The "Love of My Life" actors Carla Abellana and Tom Rodriguez shared the same affinity to the number 18 as they recalled some of the best moments about their engagement.
So, to keep things in line with their favorite number, here are 18 facts about the anticipated engagement of Tom and Carla.
Their relationship was not 'love at first sight'
Tom and Carla narrated how they've started, saying that it was "love at a second glance." They worked together back in 2013 for GMA's "My Husband's Lover" on different relationships it was a year later when they worked together again on the film "So it's You" and the TV series "My Destiny" where they started dating.
Carla Abellana prayed for some signs before saying yes to Tom
"Ako madasalin na talaga, even before naman I met Tom madasalin na ako, just like anyone else would pray for the person meant for them diba? So along the way as Tom and I get closer this is where I realized na maybe he's the one," said Carla.
This is not the proposal that Tom envisioned
Tom recalled: "Oo, siyempre kapag inisip nating proposal engrande lagi eh so ang dami 'kong mga idea na malalaki talaga na kumonsulta pa ako sa mga kaibigan ko."
Carla Abellana's mother offered Tom their home for the proposal
Continuing his sharing about his initial proposal plans, Tom said, "Buti na lang na tamper nung kausap ko na mismo si Tita; mama ni Carla and buti na lang sinabihan niya ako: 'Why not just have it here at myh house with all of us?' and I thought that's the perfect idea."
Two weeks of preparation
As Tom explained: "When I told tita, Carla's mom, of my intentions to propose, she then offered me their house and their help with it all would you believe two weeks! That's how I know it was the right moment, in those two weeks even Carla was shocked when I told her how long we prepared."
18 is a special number to both Tom and Carla
Tom believes that it was "his day" to propose, that is why from the day itself, to the size of Carla's ring stone (0.18) was inspired by the number. Tom added: "That was our anniversary when we became boyfriend and girlfriend."
Tom asked Carla twice, so Carla answered Tom with a 'yes' two times
Tom shared: "I was very nervous, hindi ko narinig yung pag yes niya, so I asked her again 'you haven't said yes yet,' tas sabi niya, 'nag-yes na ako!'" So grabe it was a very surreal moment.
Speaking of dualities, Tom is attracted to Carla's simplicity and elegance
Tom related, "knowing Carla naman, she is very someone who is simple yet elegant so that's the wo dualities that I find most attractive about her na hindi kailangan ipag-sigawan pero kita 'mo yung pagka-elegante at pagkaganda niya at ng puso niya just by seeing and knowing her."
Nothing's changed. They are both open to being partnered with different artists
Tom said, "That's our work," and Carla commented, "Ang dami pang pwede eh, there are so many celebrities na we could work with kasi mahilig kami ni Tom na mag-share ng experiences namin on how we feel towards working with other celebrities. Saka ang ganda ng experiences kasi we gain friends with them , memories with these people."
Christian Bautista, and Carla's sister Erika, helped Tom for the engagement ring
Tom shared, "Actually years ago when I wanted to propose, I spoke with Christian Bautista so I got the jeweler from him then I asked Erika, so buti na lang she was so ecstatic and excited to help me to meet the jeweler."
The ring has 6 prongs and 12 eternity stones
All with the help of Carla's sister, who pitched the idea to include 6 prongs and 12 eternity stones to symbolize Carla's birthday, June 12.
They compliment each other in more ways than one
Tom says Carla's eye for being organized and managerial approach compliments his go-with-the-low attitude, while Carla finds Tom's outgoing nature as a vital reminder for her to just be calm at times and enjoy the moment.
The wedding is scheduled in December
Although according to both Tom and Carla, it is not yet final due to the changing health and safety protocols in our country. One thing they are sure is that they will keep it private.
Carla debunked movie interpretations of a wedding proposal
As Carla said, "Sometimes kasi diba napapanood natin sa mga movies na pag ganyang may mga nagpo-propose medyo naba-blanko pa yung girl but really parang almost automatic naman yung answer to that question kasi kung tutuusin yung proposal na lang naman niya (Tom) yung hinihintay, so yes talaga."
They're fine with two future children
Tom originally wanted six, but as time goes by and as he did the math, he and Carla realize that they could settle with two children.
They promise to continue fighting for their relationship
During the interview the two of them were asked about their expectations towards each other, win which they replied with a promise to keep on fighting for their relationship while improving on oneself.
Tom will allow Carla to pursue acting after their marriage
Unlike other celebrities who stops doing project to be full-time housewife to their husband, Tom is more than willing to let Carla pursue her career as he explained, "Of course, sino ba naman ako para pigilan siya kung isa yun sa mga minahal ko sa kanya."
They choose to delay the announcement of their engagement because of the pandemic
Both Tom and Carla thinks that there are more important matters to be discussed, as well as their intent to have their privacy and savor the following days after their engagement.