Marvin and Ruth Marcial prove that being deaf is not a hindrance in finding one true love. The couple outside their home in Virginia, USA.

What makes a love story great?

Literature can give us a number of stories that can make our hearts either flutter or break, like the winding twists and turns of Cupid and Psyche, the melodramatic turn of Romeo and Juliet, and the much talked about pop culture couple of our generation, Edward and Bella.

But what of quiet stories - the ones that can be likened to a scenic ride to a nearby seaside, no fireworks, no grand theatricals, just two people who work hard, love freely, and trust much.
Such is the story of Marvin and Ruth Marcial.

SCHOOL DAYS

They knew each other from their elementary school days. Her father and his aunt introduced them to each other. Studying in the same high school, it was there when they had the chance to form a bond that became deeper than friendship.

In October, 1998, two years after their courtship began, Ruth said yes to Marvin. She graduated from high school and proceeded to study in De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s Bachelor in Applied Deaf Studies under the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS). Marvin followed her to DLS-CSB and applied to the same program a year after.

She smiles and animatedly recounts in sign language that she fell for him because he was respectful and understanding. He readily agrees.

Yes, Marvin and Ruth are both deaf.

Marvin’s deafness was caused by natural illness. Both his parents are deaf although Marvin was born hearing.

At three months, Marvin contacted a high fever that caused him to lose his hearing.

Ruth was born profoundly deaf, attributed to the various prescribed medicines that her mother took while pregnant with her.

The couple agreed to take time off their busy schedules to answer questions for this article, four days before their flight to Virginia, USA. The couple will finally be able to live their dream of continuing their careers and starting a family abroad.

GOING THE DISTANCE

Struggling with a long distance relationship was one of the main challenges that both had to face.

In 2002, Ruth had to leave for the US. She had hoped that she would be able to come back right away but the processing of her travel papers took time. They had to content themselves communicating via online chat and webcam.

They did not give up, both waited. The distance all the more made them develop a deeper, more meaningful relationship.

“We always talked online,” Ruth relates, “We were always busy but we let each other be. We saw each other through the web whenever we had time. I never felt that we had problems. We didn’t complain. We trusted each other and solved our concerns. We kept our promise to each other.”

In 2003, Ruth came back to the Philippines to finish her studies. After both clinched their Bachelor’s Degrees (Applied Deaf Studies), they got engaged. After nine years and a half of being together, they got married on November 11, 2006.

ENTERING THE WORKING WORLD

Finding a job in a foreign country proved to be difficult but Ruth forged ahead, “I tried to find work through the internet and deaf organizations. I tried to be proactive and searched newspapers.

My background is in graphic arts but my first job was in a bakery. It was very different from the career I wanted but I needed the money to survive. It’s important for me that I develop myself and so I tried to be positive.”

“Then a family friend encouraged me to apply in a dental laboratory. And even if I did not have knowledge in dentistry, I said, ‘why not?’” Ruth continued, “They told me that in dental aesthetics, I just need to use my eyes and my hands. So I applied and after the interview, they accepted me right away. My mom acted as my interpreter.”

Ruth’s colleagues are all hearing and the one seated next to her is assigned to monitor her work. Most of the time, she makes her own decisions by observing her co-employees. She has been in this dental lab for two years now.

Meanwhile, Marvin was hired as technical support staff and was eventually promoted to administrator of the two main computer laboratories (the PEN-International Multimedia Learning Center and the PEN-International Learning Center) in DLS-CSB. Both were built through a generous grant by the Nippon Foundation through PEN-International, a global partnership of colleges and universities serving the higher education needs of deaf students.

“When I moved with my wife to the US, I would like to be a graphic artist and do some basic computer trouble shooting. We may both continue a career in computer graphics. So when we have our own children, we can show them how successful we are,” Marvin says.

READY TO HAVE A FAMILY

Now that they are finally together after more than three years of being apart, Marvin and Ruth can discuss more about family matters.

“We tried to learn from the experiences of other deaf married couples. Now we know what to do, how to prepare,” Ruth explains. “Now we can start discussing scheduling issues, finances, finding more time to communicate. We’re ready to have a family. I don’t think it’s helpful to think negatively, it all depends on how flexible a person is. It is very important that we both agree on the same goals, like building a family. There should always be understanding.”

Both credit their success to their DLS-CSB education with the full support of SDEAS. “We would like to thank SDEAS for giving us opportunities to grow. We had a lot of good experiences and guidance in new technology,” shares Marvin. “Before, I didn’t know anything about deaf awareness and culture and I’m glad I was given the chance to learn.”

Ruth adds, “I really admire DLS-CSB for helping in bringing out the confidence in us. Many opportunities are opened up for the deaf, especially in deaf organizations, workshops, and other activities in volunteerism, dance, art, and the church.”

Currently, the couple is already settling in at their home in cold Virginia as they eagerly look forward to spring and the promise of a new, exciting life.