A father in Cebu stands up for his relationship with a single mom

Peter Paul Codilla (second from left) and his family is seen in this photo that went viral on Facebook. | contributed photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines—A young father here is making waves online for his trending Facebook post, proudly expressing his love for his girlfriend, whom he said he is marrying despite having two kids from her previous partner.

“I am marrying a single mother of two and I am proud of it,” 23-year-old Peter Paul Codilla told CDN Digital when asked about the viral post.

Codilla, a former basketball varsity player in Cebu City, said he said that he decided to compose that post to take a stand against those who oppose his relationship with longtime girlfriend Joan Bacalso and his decision to father two other children.

“Problema nana ninyo kay ug asa ko ron malipayon ko ug wala koy gi mahayan. I loved her before and I even love her more now since gihatag si Paula namo,”  part of Codilla’s post read.

(That is your problem because I am happy now and I don’t regret a single thing. I loved her before and I even love her more now ever since we had Paula.)

Paula is Peter’s daughter with Joan. Bacalso’s two children are Lord Vanness and Louvienne, whom Peter said he treats as his own.

As of Tuesday, June 16, the post has already reached 2,800 reactions with 1,600 shares.

The couple, who got engaged in January 2020, is happy together and currently focusing on their small business to provide for their family. Their not-so-normal family set-up can be viewed through Bacalso’s Youtube Channel, Joan Bacalso.

Codilla is a former bell service attendant in a hotel here and lives in Arcos Sapangdaku, Cebu City.

HOW THEY MET

The two met in 2016 when they were attending the same school in Cebu City, Codilla taking Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management and Bacalso taking up Bachelor in Science in Business Administration Major in Marketing Management.

“Right from the start I knew Joan had two kids with her ex-partner, but I shrug that off and continued to be with her. Many were making fun of my decision to be with Joan, I kept on hearing ‘buy one take two’ comments from people. Some would even make a joke of the situation and yes, at first it got into me,” said Codilla.

Codilla was under a lot of pressure from friends and family because of his relationship with Bacalso, not to mention that he was a  basketball varsity player during his college years.

At some point, the two had to break up because of the pressure their relationship was facing.

“We broke up because I was ashamed of our situation. But because of how she cares and takes care of me, I decided to win her back, and up until now we are still together,” he said.

MOVING FORWARD

After graduating last 2018, Codilla and Bacalso decided to make things work by looking for a stable job to provide for their family of four.

Soon after, the couple was blessed with a child of their own, Paula, who is turning one on Saturday, June 20, 2020.

Peter says the criticisms continue to hound the couple but he doesn’t let this get in the way.

“Daghan biya gihapon bati nga storya akong madunggan karon pero dili lang nako tagdon kay malipayon man ko kuyug si joan ug among mga anak,” he said.

(There are still a lot of bad comments about our relationship, but I just ignore them because I am happy with Joan and with our children.)

In fact, Peter said he is planning to marry Joan when they have enough funds available. /bmjo