Dominique Cojuangco and fiance Michael Hearn have kept their relationship low-key for the past three years, until they announced their engagement in October last year.
In an interview with Metro.Style, the couple opened up about their relationship journey — from how they saw each other in a "new light" in 2018, to making it official, to becoming business partners, and eventually taking their relationship to the next level.
Being the unica hija of Gretchen Barretto and Tonyboy Cojuangco, one might think it would be hard to break the news of the engagement to her parents. Luckily, that wasn't the case for Dominique.
“My parents are in love with Michael and are so happy about our relationship," said Dominique. "He doesn’t just take great care of me, but of them as well. I don’t know which one of them was more elated, but they both reacted very positively towards the engagement.”
The same goes for Michael's family, with whom Dominique had the chance to spend time a couple of times already.
“Dominique fits right into the Hearn family dynamic一we are very close and enjoy spending time together. When I initially asked my parents for their blessing, there was no ‘Are you sure?,’ more so a ‘What took you so long?’ They both love Dominique,” he shared.
Talking about the day the engagement happened, Michael said he really wanted to do it somewhere that has a special meaning to them — in the place where they first met.
“It was important to propose somewhere that had meaning to us. The room was decorated with flowers and lights, but still felt familiar. It was the exact same spot where our gaze met and caused that spark that led to us starting our relationship. The second floor of Run Rabbit Run, next to the drinks cabinet," he recalled.
"Unlike that night, on this special occasion, the bottles in the drinks cabinet were replaced with framed photographs of our relationship for the last three years.”
Now, months after their engagement, Dominique could say nothing much has changed in their relationship, and they are both just pretty much excited for what's to come for them.
“Our lives are already so intertwined, that there wasn’t an immense shift after the engagement," she said. "There is a sense of feeling more connected, settled and grounded一it has definitely given us a boost in confidence. More than anything, we are both excited for what the future holds一being closer to God, building a home, having children (later on!) and nurturing them, and celebrating life with our family and friends.”
Related videos:
Read more stories here:
LOOK: Gretchen Barretto, Tonyboy Cojuangco hold Christmas dinner with Dominique, fiance
LOOK: Gretchen Barretto’s reaction to daughter Dominique’s engagement
Gretchen Barretto's unica hija Dominique is now engaged
Dominique Cojuangco graduates Magna Cum Laude!
Gretchen Barretto shares precious throwback pic with daughter Dominique on her birthday!