“Crazy Rich Asians” was a fun romantic-comedy movie that showcased how an all-Asian cast could also dominate the Hollywood box office charts.
It’s the first modern story with an all-Asian cast and an Asian-American lead in 25 years; the last, “The Joy Luck Club”, was in 1993.
While the glitz and the glamour were entertaining to us all, it also gave a preview of how the richest in Asia’s finest city lived and behaved.
Asian Families
In “Crazy Rich Asians”, the family and friends of Nick Young (played by Henrey Golding) thought that Rachel Chui (played by Constance Wu) was unsuitable for him because she was born in a middle-class family.
It was also mentioned that Nick’s paternal grandmother did not approve of his mother Eleanor as well, causing a painful marriage and bad relationship ties.
A Crazy Rich Asians-inspired photoshoot at the Waterfront
Locale: Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino
Photos by: Mark Dales
Designer: Rei Escario
Models: Jules Ashley Go, and Reymund De Veryra Jr. of Stacys Modeling Agency
HMUA: Makeup by Arnavld
Accessories: Shandar Custom made shoes and Accessories by Mark Tenchavez
Most traditional Asian families often mingle with who their children are dating. Some factor cultural differences (like Nick and Rachel), others plan who they are going to be wed based on the social and economical status of their partner and its family.
It is typical for traditional Asian families, however with the change of time, traditional structures in relationships have evolved, and families are more accepting and open with who their children are dating; thus, fostering an even stronger relationship for the couples.
Though “Crazy Rich Asians” showed how families interfere with our relationships, at the center of it all is a timeless story on how we are all the same when it comes to love — we hope to love and be loved by the right person, whoever they may be.
This Valentine’s day, allows us to take you into the world of the “Crazy Rich Asians” by remaking famous scenes from the movie and the deep lessons you can glean from your journey towards building a strong relationship with your other half.
(If you haven’t seen the movie, this article might spoil the movie for you.)
Spending quality time
Spending quality time with your significant other creates stronger bonds as it allows both to have intimate conversations. (Locale: Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino | Photographed: Mark Dales |Designer: Rei Escario | Models: Jules Ashley Go, and Reymund De Veryra Jr. of Stacys Modeling Agency | HMUA: Makeup by Arnavld | Accessories: Shandar Custom made shoes and Accessories by Mark Tenchavez)
During the first scene of the movie, Rachel, who was an economics professor goes out on a date with Nick and invites her to go to Singapore to attend the wedding of his cousin and meet his family. At the onset of the film, Nick never really told Rachel that he was the heir of one of Singapore’s richest families.
While this did not come up during the early stages of their relationship, spending quality time with each other during their plane ride to Singapore and at the hotel allowed Rachel to know more about Nick’s family. In turn, Nick became more open about his family’s wealth and his feelings for Rachel.
For a bond to grow stronger, spending much needed quality time becomes an avenue for couples to be more open and honest with each other. It allows us to know more about ourselves as well as provide a glimpse of who we might become in this relationship.
You become a better version of yourself
When you know that your partner supports you and will always be there to lift you up, you radiate a positive aura that can be felt by the people you meet. Love is a two way course, you help one another to support and strengthen your bond . (Locale: Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino | Photographed: Mark Dales |Designer: Rei Escario | Models: Jules Ashley Go, and Reymund De Veryra Jr. of Stacys Modeling Agency | HMUA: Makeup by Arnavld | Accessories: Shandar Custom made shoes and Accessories by Mark Tenchavez)
In the movie, most of Nick’s family and friends think that Rachel was not suitable for him because not only was she born in a middle-class family, Eleanor, Nick’s mother, thought that Rachel’s western influence did not jive with their Asian traditions.
In life, people will always judge the choices you make, whether it is the career you choose, or your choice of partner. While it is good to consider the opinions of others, being with someone that understands you for who you are, and gives you the needed boost helps you become a better version of yourself.
Love is a two way course, you help one another to support and strengthen your bond. Don’t allow superficial judgment to stop you from finding yourself because you deserve all the the happiness your relationship brings.
Intimate dates
Intimacy always plays a big role in keeping the flames alive. May it be a dinner date or taking a staycation at a hotel. These cherished moments allows us to deepen their understanding of one another and the relationship. (Locale: Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino | Photographed: Mark Dales |Designer: Rei Escario | Models: Jules Ashley Go, and Reymund De Veryra Jr. of Stacys Modeling Agency | HMUA: Makeup by Arnavld | Accessories: Shandar Custom made shoes and Accessories by Mark Tenchavez)
When Rachel took on an expensive plane ride to Singapore with Nick; the two shared intimate moments as Rachel learned more about Nick’s family allowing her to understand the life he once lived before flying in to New York to start his career.
In relationships, while communication is among the basic foundations of keeping the romance alive, sometimes, it also takes a little extra step (or an expensive flight) to get the flames burning.
No matter how busy your days are, allowing yourselves to have a time-off together can help keep the intimacy going — don’t forget to come up with creative ways to spend time together.
Healthy conflicts
Just like Nick and Rachel, engaging into healthy conflicts allows us to be a better listener to our partners. In relationships, couple must understand to pick battles and always choose to listen and be each others pillars as you both ride the currents. (Locale: Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino | Photographed: Mark Dales |Designer: Rei Escario | Models: Jules Ashley Go, and Reymund De Veryra Jr. of Stacys Modeling Agency | HMUA: Makeup by Arnavld | Accessories: Shandar Custom made shoes and Accessories by Mark Tenchavez)
After Nick and Rachel attend separate wedding parties, the couple nearly got into a fight after Rachel told how the ladies from the party plunged her supposed-getaway experience into a whirlwind.
Learning from their conversation at the hotel lobby, Nick was calm and understanding about what Rachel went through and promised to make up with her.
In relationships, couple must understand to pick battles and always choose to listen and be each others pillars as you both ride the currents.
Conflicts should be handled with good listening skills or else you might misinterpret your partner and create a bigger problem. In order to make your relationship strong, you must seek a solution that is beneficial to you and your loved one.
Support each other’s goals
A healthy and strong relationship is built on a foundation that there should be no room for competition between the two of you. Your goals are your partner’s goals, and your wins are also your partner’s wins. (Locale: Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino | Photographed: Mark Dales |Designer: Rei Escario | Models: Jules Ashley Go, and Reymund De Veryra Jr. of Stacys Modeling Agency | HMUA: Makeup by Arnavld | Accessories: Shandar Custom made shoes and Accessories by Mark Tenchavez)
In the movie, Nick’s cousin Astrid found out that her husband Micheal Teo was cheating on her due to his feeling insecure about the money he makes compared to her family. Knowing that this is not the love she deserved, Astrid made the decision to leave Micheal to find her happiness and independence.
Although for most of us, leaving a life we built can always be scary, it’s even scarier to stay in a life that does not make us happy. That is also true in love.
Being together with someone who has bigger achievements and dreams should inspire us, instead of trying to compete with one another. Your partner’s wins are your wins, your wins are your partner’s wins as well.
A healthy and strong relationship is built on a foundation that there should be no room for competition between the two of you.
You make sacrifices
All relationships require making sacrifices. What is a relationship without sacrifice? Both you and your significant other should be willing to make sacrifices — it’s all part of the package and be able to compromise in order to mature and nurture your love. (Locale: Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino | Photographed: Mark Dales | Designer: Rei Escario | Models: Jules Ashley Go, and Reymund De Veryra Jr. of Stacys Modeling Agency | HMUA: Makeup by Arnavld | Accessories: Shandar Custom made shoes and Accessories by Mark Tenchavez)
Nick, who was always fond with the bond he has with his family, was willing to stand up to their horseplay of bullying the woman he loved– and was willing to walk away from them for good just to be with Rachel.
Nick’s actions served as a reminder that even though it can be hard, there are times when you must stand your ground against the opinions of others in order to maintain and nurture your love for your partner.
As cliche as it may sound– actions speak louder than words, and they can really show how much you love your partner, just like Nick’s first proposal to Rachel.
/dbs