Photo By ROBBIE PANGILINAN

MANILA, Philippines — Alfred Romualdez and Cristina “Kring-Kring” Gonzales-Romualdez look wonderful together. They have built a wonderful family in Tacloban City, where Alfred is the mayor and Kring-Kring is a two-term councilor. Their wonderful life began on the eve of her birthday back in 1996, when they first met through common friends at the popular Makati hangout Giraffe. Alfred did not even know it was Kring-Kring’s big day.

Alfred Romualdez is part of the famous Romualdez clan of Leyte. Imee and Bongbong Marcos are his cousins. Kring-Kring was actually inspired to be a public servant because of her husband’s dedication to serve his constituents in the city.

When asked if they fell in love at first sight, Mayor Alfred paused to think while Kring-Kring giggled like a high school girl. Then they looked at each other. Mayor Alfred answered seriously, “May degree kasi ‘yung love at first sight. Pang-habambuhay ba na love at first sight o love at first sight na dahil lang sa physical appearance? That time we were past our 30s already, so I think those kinds of things do not apply anymore.”

Kring-Kring retorted, “Late 20s pa lang ako ‘nun, ikaw lang ang 30s,” but agreed with the rest of what her husband said.

Alfred continued, “I was not seeing anyone at that time. We started talking and there were so many things we discovered about each other, like we happened to stay in the same condo but never saw each other before. We have mutual friends and some of her relatives are married to my relatives so there’s already some commonality between us.”

Kring-Kring also recalled what happened the day they met, “That time, I just came from another relationship. Ayoko talagang magka-boyfriend muna. Pero sabi nga nila, ‘pag ayaw mo, that’s the time na darating. So when I met him, I got impressed with the way he talks and carries himself. He’s intelligent. Kasi if you only look at the physical appearance, for example a handsome guy pero hindi marunong magsalita, ‘di ba nakaka-turn off? Of course I thought he was good-looking and all that, pero hindi sasabihin na love at first sight. The more I got to talk to him and knew him, that’s the time I fell in love with him.”

The two went out two weeks after the Giraffe encounter, when Alfred invited Kring Kring to play golf. She wanted to learn the sport back then so Alfred tried to teach her (she never learned it). Then he invited her to dinner, and since that time, they dated exclusively. They tried everything together – traveling, engaging in sports, dining out at different restaurants in different parts of the country and the world, riding his yacht, working together, among others.

Alfred may not have courted Kring-Kring the traditional way, like visiting the lady’s house with flowers or chocolates. Alfred added that since these are modern times already and as they were both past that stage, they were mature enough to start a serious relationship.

“The courtship was when we became friends; we always went out, always talked,” Kring-Kring shared.

“The best way to know each other was to try going out and experiencing different things together – meeting new people, going to restaurants and new places, trying things like sports, having new discoveries, working together. ‘Dun mo makikita talaga kung kailan siya up na up or down na down, her likes and dislikes,” Alfred continued.

But while both were already of age, they were still careful about their moves. “Timing and pakiramdam are key,” Alfred said. Both had problems in their respective past relationships so they were wary about getting hurt again.

“I was careful not to get rejected. But both of us really knew what we were getting into. We did not force each other into anything,” said Alfred. Kring-Kring did not even have to say “yes” explicitly; they just understood that they were already a couple.

The proposal came a year after, but it was not an explicit proposal, either. It was in one of those times they were together that they just talked about it and made a decision.

“It wasn’t like a traditional proposal. We both brought up the subject and discussed it and the question was just really when. There was no doubt about one having to ask another one, ‘Are you willing to go into a permanent relationship?’ Hindi ganun ang nangyari. It just came so naturally, it was understood,” Alfred explained.

The dream wedding held in Tacloban was a major production that needed intense preparation. It was attended by celebrities, politicians and media personalities. Thousands of guests were present.

“The preparations were really stressful. But I enjoyed it. Of course, he left with me decisions on color motif, my gown and the entourage’s wardrobe, invitations, designs of everything. I got Bridesmaids and Co. to help me since it was quite a big wedding,” Kring-Kring recalled.

After the wedding, then newly-elected Leyte representative Alfred got sick and the couple had to postpone their honeymoon. Kring-Kring thinks that their real honeymoon happened when Alfred won as mayor and they had a 45-day break before he assumed office. Alfred said, “We might not be able to do this anymore, so let’s it do it now.” They went to the USA, rented a big bike and rode from California to Oregon, which is more than 1,000 kilometers. Kring-Kring loved the experience – the wind on her face, the freedom, the climate, the thought of not knowing where they will spend the night. They also did that from Kuala Lumpur to Phuket. More than any gift, Kring-Kring loves traveling and being away from work and stress.

Their marriage is not a perfect one. Every day is a learning experience. And in that experience, Alfred and Kring-Kring said that the important parts are having God as the center, love as their bond and time as the investment.

“We’re not perfect so we ask guidance from God. He holds our marriage together,” Kring-Kring shared while Alfred said, “Our marriage has different facets – career, family, business. We make time for all that while still having time together.”

Making time requires effort, and sometimes sacrifice, for the very busy couple. They have to schedule everything because of the demands of their work. But, ever since their daughters came into their lives, Alfred and Kring-Kring have not had quality time just by themselves.

“When we have free time, we spend it with the children because they demand time with us,” said Alfred. “They demand attention,” Kring-Kring added. Both know that parenting is a different stage altogether.

“When we go out, we need to sneak out pa because they cry when we leave without them,” Kring-Kring says of her two daughters, Sophia, who is nine years old, and Diana, eight. So they always end up just watching DVD movies at home. But no one’s really complaining. They both know that time with the children is very important in their development. The parents teach the girls to be self-reliant, bring them closer to God and to never stop learning.

In the house, the two help each other with chores. They both cook but Kring-Kring is the only one who bakes. Alfred cooks great steaks and grills. He also knows basic Filipino dishes like tinola. The only place in the house that they do not share is Alfred’s garage, his own little space. Kring-Kring says she does not touch anything there.

Kring-Kring believes that the most special gift she has ever received from Alfred are her children. She describes Alfred as a good husband, good father and good mayor who’s responsible, mature, family-oriented and dedicated, saying that whatever he does and whatever he’s into, he keeps his focus there and gives his all. She adds that 100 percent of the qualities she was looking for in a man are in him.

Not many people know that Alfred loves music. One of his favorite songs, which he dedicates to Kring-Kring, is Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight.” And it is wonderful indeed, sharing their lives together, not only tonight, but forever.