By Robbie Pangilinan
They are one of the most beautiful couples in Philippine politics. And while their theme song is Julia Fordham and Nina’s “Love Moves in Mysterious Ways,” their love story is no mystery at all.
What started out as a political campaign for Quezon City Third District Councilor Julian Edward Emerson Coseteng and Valenzuela City Second District Councilor Kate Abigael Galang Coseteng, ended up in marriage. It wasn’t love at first sight, not even at second or third.
The firs time they met was in 2004 in a meeting of the National Capital Region Chapter of The National Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL), an organization of city and municipal councilors, vice governors, vice mayors and provincial board members from all over the country who were 35 years old and below at the time of their election. Julian was the chapter president and was campaigning for the NMYL’s national presidency. Kate rooted for him.
Julian won the elections, and eventually, Kate’s heart. The two officially started dating a week after the elections with Julian courting Kate with flowers, letters, dates and romance. His persistence and determination clinched it.
“I made sure that I was there for her and I made every effort to be with her whenever time permitted. The courtship wasn’t easy and there were a number of challenges. However, I felt that I was doing things effortlessly. I believe that in life, if you’re really serious about someone or something, everything feels light and easy no matter how difficult it looks from another perspective. I guess I made her feel how serious I was,” Julian, the son of former Senator Nikki Coseteng, recalls.
Kate gave her yes to Julian right in the water when they both took their staff to a joint summer outing in Zambales. The other yes came amidst a romantic ambience along Roxas Boulevard. With a string quartet playing during dinner at the rooftop of the Bayview International Towers, Julian got down on one knee and slipped an engagement ring on Kate’s finger.
“Then we danced. It was nice, if I could say so myself. She was speechless for hours,” Julian shares.
“I was quiet for 6 hours,” Kate admits. After several months, Julian and Kate tied the knot at Sanctuario de San Antonio in Manila or San Agustin Church and have been married for five years already. Julian calls their marriage “a wonderful, exciting journey that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.”
Julian and Kate are both very busy persons. Kate, the majority floor leader of the city council of Valenzuela, barely has time for coffee in the morning and she usually brings the kids with her to work. But, the two make sure they spend quality time as a couple, watching movies at home after work, going out on movie-dinner dates, strolling in the mall or travelling whenever they can afford it.
As with other marriages, it is not always a bed of roses. According to Julian, they have encountered the usual, normal problems that all married couples go through – communication, finances, careers, adjustment to personalities and behavior, among other things. Kate says that they would often have arguments that they try to resolve before sleeping.
“But thankfully, we can say that we have adjusted and overcome a lot to make things work,” Julian shares.
Both Julian and Kate say that it’s not a “what” that keeps their marriage strong, but a “who.” They believe that with God in the center of their marriage, challenges are easier to overcome.
“We can’t claim to be perfect spouses in a perfect marriage. But we can claim the wisdom and the grace of a perfect God to guide us,” explains Julian.
As a wife, Kate loves cooking and taking care of her baby boys. She likes that Julian is very sensitive, loving, and patient with her. Julian’s favorite part of being a husband is “knowing that I am sharing a life and a home with someone who inspires me to do the best I can for my family.” He says he will never want to change Kate’s strong personality, because it tempers him.
Given a chance, Kate dreams of travelling around the world for one straight year without thinking of work. Julian dreams of giving that to Kate. But, right now, they are still needed here – by their family, their constituents, and their friends who are all blessed to be part of this beautiful couple’s lives. #
