Glaiza de Castro reveals chance encounter with David Rainey in Siargao sparked forever romance

It’s not everyday someone gets married in a castle in Ireland like a queen!

Glaiza de Castro has revealed that she and her long-time Irish partner David Rainey tied the knot in October 2021 in Northern Ireland.

On the latest “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” Glaiza said it was a chance encounter in Siargao that sparked their forever romance.

According to the actress, she went to Siargao in 2018 to recharge after working on several projects.

Meanwhile, David, a businessman, was also visiting the island on his first trip to the Philippines.

“Sobrang ganda niya (She was so gorgeous),” said David. “I was just blown away. It just felt right and we have so much in common.”

Glaiza also recalled one of her first glimpses of him. “May pinatugtog siyang song, isa ’yun sa mga favorite songs ko noong high school.”

[He played this song, it was one of my favorite songs in high school.]

After they met in Siargao, David rebooked his Cebu ticket and followed Glaiza to Manila to ask her on their first Valentine’s date.

David said this was when he formally started courting Glaiza. He embraced the Filipino culture by learning the language, eating Filipino food, and even driving a tricycle.

At some point, he had to return to Ireland, but he made sure to let Glaiza know of his intentions. Although David seemed to be head over heels for Glaiza, she had her own doubts.

“’Yung parents ko kasi, conservative. May experience sila sa past relationships ng mga tito’t tita ko na hindi maganda pagdating sa mga foreigner,” she said.

[My parents are conservative. They saw my aunts’ and uncles’ bad experiences in their past relationships with foreigners.]

David, however, wasn’t discouraged. After seven months, he was back in the Philippines. He said he was too nervous when he asked Glaiza if they could be together but, fortunately, she said yes.

“Sabi sa akin ng kaibigan ko, ano bang mali dun? Napaisip ako na, sige na nga,” Glaiza said.

[A friend said, what’s so wrong with that? And I thought, all right, let’s do this.]

Glaiza later stayed in Ireland for three months and David introduced her to his parents.

How they survived the distance

After Glaiza went back home, they continued their long-distance relationship.

“Kung mahirap mag-maintain ng relationship, mas mahirap kapag LDR. Paano kaya baka mamaya meron siyang ma-meet? Ang dami mong questions kasi ang layo niya,” the actress said.

[If it’s hard to maintain a relationship, it’s harder if it’s LDR. What if he meets someone new? You have so many questions because he’s so far away.]

To keep the relationship and romance alive, Glaiza and David kept a notebook where they wrote their messages to each other.

“Babasahin ko ’yan kapag nakaalis na siya. Kapag nasa Ireland ako, ako naman ’yung susulat dun sa notebook na ’yun, babasahin niya ’yun kapag nakaalis na ko,” Glaiza said.

[I read it once he’s gone. When I’m in Ireland, I’ll be the one to write in the notebook, and he reads it after I leave.]

Road to forever

In 2020, Glaiza toured David around her hometown in Baler, Aurora. When they found themselves stuck in the province due to the lockdowns, David seized the moment to propose to her.

The following months, however, weren’t easy because they were apart again. Because David had difficulties getting a visa to the Philippines, Glaiza flew to Ireland instead.

Four months ago, the couple finally said their vows during an intimate ceremony atop a mountain beside a castle in Northern Ireland. – Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News