How Lian Paz and John Cabahug crossed paths and flourished in life and love
It was a sunny noon in Cebu last June when I had the pleasure of being introduced to former EB Babes member Lian Paz and her fiancé, businessman and public servant Councilor John Cabahug, over lunch. The couple exuded warmth and hospitality even from afar, making me feel like an old friend.
As we sat down to talk, I knew I was in for a delightful experience. Listening to their love story firsthand for more than an hour was not only heartwarming but also incredibly “kilig” (a Filipino term to refer to the giddy joy of romantic excitement) and inspiring.
Fated on Facebook
Lian and John’s love story began long before they even realized it. They were grade school classmates, sharing innocent childhood memories. However, life took them on separate paths until one fateful day when they reconnected through Facebook. During that time, John’s family business, a beauty brand, was in search of an endorser. John, who had been seeing the news of Lian’s controversial separation from her husband of four years, actor Paolo Contis, remembered her and the crush he had on her back in their school days.
For Lian, John was a familiar name – he was the crush of her best friend in grade school. Little did she know that John had always harbored feelings for her. This serendipitous reconnection led to an endorsement deal that blossomed into something much deeper. John, who had always admired Lian from afar, fell for her all over again.
Meeting Lian’s daughters from her previous marriage only strengthened his love for her. He saw them as angels and aspired to be a father figure to them. Over time, Lian’s daughters transitioned from calling him Tito [Uncle] to Daddy, symbolizing the profound bond that had formed within their blended family. Eventually, John and Lian had a daughter of their own, and also in their custody is John’s daughter from his previous relationship.
Partners in life and business
The couple’s partnership extends beyond their personal lives and into their professional endeavors. They ventured into the health drink market with V drink, their brand which is now available in two flavors: Tawa Tawa and Malunggay (Moringa). This health drink was initially formulated by John’s father, a chemist, upon the request of a doctor-friend. John’s father is also the mastermind behind SkinMate, the family’s successful beauty business brand.
V Drink eventually became a commercial brand because of John’s entrepreneurial mind. Finding out about the malunggay drink formulation for a private clinic, John worked on distributing it for public consumption. “We enhanced the packaging and the taste so we could market it,” John shared.
“Our target market is made up of people who want to engage in a healthy lifestyle. This [V Drink] helps in preventing health problems from surfacing in the future. Consistency is key,” Lian explained. “Just like in business, you go through struggles, but in the long run, if you keep on pushing and remain consistent, you’ll get there.”
Right now, the couple is focused on expanding its distribution and coming up with new variants. V Drink is also currently available internationally. In the Philippines, it is available in stores, pharmacies, and online platforms, including Facebook.
Lian and John’s business skills don’t stop there. John’s father, an ever-enterprising spirit, created a fairytale-themed resort and hotel in Cebu called the Enchanted Mountain. This whimsical destination, described to give Disneyland feels by those who have visited, along with another hotel venture (yet more exclusive) called Vista Azul in the northern part of Cebu City, adds to the family’s business portfolio.
Future together
Their journey is a beautiful reminder that love can find us in the most unexpected ways and that with faith and perseverance, we can overcome any obstacle. Lian and John’s story is not just a showcase of their love for each other, but also of their shared vision and commitment to building a life filled with purpose and joy.
Having aligned goals fuels their relationship. It also helps that their bond is founded on strong friendship and admiration.
“She’s my best friend. I don’t hide anything from her. I am always excited to tell her everything,” John beamed with pride.
“We’re really like that. We talk a lot. But I am more of a listener. He’s the talkative one,” Lian pointed out reality, giggling. I asked John if Lian still gives him the butterflies, and he quickly responded, “All the time.”
In the same way, Lian gushes over her partner’s sweet gestures, explaining that it is in the small and simple things he does that she finds kilig.
Of fate and faith
After sheer fate brought them together, Lian and John attribute much of their success and strength to their faith. They are active members of the Christ’s Commission Fellowship (CCF), a Christian church that plays a significant role in their lives. Their faith guides their decisions and helps them navigate the complexities of their blended family and business ventures.
Despite the prolonged and pending process of Lian’s annulment, the couple remains true to their commitment to each other and their family. They have been together for 11 years and the love and respect permeate every aspect of their lives, from their personal interactions to their business decisions.
Constantly bringing up their faith in conversations and intentionally bringing back the glory to God, Lian and John seem to prove that the couple who prays together, stays together.