Here’s a love story that started in the academic lanes of Silliman University and escalated to an unforgettable proposal in a beautiful coffee shop in Busay, Cebu. Meet Ruddi Cabalida, a non-uniformed police officer at NOPPO, and Tiara Joan Ogabang, the General Manager at Promo Panda. Their story is a refreshing tale of love that developed slowly, flourished gracefully, and moved towards a commitment as steady as it was surprising.
Their connection sparked in the classroom, with Ruddi asking Tiara challenging questions that piqued her interest and opened up channels of communication. Casual meetups turned into daily rides, breakfasts, and before they knew it, they had fallen for each other.
Ruddi had been meticulously planning a surprise for Tiara’s birthday. Originally, he had planned to propose at a bustling steakhouse in Cebu, in the presence of Tiara’s family. However, he decided it would be more meaningful if the proposal was just between them. The moment needed to be intimate and precious– a memory just for the two of them to cherish.
That’s why the next day, they went for a breakfast date at a scenic coffee shop in Busay. That’s where Ruddi asked the life-changing question, and Tiara joyfully said, “Yes!”
For Ruddi, planning the proposal was a journey. His proposal plan came together like a well-written script, starting with discreetly figuring out the ring size, securing the blessing of Tiara’s mom, and wrapping it all up with a meticulously planned birthday trip.
Ruddi’s advice to fellow grooms-to-be is simple and profound: it’s all about timing. A solid relationship, vision of a future together, and a sense of perfect alignment are the ingredients for the ideal proposal.
On her part, Tiara had her hunches but was genuinely surprised by Ruddi’s proposal. When Ruddi got down on one knee, her initial panic gave way to certainty – she knew Ruddi was the one she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.
In Tiara’s words, “It wasn’t grand, and there weren’t candles leading to a huge ‘Will you marry me?’ sign. Yet, that moment was ours to keep, intimate and private, something I would prefer over and over again.”
Ruddi and Tiara’s tale is a beautiful example of an organic love that grows through friendship, understanding, and commitment. Their tale serves as an inspiration to many others, showing that love can blossom in the most unexpected places, and when it does, it’s nothing short of extraordinary.
