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As conversations about marriage roles and relationship dynamics continue to surface online, many couples ask the same question: What does a healthy, balanced partnership really look like?

For relationship and parenting coach Maribel Sison-Dionisio of The Love Institute, the answer begins with one essential foundation — communication.

Speaking on GMA's morning show Unang Hirit, Maribel shared that lasting marriages are not built on dominance, but on discussion and mutual respect.

“'Pag magkaiba, at madalas mayroon namang pagkakaiba, so pag-usapan. Hindi 'yung si lalaki lang 'yung susunod o si babae lang 'yung susunod. Pakinggan muna natin 'yung pananaw o 'yung pag-iisip ng bawat isa," she noted.

"May storya 'yan eh, may kwento 'yan. At kadalasan, 'pag narinig mo 'yung background at tsaka 'yung background niya, nagkakaroon ng liwanag at mas madaling gumawa ng decision, a joint decision. So 'yun 'yung naayos."

Each partner brings unique values, habits, and experiences into a marriage. The key is learning how to navigate those differences without turning them into power struggles.

"May iba naman talaga, maski na nagkwentuhan sila, talagang naiiba. Because maybe they have different values or different ways of doing things. So ngayon, pag-uusapan, is there another way? Kasi gusto ko ito, gusto mo 'yan, can we have both? Agree to disagree,” she added.

Coach Maribel emphasized that no spouse should be forced to give up a career or personal dream. These conversations ideally should be discussed even before marriage.

“Kasi magiging issue 'yan eh. Or baka si wife can do a part-time job. O baka si husband ayaw rin magtrabaho. Gusto niya house husband, may ganyan din. So pinag-uusapan ito and you have to negotiate,” she said.

When conflicts feel overwhelming, couples may feel tempted to seek advice from family or even post about their struggles online. It's wise to approach wedding sponsors or neutral mentors.

“Tatawagin niyo 'yung mga ninong at ninang niyo sa kasal. Hopefully, pwede silang magpayo sa inyo. Kaya may ninong at ninang tayo sa kasal, para tumulong sa atin to be objective about the issue. If not, then you go to a professional,” Maribel stated.

“Or, 'di ba yung entourage mo, you have very good friends, both of you. 'Yan 'yung kaya gumawa ka ng sumbungan community mo....Kaya pipili ka nung mga mature and they will not align at hindi sila mag-iisip, 'Ay, ang sama mo itong ginawa mo sa friend ko.' Kaya choosing. Ang ginagawa ng iba, may agreement silang dalawa. Agree tayong dalawa, itong taong 'to, we can trust and they can be objective at hindi tayo parang minamaliit or magku-kwento.”

The relationship coach also cautions against public posting of private issues, as it can make the situation even worse.

“'Pag nilabas mo sa social media, nagsusumbong ka doon, eh, hindi tama 'yun. Napapahiya na 'yung isa. Magsumbong ka kay ninong at ninang, private, 'di ba? Pero kadalasan, 'yung sinasabi namin, 'wag sa tatay or nanay niyo kasi pumapanig sila sa isa,” she explained.

Another important distinction in marriage is understanding the difference between caring and controlling behavior.

Maribel noted that couples can avoid misunderstandings by setting clear agreements. When differences arise, respectful conversation should always be the first response.

“Dressing up, eating, where to go, what to do, pinag-uusapan para nababawasan nga ang conflict. But when it comes na nagkakaiba, again, pag-usapan. 'Maganda 'yan for this occasion, pero this one, for now, sana 'yung sinuot mo, noong isang-araw, that's better,'” she advised.

For young couples, Maribel encouraged taking time to truly know one another.

“Three years sana, para makita mo 'yung totoong pagkatao, what you're passionate about, what kind of person you are,” she said about dating.

“Iba 'yung naranasan mo, at alam mong ganito siya talaga. Mas madaling tanggapin 'yun at pag-usapan. Kasi the friendship is the one formed in the three years eh. Hindi naman kaagad 'yan. 'Di ba? 'Pag friends kayo, nag-a-adjust ka.”

Addressing biblical teachings often cited about wives submitting to husbands, Maribel noted that such passages are frequently taken out of context.

“The one in the Bible, nakalimutan nila, there is a paragraph before that, that says, the husband is the head of the church and it assumes that the husband is responsible. So we will follow when [he's] responsible and he's thinking of the whole family. Kung hindi, kailangang mag-isip din si misis about these things. So 'yung context na 'yun, usually is taken out of context. Equality din naman eh, what is good for him will be good for her, is very important,” she said.

At the end of their fruitful discussion, Maribel once again noted to have mutual understanding in a relationship. Stepping the ego aside, couples can work and be happy together as they understand each other's feelings and opinions.

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