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vday blog
Love is similar to the weather in its unpredictability. But unlike the weather, which may be roughly predicted, feelings develop spontaneously, which makes love all the more exciting.
This Valentine’s Day, we hear love stories from the weather forecasters at PAGASA. Discover how they found their “tamang panahon” and how the weather brought these couples together.

“Na-fall kami na parang ulan…”
Fernando “Deedoy” Cada (Aviation Meteorologist Assistant / Former PAGASA Weather Forecaster) & Cherry Jane Cada (PAGASA Weather Specialist)

In the case of Deedoy and Cherry, friendship became the foundation of their relationship. When they met each other in 1998, both were in a long distance relationship (LDR). Still, people at the PAGASA teased the two because they were around the same age.

The turning point
One day, Cherry asked Deedoy help in fixing her father’s car, which incurred scratches.

“Nag-thank you siya sa akin. Sabi ko ”Anong thank you? May bayad ‘yun,” Deedoy recounts. “Inilibre niya ako ng hamburger. Simula n’un naging magkaibigan kami. Alam namin na hindi kami pwede kasi nga parehas kaming may ka-LDR.”

Since they were already friends, they often confided to each other. Then one day, Cherry invited Deedoy to watch a Lea Salonga concert. “May song d’un na ‘di namin makakalimutan, yung Fallin’,” says Deedoy. “Dun nagsimula.” They became even closer when Cherry’s boyfriend called it quits. When Deedoy realized that he was falling for Cherry, he parted ways with his girlfriend in the province.

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Weathering the Storms
Because of their unexpected love story, Cherry and Deedoy consider their relationship as “rainy”. “Na-fall kami na parang ulan. Hindi mo inaasahan. Minsan nga o madalas, ‘di mo alam biglaan na lang, ‘di ba? Pero gaya ng ulan, may indikasyon naman bago ito mangyari,” explains Deedoy.

Believing in Forever
Deedoy believes that the love between husband and wife may last forever, but they have to exert effort to make it work. “Love is not something that you can turn off and on. If you truly love that person, yung pagiging matapat mo sa kanya, loyal ka dapat kahit madaming tukso, respeto at pag-uunawaan sa isa’t isa. At siyempre ang pagmamahal or love, can last forever. You just have to make it happen. Nasa sa iyo ‘yun.”

Celebrating Valentine’s Day
Cherry and Deedoy will not be able to celebrate this year’s Valentine’s Day together. But thanks to technology, they’ll still be able to see each other.

“Two consecutive years na ‘di kami magkasama mag-celebrate ng wife at anak ko this Valentine’s. Last year nasa US ako, then now dito naman ako sa UAE. Siguro through Skype kami magsi-celebrate. Kahit hindi man kami magkasama in person this Valentine, sa isip at lalo na sa puso namin, tuloy pa rin ang Araw ng mga Puso!”

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“Kailangan mong maging matapang kapag magmamahal ka…”
Juanito “Jun” Galang (PAGASA Weather Forecaster) & Angelina Galang (PAGASA Weather Specialist)

They say that a good relationship is worth the wait.

Jun first met Angelina in 1999 during the Observer Training Course in PAGASA. Nothing happened then, but they met again in 2003 for the Meteorologist Training Course. Both were in a relationship, but Jun believed that they were destined for each other.
“Paano kami nagkatuluyan? Hmm… mahabang istorya eh. May boyfriend siya, may girlfriend ako. Masasabi ko lang na niloob iyon ng Diyos na kaming dalawa ang magkatuluyan. Destiny, ika nga..”

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The couple considers their two children as their most precious gifts. And like the ups and downs of weather conditions, Jun has learned to deal with marital challenges through constant communication and prayers. “Madalas sunny o maganda ang panahon. Minsan may time din na rainy, kasi sa buhay mag-asawa, ‘di naman maiiwasan na dumaan sa ganitong kondisyon. Kasama iyon sa buhay mag-asawa, although wala naman na may gusto na mangyari iyon.”

Believing in Forever
Jun believes that if you have faith in God and if you pray, you will find forever. “Kaya nga kailangan mong maging matapang kapag magmamahal ka, kasi alam mo na anytime pwede ‘yang mawala. Pero ang pagkakaroon ng pananampalataya ang magbibigay sa ’yo ng forever.”

True to this, Jun thinks Valentine’s Day is not just for couples, but also for families. Going to church, dining out, watching movies and seeing the kids play – that is how he pictures their Valentine’s Day.

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“Naniniwala ako na may forever!”
Samuel Duran (PAGASA Weather Forecaster) & Adel Castillo-Duran (PAGASA Hydrologist/Researcher)

Samuel and Adel met while enroling for the MS Atmospheric Science under the DOST-SEIASTHRDP program in 2007. At that time, Samuel had already been working in PAGASA for two years, while Adel had just recently graduated from her bachelor’s course. Samuel claims that it was love at first sight.

“N’ung makita ko siya, nagustuhan ko na siya.”

Samuel volunteered to tutor Adel, not only to help her with her studies, but also to get a chance to court her. “And since nag-aaral, maraming homework. Outsider siya so siyempre, wala pa siya masyadong alam sa Meteorology kaya nagpresinta ako na i-tutor siya. Paraan ko ‘yun para magpapansin at manligaw.”

His tactics worked and he was able to capture Adel’s heart.“December 25 niya ako sinagot and after four years, nagpakasal kami.”

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Happily Married
Samuel would never forget how he jumped for joy when he found out that they were going to have a child. He was in China when Adel informed him through chat that she was pregnant.

The day before his daughter’s delivery, Adel was able to report to duty to finish her presentation for the Climate Forum. “Nung gabi, sobrang daing niya na humihilab na ‘yung tiyan niya. Kinabukasan, we went to the hospital. The doctor found out that she’s already 4 cm. She insisted na babalik na lang siya pag 9 cm na. The doctor just laughed and told her na ‘di na siya pwedeng lumabas kasi dadalhin na siya sa labor room. Magkahalong kaba, takot at sari-saring emotion ang naramdaman ko that time.”

Celebrating almost five years of marriage, Samuel likens their relationship to the weather, explaining that it’s sunny when everything goes well as planned, rainy when there is a misunderstanding, windy when a simple misunderstanding becomes a big issue, and stormy when they face big challenges.
“Kahit gaano kabigat ang problema namin, kailangan may time pa rin magsimba at magdasal. And siyempre, love, patience and support. Sobrang magkaiba ang personality naming mag-asawa pero gan’un pa man, kailangan naming magtulungan. Nandiyan din naman ang aming family and friends na sumusuporta sa amin.”

Believing in Forever
For Samuel and Adel, forever is a promise to hold on to. “Sa relasyon naming mag-asawa, ang tanging pinanghahawakan lang namin ay yung pagmamahalan namin sa isa’t isa.‘Yung binitiwan naming pangako sa harap ng Diyos: ‘Til death do us part. Kahit na mawala na kami, pero ‘yung love namin sa isa’t isa ay mananatili pa rin…kaya naniniwala ako na may forever!”

Celebrating Valentine’s Day
Adel is currently in Japan taking up her PhD so Mary Catherine, their daughter, will be Samuel’s date this Valentine’s Day. Since February 14 falls on a Sunday, he will certainly bring her to church. “After the mass, pupunta kami sa play yard for kids sa mall, kakain ng french fries–‘yun ang favorite ni Kat. Si Misis, online chat. Kakauwi niya lang dito nung December to January last year, kaya I believe na-celebrate na rin namin ‘yung Valentines.”

Samuel also revealed that Adel is now pregnant with their second baby.

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Take it from the country’s top weather forecasters—love may be unpredictable unlike the weather, but whenever or however it chooses to enter your life, be ready to respond with openness and faith.

Happy Valentine’s, everyone!