A deeper look on Filipinas taking their plunge into interracial marriages in the Middle East.

We all know how it feels like. It leaves you breathless, makes you weak on the knees and gives you butterflies in your stomach. Just the thought of it makes you sigh, and right at that moment, you’re not sure whether to laugh or cry. It’s almost unbearable. It really is natural caffeine derived from intense emotions of perpetual rhapsody. But what does really constitute true love? Does a man really have to sweep a woman off her feet? Is compromise really the answer? Or chemistry, perhaps? Marriage can be complicated enough without the cultural differences, language barriers and conflicting beliefs. Yet three women proudly share their unlikely love story about marrying men not of our race…

WHIRLWIND ROMANCE
Aida and Hussein Safari is a picture of blissful newlyweds. A little more than a year ago, the couple met in the most unlikely place—KISH ISLAND. Anyone who says there’s no such thing as “love at first sight” better think twice after hearing their love story. Hussein, an Iranian, met Aida when she and her friend went speed boating on their last day in Kish (in which Hussein was the boat driver). At that instant, sparks flew and come that evening, she was proposed of a marriage. Yes, with a ring and beachside ambiance to boot! A puzzled Aida went back to Dubai not expecting of anything from the abrupt proposal. That was until the constant exchange of sweet text messages led to everyday phone calls and eventually to Hussein’s visit to Dubai. In a matter of months, Aida and Hussein officially tied the knot in a Muslim ceremony in Iran. As months progressed they’ve realized that they had a lot in common—far more than what they expected. Their families’ both had their different initial reactions on the “too fast too furious” union. Eventually, both sides have fallen in-love with their in-laws’ unique caring and loving nature. Aida and Hussein knew they were ready to become parents but try as they might; it hadn’t come causing them to succumb into frustration. However, as of press time, I have heard news truly worth announcing: Aida is now 6 weeks pregnant with their firstborn! Best wishes to them as they ride off across the Kish sunset!

I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU, MR. & MRS. ENTREPRENEURS
Vina (not her real name) and her husband would like to share their story but would rather keep their identity anonymous. She arrived in Dubai on a visit visa few years back. Without a regular job, Vina accepted several part time offers from doing laundry and ironing clothes to becoming a masseuse. One of which was extending laundry services to a Pakistani national. The latter immediately took notice of Vina’s charm and asked what visa she was on at that time. Vina, a widow who had no interest in getting involved with any man, eluded the query by replying that she’s on husband’s visa. Bit by bit, her cover-up was discovered as he found it odd that a husband can allow his wife to work on such a tight schedule, working day and night. She was initially offered friendship and as time passed they fell in love, and decided to become Mr. & Mrs. They thought it be best to take their relationship into yet another level—this time, as business partners. And because of Vina’s entrepreneurial skills, her one room for rent burgeoned to ten villas! Her husband entrusted her more than just his heart. He gave her all-access to his personal and financial transactions, even taking care of his children from his first family. (Vina had converted to Islam faith upon marrying making her obliged to be accustomed to their culture.) Getting married didn’t stop Vina from working as hard as she did when she first set foot in the Emirate’s soil. Soon, she became the Operations Manager of the family business. She says she has got a prized catch with her husband, but the latter is likewise lucky to have such an industrious woman by his side. In her story, it holds true that “behind every man’s success is a woman.” And a Filipina at that!

‘TIL DEATH DO US PART
Married for almost 30 years with 4 wonderful children and 1 charming granddaughter, Mohammad Rafi Mohammad and wife, Feliza, is an epitome of an ideal married couple (interracial or not). Tito Rafi (as he would like to be called) is a Pakistani engineer working in Sharjah back in 1978 when she met by accident the beautiful Tita Feliza, a vixen from Batangas. He boasts about being the John Travolta in his heyday and that made Tita Feliza a bit skeptic of his professed love for her. It was the ultimate act for Tito Rafi to follow her to the Philippines where he asked her hand from her family. They stayed there for another seven years, contributing to Tito Rafi’s fluency in Filipino language, even its various ethnic accents! Their marriage was strengthened through the years by trials such as making sacrifices for their children. As a family, they would travel from one country to the next for his work, while she remains a doting housewife and mother all-throughout their married life. When already residing in UAE, they continued paying constant visits to both their home countries. Both sides of the family having been in close ties with each of them. Tito Rafi loved the Philippines, no doubt. Although no longer living there, he deems our culture especially how much we value our parents as truly remarkable traits. All their children were enrolled in a Filipino school. The couple never seized to offer their help to Filipinos in need. They have completely immersed themselves in each other’s culture and way of life. He cooks Filipino dishes better than his wife while the latter’s expertise is Pakistani food. Tito Rafi’s final take on his marriage with Tita Feliza is simple: “I am proud to be here with her. As long as we live, we will be together.” Isn’t he such a keeper?

We now see that finding a true soul mate is not limited in the confines of our own ethnicity. More than palms sweating, heart racing and body tingling, having the gift of love widens your understanding of your own values and beliefs simply because, at any moment, you might be obliged to defy them. True, extraordinary will be an understatement to qualify their love stories. Their heritage may have been worlds apart but in each other, the found the feeling of warmth and contentment totally diminishing any sort of prejudice and suddenly, race becomes immaterial. They share their friendship, trust and respect—the universal fundamentals of an encompassing love.

*Next month’s feature will be about our kababayans whose children belong to the Class of 2008 graduates.