MANILA -- When Yeng Constantino introduced her first boyfriend through an Instagram post last month, not a few were left wondering who he was.
In her June 26 post on the popular image-sharing service (seen above), which went viral with over 10,000 "likes" and 500 comments, the 24-year-old singer only showed her posing for a picture with the man she only referred to as "love."
Speaking with reporters at a press conference early this week, however, Constantino finally spoke at length about her new-found love, and shared details about how they became a couple last June 18.
Constantino's first-ever boyfriend, Victor Asuncion, is a worship director at Victory Christian Fellowship in Greenhills, San Juan City. Before taking active part in the church, he was a member of a band.
According to Constantino, she met Victor through a common friend last year, when they would hang out a number of times until becoming good friends themselves. The singer added, however, that there was a long period that followed when they wouldn't see each other.
"Medyo may ganap na hindi nagkita nang matagal," the Kapamilya singer was quoted as saying by the entertainment news site Push. "And then when we saw each other again, parang, 'Ay. eto na 'yun.' Feeling ko eto na 'yun."
Courtship
Describing Asuncion's courtship style, Constantino said, "Nagpunta siya sa bahay, alam mo 'yung traditional, pero more of getting to know talaga."
It didn't take too long before Asuncion won the approval of Constantino's parents. The singer said she was nonetheless warned by both her mom and dad about the "critical stage" of being in a new relationship.
"Tanggap naman nila 'yung boyfriend ko. Masaya si papa at mama para sa akin. Basta ang sabi lang nila, 'Anak, ingatan mo sarili mo. Siyempre alam naman na kritikal 'yung ganyang stage, kapag may magawa ka mang mali, magiging domino effect.' Sobrang grateful ako na pinaalalahanan ako ng magulang ko na mag-ingat sa ginagawa ko," she said.
Asked what qualities of Asuncion she particularly found endearing, Constantino pointed to his being of service to others in faith, and his apparent awareness of his shortcomings as a partner.
"Nagustuhan ko 'yung love niya para sa mga tao. When he speaks about malasakit, like kapag nakakakita siya ng mga tao, 'yun lang gusto niya gawin. He really wants to serve God.
"'Yun ang pinakarurok para sa akin kasi naniniwala ako na kapag ang lalaki mahal si God, alam na alam niya kung papaano ka niya mamahalin. Hindi naman siya magiging perpekto, alam ko naman 'yun eh, kasi tao po 'yan eh. Pero alam niya kung saan siya babalik kapag sumablay siya," she said.
'Love language'
Barely a month into their relationship, Constantino admitted that they are both still "studying" their own dynamic as a couple. She cited as an example their different communication styles.
"Halimbawa, kapag hindi niya ako tine-text, feeling ko hindi niya ako nami-miss. Sabihin nun, 'Sobrang namiss kaya kita. Kahit nagwo-work ako ikaw iniisip ko.' 'Eh, bakit 'di mo ako tinext?' 'Hindi ako ma-text.' 'Eh, gusto ko mag-text ka.' 'O sige, magte-text na ako.' Tapos 'yun na. Marunong na siya ngayon," she said.
Constantino added that despite their difference in "love language," they still make an effort to express their feelings for each other.
"Kapag babae ka, parang ang daming puro papunta sa 'yo. Dapat i-pursue mo ako. Pero kapag mahal mo pala isang tao, kusa siya na 'anong gusto ko gawin para sa kanya?' Gusto mo i-express na mahal mo siya. Hindi naman kayo pareho ng love language, pero gusto mo iparating sa kanya na mahal mo siya.
"Halimbawa, pumunta ako ng office niya, nilinis ko table niya. Tapos naglagay ako ng food and chocolates. Hindi ko nga alam, pero sobrang gusto ko lang gawin," she said.
On 'cloud nine'
Despite some adjustments in the early stages of their relationship, Constantino said she couldn't be happier to have Asuncion as her first boyfriend.
"Sobrang masaya po ako. Ngayon ko lang naranasan ang ganitong klaseng saya. Para akong na sa cloud nine. Palagi [kaming naghahawak-kamay]. Sobrang iba talaga ang feeling. Mas lalong inspired ka to be just excellent in everything you do. Sobrang blessing siya sa akin," she said.
Sharing that she is likewise Asuncion's first official relationship, Constantino said, "Sabi niya sa akin, madaming magandang babae pero—nakakakilig naman—parang umaangat daw ako. Hindi raw niya maintindihan kung bakit kapag nakikita niya ako iba talaga nararamdaman niya. Kasi siya din, eh. First girlfriend niya rin ako. Sobrang naghintay din siya. Sana siya na ang una't huli."
