Take a walk with us through the intimate love story of Harner Cheung and Shermaine Gamboa, a story that found its start 24 years ago. Their tale is a unique blend of youthful memories, unexpected reunions, and a destiny neither of them could have ever foreseen. 
Our tale’s opening scene unfolds at Hope Christian High School. Harner and Shermaine, two young students, found themselves sharing not just the same classroom but also a deep connection. As they navigated through their teenage years, little did they know that their close seating arrangement would prove to be a metaphor for their entwined future.
As the curtain fell on their high school journey, they embarked on their individual paths. For years, their lives progressed, marked by a shared past but an absence of any shared present. However, destiny, as it often does, had a grand plan tucked up its sleeve.
In 2015, a chance encounter at the Megaworld Corporation brought Harner and Shermaine back into each other’s orbits. This wasn’t merely a high school reunion; it was the beginning of a love story eight years in the making. Harner, unable to resist Shermaine’s familiar charm, found an opportunity to reconnect over their long-forgotten high school yearbook, which he had never owned.
This shared past ignited flirtatious banter and deep, meaningful conversations, laying the groundwork for a beautiful courtship. What began as a rekindling of old friendship slowly morphed into a romantic relationship that withstood the test of time. For eight solid years, their bond blossomed, as Harner and Shermaine became constants in each other’s ever-changing lives.
Fast forward to August 27, 2022, a date etched in their hearts forever. At the idyllic Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort in Batangas, Harner took their love story to the next chapter. Months of meticulous planning culminated in a moment so profound it could take your breath away.
This was no ordinary proposal. Every detail, from the location to the timing, was intricately planned to create a dream-like experience. Harner’s respect for tradition led him to seek Shermaine’s parents’ blessing at the classy 1919 Grand Cafe, honoring their daughter’s journey into a new life. He planned a surprise relaxing vacation for Shermaine, intertwining his proposal with an unexpected retreat, painting a memory they would treasure forever.
The pièce de résistance was Harner’s masterfully constructed alibi. He enlisted the help of the resort and a professional photography crew under the guise of a promotional photoshoot. This clever ruse allowed him to surprise Shermaine while also capturing every precious moment of their life-changing event.
The motivation behind Harner’s grand gesture was a heartfelt blend of love, commitment, and an understanding of life’s fleeting nature. Their eight-year relationship had laid a strong foundation, bolstering Harner’s resolve to transform Shermaine from his girlfriend to his fiancee.
Shermaine, too, played a crucial role in this pivotal chapter. Although she anticipated a proposal, she was taken aback by its timing and intimate nature. Despite fantasizing about a public proposal, Shermaine confessed that Harner’s private and personal proposal was far more touching and significant than she could have ever imagined.
Their shared journey serves as an inspirational story for couples everywhere. Harner and Shermaine’s story demonstrates that love, when true and deep, can unexpectedly rekindle, changing lives forever. Their bond is a gentle reminder to all couples that when the time is right, everything falls into place in the most beautiful and perfect manner– just as it did for Harner and Shermaine.
Photographer: Chris Camania
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