Photo By ROBBIE PANGILINAN

MANILA, Philippines — For this couple, love, marriage and family life are pretty much like an FX ride – an adventure that may be bumpy and a bit scary at times, but may be a meaningful one if you learn to enjoy the journey.

Their love story actually started inside a Tamaraw FX in Quiapo, Manila 14 years ago. It was one rainy day in October 1997. Classes in UST, where Jeffrey was studying law, were suspended. He was forced to walk from UST to Quiapo Church to increase his chances of getting an FX going to Fairview.

Minet was also waiting for an FX in Quiapo. Noticing her pretty face, several tambays offered to get her a ride. When an FX finally stopped in front of her, the tambays hurriedly opened the door of the front seat. But as she was about to climb into the vehicle, a guy rushed and boxed her out, taking the seat beside the driver. A bit annoyed, Minet got into the FX after the guy and sat beside him.

That guy was Jeffrey, also known to his friends as Jaja. Anticipating the heavy traffic, he opened a law book. Beside him, a miffed but curious Minet asked, "Are you in law school?” Jaja replied “Yes. How about you?” she answered, “No, I’m already working.” Jaja closed his book, because this girl was more interesting than Supreme Court rulings and criminal cases. They talked through the three-hour traffic.

It was not love at first sight, since “It was dark and neither of us had a good look at each other’s face,” says Atty. Jaja Juanengo. For Minet, as her initial annoyance faded, it was more of meeting a friend who you just felt comfortable with right away.

Before they parted, Jaja had already asked for Minet’s phone number. And the day after they met, Jaja called Minet. From then on, they would talk on the phone every day. The courtship began. Jaja would bring and pick up Minet from her office Monday to Friday. On weekends, he took her to the movies at SM Megamall, Robinson’s Galleria, or Rockwell, and went to hear mass with her.

What started in an FX led to a proposal through a Valentine Card with an erased “I Love You” message. Jaja was too shy to say his feelings out loud but somehow needed to send his message across. So he asked Minet to read the card out loud and called her attention to the erased part. He then confirmed it to her in person. The FX meeting ended up with wedding vows and promises of forever at the altar of the Santisssimo Rosario Parish in UST on April 12, 2003.

Jaja liked Minet’s independence and open mindedness, while Minet fell in love with Jaja’s sweetness, sense of humor and for being caring and responsible. So far, their married life has been, according to Jaja “rough at times, but manageable all the time" and for Minet, “Great! There are more good times than bad times." Minet admits that they have had a lot of difficulties and issues as a couple, but that at the end of the day, one has to submit and understand one’s partner.

As a husband, Jaja takes his responsibilities as leader and provider seriously. Minet likes taking care of Jaja, especially when he’s sick, and just being there for him constantly. Their marriage is kept strong by their love for each other, for their children and for God.

They have two kids, Adreinne, 7, and Jeffrey John, 3. Adreinne or Audrey looks exactly like Minet while Jian is a smaller version of Jaja. Both got Jaja’s sense of humor and Minet’s kasungitan. Audrey is reserved and lady-like, much like her mom, but got her height and her feistiness from Jaja. Jian, on the other hand, is very organized to the point of being OC like his mom, but the rest of his traits, like his humor, kakulitan and being sociable, he got from Jaja.

Jaja and Minet treat their children like friends, encouraging them to speak up, share secrets and enjoy the company of their parents. Jaja takes the beautiful, charming, playful and intelligent Audrey out on dates, eating, strolling and doing whatever she feels like doing. Father and daughter also swim together.

“I treat Audrey as very special. Our relationship transcends that of being father-daughter. I am her friend, brother, trainer, motivator, and everything that she needs me to be,” Jaja shares.

The handsome, sweet, smart and articulate Jian is the couple’s Number One guy. Jaja and Jian play almost everything a boy can play with, biking and jogging together included. Jaja is Jian’s trainer, fan, mentor and big brother.

The family has gone to Walt Disney World in Florida, their favorite place by far, followed by Universal Studios. In the Philippines, the family enjoys staying at Marriot Hotel and Sofitel, and going to Tagaytay.

As parents, Jaja and Minet foresee that Audrey and Jian may live alone and far away from each other in the future. But they hope the values they taught their children --- inner strength, hard work, courage, always doing the right thing and trusting God --- would serve them well.   Someday, Jaja and Minet would want them to become what they want to become; whatever that is does not matter much to the couple, as long as they become the best in whatever field they choose.

Humor is something that their home is always full of. Minet describes Jaja as a natural clown who can make her and the kids laugh all day. She actually fell in love with his sense of humor way back then. Jaja uses humor to get his message across, even when disciplining the children.

Jaja and Minet call each other Lab, a Tagalog version of Love, “para may touch of being Pinoy pa rin,” according to Jaja. They still go on dates over coffee, make sure they have bonding time with the kids especially on weekends, and enjoy late night chats. Simple dates are very special for them, even with just coffee or tea and dessert for Minet and a bottle of beer for Jaja.

When they are old and gray, Jaja and Minet both want to have a farm and retire there. Tagaytay is one place that comes to mind.

Recently, Minet gave Jaja an Ipod Touch that keeps him company at all times. He says it pushes his back in the gym and inspires him during a game. Minet wants to give him an IPad, a watch and a badminton racket. On the other hand, Minet treasures the watch that Jaja gave her years ago. She uses it until now. Jaja says he would like to give his wife a new watch, a trip to Amanpulo and a bigger house.

But, the gift they treasure most is the gift of friendship that started in an FX, blossomed into love and built a beautiful family. It was a fateful FX ride that brought them together. And for that, they will be forever grateful.