Commitment is a strange virtue. It’s a decision to turn your back on infinite possibilities so you can dedicate yourself to only one person, one out of legions of people at any given time, some of whom, if not many, may somehow cross your path, but you make a choice—or life makes the choice for you—and that’s it, forever and ever, ‘til death do you part.

I brought up this question to my friend Jeremy Favia, a chef and social media personality, when he told me he and his long-time partner Jonnifer Santos, managing director of events management company Hw-Angs, had agreed to marry, arguing that commitment is even stronger a thousandfold for same-sex couples, especially for him and his would-be groom, whose marriage plans did not involve having children—at least at the time they said, “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

In reply, Jeremy gave me his signature naughty smile and, shrugging his shoulder, said, “because I love him.” 

His answer, both simple and profound, had since taken the couple around the world, from London to Dubai to Hong Kong to Santorini, all of seven countries in 25 days, in preparation for their dream wedding on Oct. 5, 2024 at Borgo Castelvecchi, an ancient hamlet in Chianti, at the very heart of Tuscany in Italy.

It was a beautiful ceremony, witnessed by their closest family and friends, including their best woman Vicky Serra, their best men Jr Favia and Billie Orario, their groomsmen Angelo Comsti, Leo James Conde, Odelon Simpao, and Vince Uy, their matrons of honor China Niguidula and Mylene Bunquin, and their godparents Edith Cudiamat, Ogie Diaz, Vice Ganda, and Genie Gloria.

The whole Tuscan affair was replicated a few weeks later at the Fernwood Gardens in Tagaytay, replete with videos of what happened in Chianti, of which, to me, the highlight, apart from the wedding kiss beneath a cypress tree against a multicolored display of fireworks, was the vows, which also answered the question I raised to Jeremy almost a year before they tied the knot.

“I promise to be the salt or sugar when you feel like ang tabang ng mundo sa ‘yo. Ako magbibigay ng lasa sa buhay mo (When life is flat and boring for you, I’ll be the one to give it flavor),” said Jonnifer, holding back tears. In response, voice cracking, Jeremy said, “Sei la cosa più bella che mi è capitata nella vita, you are the most beautiful thing that happened in my life.”