Four unlikely, inspiring love stories from “Motorcycle Diaries”

In a recent Valentine’s Day episode of the GMA News TV program “Motorcycle Diaries,” documentarist Jay Taruc met four different couples whose unlikely love stories will inspire hope in even the most jaded of hearts.

Love is patient, love is kind



She’s 69. He’s 66. They’re both blind. Yet it was in a home for the aged that Lolo Jess and Lolo Tessie fell in love not long ago.

Lolo Jess remembers bumping into Lola Tessie while walking from his room. Upon hearing Tessie’s name for the first time, he said, “Ang ganda naman ng pangalan, parang tumalab sa puso ko.”

Since then they have been inseparable. Lolo Jess tied bells to their walking sticks, so Lola Tessie can hear when he's on the way to see her.

For nine years, Lolo Jess has dutifully picked Lola Tessie up from her room every morning. It's enough for them to simply together, hold hands, talk, sing, and laugh.

“Para sa akin, kung anong pagtingin noon, hanggang ngayon hindi nagbabago,” said Lola Tessie.

Lolo Jess added, “Ang pagmamahal, hindi yan sinusukat sa porke bulag ka, porke ganito ka. Hindi sinusukat sa edad. Kung tapat ka lang talaga, ay mamahalin mo siya habang buhay.”

Love does not envy; it does not boast, it is not proud

Muji and Shiela, who have been together for almost six years and have two kids, defy traditional gender roles in their relationship. While Shiela works in an accounting firm, Muji stays home to cook, clean, and look after their kids.



Muji’s role as a modern-day house husband started when his lending business went bankrupt five years ago. Since then, he’s had no problem staying at home: ”Sa family, kapag isa nagtrabaho, dapat isa sa bahay.”

“Usually, pagdating ko sa bahay, sine-serve pa ako [ni Muji],” gushed Shiela. “Malambing siya. Responsible. Pagdating sa mga bata, walang problema.”

Though they’ve talked about the possibility of marriage, Muji and Shiela believe that their love doesn’t need to be validated by a formal ceremony or document.

“Yung stable muna kami at yung mga bata. Mabilis lang naman magpakasal,” explained Shiela.

Love is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs

Sometimes, love is just waiting for the right time to flourish.  For Lolo Hermie and Lola Juana, it took 42 years.



Lola Juana and Lolo Hermie first met in 1933 when they were both just teenagers in Bulacan. It was Lola Juana’s cousin who introduced her to Lolo Hermie.

Lolo Hermie wooed Lola Juana through constant letters and visits. “Mula doon sa Hagonoy hanggang Sta. Elena’y naglalakad lang yan,” Lola Juana said fondly.

Lolo Hermie went to school in Manila, vowing to return and marry Lola Juana.  Unfortunately, he got another girl pregnant. “Sabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘Mula ngayon hindi na ako iibig,’” recalled Lola Juana.

Lolo Hermie eventually moved to Brazil, where he lived for years. But he never forgot Juana.

After over 30 years of waiting for each other, the two met again and rekindled their romance. They married at the age of 63.

“Hinihingi ko lang sana yung humaba yung buhay niya. Para kami’y magkasama ng matagal,” said Lola Juana.

Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

For 21 years now, Michael’s wife Nene has suffered from a mysterious mental illness that doctors have been unable to explain.

She was depressed for a few months after her father’s death. After that, she would cry hysterically every morning or whenever she was left alone.

Despite Michael’s demanding work as both a driver and barangay councilor, he’s strived to take care of Nene and their children. “Bigla ako tumatakbo [pauwi] kasi sinasabi, ‘Kagawad, umiiyak na naman po yung asawa niyo.’ Uuwi na kaagad ako nun.”



Michael admits that there were times he almost gave up on her: “Minsan dumarating yun pero naiisip ko din mali pala. Wala namang mag-iintindi sa kanya kundi ako lang eh. Ako rin masasaktan pag ‘di ko siya naasikaso.”

Thankfully, Nene’s condition isn’t constant. On some days, she seems normal. There are tender moments between the two. Sometimes Nene gives Michael a sponge bath. Other times they watch television or fall asleep together.



“Minsan sumasagi sa isip ko yun na ‘Lord bakit ganito? Hanggang saan ba itong paghihirap na ito?’” said Michael. “Pero hangga’t nabubuhay ako, sabi ko nga sa asawa ko ‘Hangga't nabubuhay ako hindi kita iiwanan.’”

“Mahal na mahal ko ‘yan. Kahit na mahirap, kakayanin ko para sa kanya,” he said. — Aimee Dacanay/PF, GMA News