Campus love stories: UP edition

MANILA, Philippines – Red is not the only color that can symbolize love. On the day of love, the heart turns maroon for the students of the University of the Philippines who are capable of balancing their academics with their love lives. 

Here are a couple of heart-warming love stories of iskolars that grew to love.

A Spur of the Moment

It was on her third year of college when Bea had a crush on her senior, Chubbs, who was also a member of the Writers’ Club. She applied for the club; however, she didn’t make the cut, and to make matters worse (and awkward!) it was Chubbs who broke the news to her. Since that time, although they remained good friends, she kept her distance from him, especially when she saw that he’s busy and that he’s going to graduate. 

Then, it happened around mid-2014 when Chubbs tweeted Bea, expressing his interest in Dungeons and Dragons. Bea immediately tweeted back, mentioning her best friend – and a mutual friend of Chubbs – who was a pro at that game, and that she could arrange a gaming session sometime. After that, they started catching up with each other, and to this day, Bea often wonders how it’s possible that they only started bonding years after they first met. 

November was a major turning point in their relationship. Chubbs invited Bea for merienda with him. Bea, of course, happily accepted the offer, and they ate while chatting, with music wafting in the background. Now, it would have been a typical afternoon with her friend, but that was until Chubbs decided to ask Bea a question: could they start dating?

Bea’s world suddenly stopped, then it started spinning faster and faster. It was something that she didn’t see coming, much to the amusement of Chubbs who asked, “You didn’t know I started liking you?” Ten minute after calming down and assessing the situation, she finally said yes with a face that was as red as a tomato. One month after, they became official. 

To Bea, Chubbs became more human in her eyes, after knowing his secrets, likes, weaknesses, memories and family among others. The same could be said for Chubbs who finally saw Bea’s shy side and helped her see the brighter things in life. Like two branches of a tree, they grew both strong yet connected, and despite the occasional bumps, they are still able to hold onto their foundation of trust. He promised her that he’d always have her back, and she promised him the same. 

Over a year after that one fateful meeting, Bea and Chubbs still continue to surprise themselves with their day-to-day moments. 

Growing With You

Maria* and and Jose’s* story, like most so-called “UP love stories,” started in the classroom. Only it wasn’t a love story then. When they first met during their sophomore year, they were just batchmates. Orgmates. Friends.

They became partners during their first national debate competition. They ended up as groupmates in subjects and they decided to be partners for their final paper. Weeks and weeks of being inseparable for trainings, meetings, deadlines, and the odd search for a generator-powered apartment during brownouts settled into a comfortable habit. They enjoyed being together. But it still wasn’t a love story then.

It didn’t become a love story until a year later, when Jose finally mustered up enough courage to say what he felt. They may have had a few slips and bumps, but they finally figured that perhaps it wasn’t just proximity that made them feel so at ease with each other.

College relationships don’t take much work, especially in the insulated environment of UP Los Baños. They’d see each other in between breaks, after class, during weekends. They had more or less the same dilemmas and goals: deadlines, math, meager allowances. They’d read the same books, watch the same shows, learn to listen to the same songs. They thrived upon learning that they have a lot in common, and relished the fact that they could share so much between ourselves.

It was after graduation that things became a lot more challenging. They began arguing and disagreeing on a lot of things. Unsurprisingly, they have turned out more different than alike. As people grow up, they change. It happens to everyone, us included.

Despite all presumed efforts, they haven’t managed to quit changing. Nor do they want to stop each other from doing so. As they continue to get older, they discover more of our differences. In doing so, they end up knowing of more and more things to love about each other.  – Rappler.com

*Anonymous names were given by request of the subjects.

Samantha Santos is a Rappler intern.