He’s also extremely passionate and very intense — very much like me.”

Vic says: “While Jacqe and I are alike in most things, she is actually a good complement to me because she is also my exact opposite. For example, Jacqe is very stylish when it comes to fashion while I am what people would call baduy. If Jacqe weren’t my wife, I would probably wear my baggy pants every day.”

THE MOMENT OF DISCOVERY: Jacqe says: “Early on, we felt our relationship was something serious, so we did the discovery weekend. I felt that he was God’s plan for me. Vic says: “It actually wasn’t a difficult decision for me. Even when we were just starting to date, I already saw in Jacqe a potential long-term partner. Because of this, it was never awkward or weird for us to talk about a future together. Before proposing, I actually consulted my dad about my plans to get married. My dad was very supportive and we would even discuss by phone and e-mail because he was based in the States at that time.”

THE WEDDING THEME: Jacqe says: “There was no specific theme but we just wanted it to be really personal. We had personalized chocolates, an invitation map, and letters to guests on the tables. Our first dance was Moves Like Jagger; we had rockeoke all night long.” Vic says: “We wanted the wedding details to be very personal. Through our wedding, we wanted to share our story with our guests.”

THOUGHTS ON LOVE AND MARRIAGE: Jacqe says: “I think all relationships are works in progress, there’s really no such thing as a perfect relationship. As you get to know each other better, you learn to understand each other’s quirks and you learn to love or tolerate them. Loving each other was a decision we took when we got married. But that’s not to say I don’t find myself falling in love more with my husband. Every morning, as I watch him get ready for work, I feel proud of having such an accomplished husband and it makes me fall in love with him even more.” Vic says: “I’m not sure if this makes us fall in love over and over again but I think the fact that we have a common sense of humor helps. This was important for me then but even more important now that we live in a different country. It keeps me sane that I get to laugh out loud with my wife every night when we talk about our day.”

ON SETTLING IN MYANMAR: Jacqe says: “I feel happy living in an exotic country. It makes our union more interesting — we’re building our house and life together while getting to know such an unchartered country.” Vic says: “Right now, I’m just happy that we get to spend even more time together. It’s also a lot more convenient for me — I don’t have to pick her up and drive her home anymore because we now live in the same house.”

THE HONEYMOON: Jacqe says: “We went to Europe last October for three weeks! Paris, Madrid, Vienna, Prague, Florence and Rome.”

THEIR NEXT DREAM: Vic says: “To have a son and a daughter in three years and explore the world together with our kids!”