This married couple separated 3 times, wed each other 4 times, and now they are stronger together

A married couple separated three times into their 20-year relationship, wed each other four times, and now they are stronger together.

In Mariz Umali's report on "State Of the Nation," Valerie Conseja shared her rollercoaster love story with husband Marvin.

Valerie said they first tied the knot in a civil wedding ceremony in June 2001. She said she was only 19 years old back then while her husband was 22.

When her father-in-law went back home to the Philippines, the couple had another wedding ceremony in church in July the same year.

Valerie said since they were young when they first tied the knot, they would always fight.

"Ako iniisip ko, 'Ganap na ina na ako ikaw nag-babarkada ka pa rin. 'Yung mga ganon ganon ba 'yung mga simpleng away na parang lagi ka naghahanap ka ng fault," she said.

("I was thinking, 'I am a full-fledged mother and you are still hanging out with your buddies.' Those kind of things, the simple fights where you are always looking for faults.")

She said they did not talk or see each other for a year.

"As in patigasan kami. Ang sabi niya, 'Kapag sinabi mo kasi naniniwala ako. Kapag sinabi mo ayaw mo na, iniisip ko ayaw mo na talaga,'" Valerie said.

("We were both stubborn. He said, 'When you say something, I believe it. When you say you're done with me, I really think you are done.'")

Despite having misunderstandings, they ended up back into each other's arms.

"Nakakatulong din 'yung pag nag-aaway kayo, hindi kayo nagkikita ng matagal so mararamdaman mo talaga 'yung absence," she said.

("It helps when you fight and you don't see each other for a while, so you really feel the absence.")

"Sabi niya sa 'kin, 'Nagawa ko na lahat ng gusto kong gawin pero kumbaga sa puzzle parang kulang ng isang piraso. Ikaw na lang 'yung kulang sa puzzle sa buhay ko,'" she added.

("He told me, 'I've done everything I wanted to do, but like a puzzle, there's one missing piece. You're the missing piece in my life.'")

After the challenges they went through, the couple married each other once again on their 10th anniversary in 2011.

On their 15th wedding anniversary, the couple renewed their vows. Valerie surprised her partner with a wedding in a basketball court which at first Marvin thought was their son's basketball match.

It has now been six years since their fourth wedding and Valerie said they are stronger, wiser, and fiercer at loving each other.

"Confident ako na kahit matagal kami di magkita, babalik kami sa isa't isa," she said.

("I'm confident that even if we don't see for each other for a long time, we will always return to each other.")

—Jannielyn Bigtas/MGP, GMA News