This collection centers on love, inspired by how we, as parents, look up to our children when they fall in love. As a child, I once believed falling in love was forbidden, and that belief shapes this collection. From that tension comes the rose, a flower wrapped in thorns.
The rose then raises the next question: a flower wrapped in thorns. How did it become the ultimate symbol of love, passed from one person to another? Is it meant to wound as much as it delights—to make a lady cry, or to make her feel better? That contradiction has always drawn me in.
That’s also why I connect so deeply to “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus—the idea that love doesn’t always have to be given; sometimes, you learn to give it to yourself. From there, the collection turns toward caution, because not all lovers are true.
Not all lovers are true. Some come wrapped in sweet words but carry hollow intentions. They promise forever, yet disappear when things get real. They hold your hand in public but let go when you need them most.
By contrast, a true lover doesn’t just say “I love you”—they prove it in consistency, in respect, in staying when it’s inconvenient.
Real love feels safe, not confusing. It builds you, not breaks you. That is why care matters in choosing who to trust with your heart. So choose carefully: not everyone who says they love you knows how to love you.
This piece is inspired by my uncle’s serenade song, “Sing Ganda mo’y Hila Buwan,” which means “Your beauty is like the light of the moon.” It’s a Sambal song that compares a woman to the moon—a common image in old love songs and poetry.
But it made me wonder: why the moon? Is it truly the most fitting symbol of beauty, or is the Earth, in many ways, more vibrant and beautiful?
Love is often called blind—lovers can become so wrapped up in their feelings that they fail to see clearly. It’s as if they are inside a droplet, only realizing the consequences once it finally bursts. So be mindful: true love is mutual, balanced, and shared. Love is not one-sided desire or need.
Marriage is sacred, a union meant to build a family with purpose. So be cautious of relationships that lead nowhere.
May Angel Raphael guide you toward genuine, fulfilling love. Pray, and may your heart’s wishes come true in this time of faith and trust in God, the Creator.
