‘Lost Loves’: True stories of couples who found love amid society’s judgments

Has modern society become more open to unconventional relationships? Despite the growing portrayal of such stories on mass media, a lot of people, especially the youth, still face feelings of doubt and discrimination that often lead to getting denied the freedom to love.

According to a 2017 Closeup purpose quantitative study, three in four youths had pursued an unconventional relationship, but one in two of those youths keep their relationship secret due to fear of discrimination. These numbers are evident in these real life stories, where couples were the denied the freedom to love because of societal pressures:

Mark and Paul
Manila, Philippines

Eleven years ago, Mark and Paul were in a relationship. In one of Closeup’s ‘Lost Loves’ films, Mark recalls, “First months of the relationship, we [were] good. And then, as time [went] by, the relationship [adjusted] too much because of the social pressure we feel.” Being in a same-sex relationship hindered Mark and Paul from pursuing their love for each other because the latter’s parents didn’t approve of their union. “When your partner’s parents [don’t] approve the relationship you’re having, that will be the hardest part,” says Mark. Today, the former lovers have decided to meet again, in the hopes of reconnecting what was lost between them.

Anika and Rahul
New Delhi, India

“I did fall in love with someone, who did not belong to my caste,” Anika from India shares. She and her love, Rahul, had different backgrounds: Anika is a Punjabi and Rahul is Brahmin, different classes in India’s caste system, which ultimately became their great divide. Their dreams of doing great things together were never realized because they had to stick to what people decided for them, even if they shared a great love. Anika and Rahul believed they had no choice but to go their separate ways. The film with Anika’s story ended with the two meeting again—joyful—after years of being separated, in which Anika concludes, “We should have the full freedom to love and be with the person we want to be.”

Luana and Maria
Recife, Brazil

Brazil may have one of the world’s biggest pride parades, but for Luana, it’s tough to be a homosexual in her country—pointing out the violence against LGBT people there. “I think my parents not accepting my sexual orientation ultimately affected my relationship with Maria Eduarda,” Luana says in her native tongue. They had to separate with a tearful farewell in the airport. Three years after, however, the two meet again—with their tears replaced by smiles. After reuniting with Maria Eduarda, Luana leaves this thought to viewers, “I think we all have a right to be happy and choose to love whoever we want.”

The ‘Lost Loves’ films are part of Closeup’s stand in giving people the freedom to love and its mission of sending this message to the world. The teary and heartfelt reunions in the videos show us that the strongest desires of the heart can triumph even when they do not follow conventional standards. This gives hope to future generations that barriers to love and closeness can be undone—and love can truly win.

Find out more about the #FreeToLove movement on https://freetolove.closeup.ph.