Juvilyn and Joel: Another chance at love after Yolanda tore their families apart

It was when they lost everything that they found the promise of love with each other.

Super Typhoon Yolanda, which hit central Philippines on November 8, 2013, was the storm that killed thousands of lives, broke families apart, and shocked the entire nation and the rest of the world.

Juvilyn Luaña and Joel Aradana did not know each other then.

Luaña lost her husband, all of her six children, her mother and her best friend. Aradana lost his wife, his only son and a daughter. Three of his daughters survived the super typhoon.

They were both lost, not knowing how to cope with their pain. With no husband and children to tend to, Lauña admitted that she spent most of her time drinking with friends. Aradana also developed a drinking problem, which became a common pastime for those who lost a big part of their lives in the aftermath of the deadly storm.

"Pagkatapos talaga ng Yolanda, lagi nalang ako nagmumukmok, sabi ko sa sarili ko 'Parang mababaliw na ako,'" Luaña said.

But this state of limbo changed when she met Aradana.

It all started with 'Jo'

Luaña and Aradana met at a livelihood program in Tacloban City that aimed to restore the lives of the survivors months after Yolanda. She made fish nets along with the other women while he repaired boats.

"After Yolanda, ayoko na tawagin akong Len kasi naaalala ko ang asawa ko. Parang narinig ko 'yung boses niya kaya ayoko magpatawag ng Len, Jo na lang," she said in an interview with GMA News Online.

Little did she know that the change of nickname would be the first step to a new relationship. Aradana's cousin stepped in and introduced them to each other.

"Pareho kayong Jo, pareho rin kayong balo," Aradana's cousin pointed out, which prompted the teasing.

But Aradana is a man of silence. When in a big group, he would often keep to himself in a corner with his guitar. In fact, during their interview with GMA News Online, he just listened and smiled as his partner told their love story.

One day, Luaña decided to talk to Aradana.

"Sabi ko, 'Jo ka, Jo ako. Balo ka, balo ako. Bagay tayo...' 'Yung biru-biruan namin natuloy doon sa nagkagustuhan na kami," she said with a wide smile.

But it was Aradana's hardworking nature that caught Luaña's attention.

"Bago pa 'yung Yolanda 'yung buhay pa ang asawa niya, wala na 'yang ibang ginawa kundi maghanapbuhay. Ako naman parang nagka-interes doon sa sinabi nila... Ang galing naman ng taong ito, sabi ko, 'Siguro magkakasakit ka kung wala kang trabaho, wala kang ginagawa,'" she said.

Blooming love in Samar: A little nudge can go a long way

Luaña said that it was when Aradana invited her to attend a fiesta in Samar where some of his relatives live that made her take all the teasing seriously.

His family also encouraged her to start a relationship with Aradana. She felt that she was welcome, which was new to her because her family and her in-laws never got along with each other when her husband was still alive, she said.  

"Parang na-touch ako na hindi pa nga kami…[welcome na ako]," she said.

After meeting Aradana's family, Luaña wondered, "Ano kaya kung subukan ko naman magmahal ulit?"

Love in full bloom inspires people to move forward

That little nudge hit her but after losing her first love and their children in one tragic day, Luaña found it hard to love again. But she has a brave heart and a daring soul and finally decided to let Aradana into her life.

“Lagi niyang sinasabi sa akin na 'Mag-ayos ka na, 'wag ka nang gumawa ng ganyan (inuman) kasi meron ng magpapahalaga sa iyo,’” she said.

When they decided to be together, they realized that love reignited their desire to live—not just to survive.

“Parang nagkaroon ng direksyon ang buhay naming… Noong nakilala ko si Joel, parang gumaan ang pakiramdam ko. ‘Yung mga nararamdaman kong sakit at saka bigat sa buhay ko, mga dala-dala kong problema, parang unti-unting nabawasan at napapangiti niya ako ng totoong ngiti," Luaña said.

Wedding bells and a baby: Some stories end with a 'happily ever after'

Luaña revealed that they are planning to get married, but Aradana has yet to file a death certificate for his deceased wife because her body was never found, along with those of his two children.

Despite the painful past, Luaña and Aradana are ready to face their second chance on life and love now that their family is growing.

"Siya ang naging way para maging maligaya ako ulit. Nagkaroon ako ng pangarap na magkaroon ako ng mga anak," she said.

Luaña is now four months pregnant.

She said that it was already impossible for them to find each other but fate had another plan.  

"Si God na siguro din ang nagbigay ng way na magkakilala kami ni Joel… Parang may gumawa ng daan para sa aming dalawa," she said.

To this, Aradana finally spoke: "'Wag mawalan ng pag-asa… Basta't buhay tayo, may pag-asa." — BM, GMA News