It is not very often that we hear stories of political couples and still be fascinated by the minute details of how their love blossomed from the beginning until ever after. Some say politics and matters of the heart do not mix well. But for one couple, Martin and Yedda Romualdez, a love built-on-loving-others make their love story worth telling.
Ferdinand Martin Gomez Romualdez, incumbent Representative of the first District of Leyte, is by all means a made man. He comes from a known political family in Leyte, and yet his claim to success rests on his own laurels.
For his undergraduate studies, he went to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York and finished with a degree in Arts Government, and consequently earned his Certificate of Special Studies in Administration and Management from Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts. He then proceeded to study law at the University of the Philippines where he earned his LLB degree.
So, on that fateful day in 1995, an already accomplished Martin was in Cebu City on business when he first saw a photo of the then Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt, a fashion model at the time, in one of the city’s malls. Already, Martin grew a fondness for his future wife even without even laying his eyes on her personally. It was indeed love at first sight.
This early attraction led to curiosity, which then led to queries on the beautiful person behind the image. Bedazzled by the girl in the photo, he was relentless as any man can be.
He pursued this newfound interest until one day, he showed up at the residence of Yedda’s grandfather, Democrito Mendoza, a labor leader and lawyer who recently passed away. Martin recalls this visit up to this day as he was chased by the family dog, something he says an unforgettable experience for him.
And so, the budding romance began and Martin continued to be an avid suitor to Yedda until she competed and won the 1996 title of Bb. Pilipinas International. After that, they became a couple and was married a few years later. They are blessed with four lovely children: Andrew, Marty, Minxie and Maddey.
Today, Martin is attempting to win over voters for a Senate seat while Yedda is running for a spot in the House of Representatives as a congresswoman. Now, their love for each other is nurtured and strengthened by a common heart for the people.
“Ang tunay na diwang pagmamahalan ay yung may malasakit sa kapwa. We never forget to help people when we can, especially those in my hometown who suffered a great deal during Yolanda,” Martin said.
“Kailangan nating magmalasakit sa puso at diwa. Ito ang tunay na kahuluga ng pag-ibig,” he adds.
As they combed through people at the grassroots level, Martin and Yedda found a common affection for the people who need help. It is the political platform on which they rest their respective political careers and it is also what keeps them going as a couple.
“Sa lahat ng pinupuntahan namin, ang lagi naming panawagan sa mga tao ay magkaroon ng malasakit sa isa’tisa.Tayo-tayonalang ang magtutulungan ng ating mga sarili,” Martin said.
And so the story goes for the lawyer and the beauty titlist, of how Martin and Yedda found a new calling in helping people. But let us not forget how this story started, a story of love at first sight, how one photograph, one powerful image changed the life of a young Martin and that of Yedda.
