Polish vlogger falls in love with Badjao girl after visiting the Philippines

A Polish vlogger has fallen in love with a Badjao woman after visiting the Philippines.

Damian previously worked in London, United Kingdom as a chef. But in 2010, he retired. That was when he began his journey to see what each country has to offer.

In the Philippines, he has visited Cebu, the Apo Island in Negros Oriental, and the Pamilacan Island in Bohol.

“I fell in love from the very beginning when I came to the Philippines. I felt like I landed on another planet,” Damian said.

He also visited Panglao Island, where he heard about a Badjao Village from his friends. He followed their suggestion to do a vlog there.

“I felt like I could connect with people in that village.”

But it’s not just the people that he would feel a connection with – one person in particular would capture his heart.

“I was vlogging. I was holding the camera and recording the surroundings and talking with people and describing the situation then she appeared.”

“When I saw her face for the first time, I just felt like I wanted to stay there and have a conversation with her. I really felt some kind of connection.”

The woman, a vegetable vendor named Aico, similarly felt that spark.

“Nabigla po din ako. Handsome po siya. Para po akong na-love at first sight [I was surprised. It’s like I fell in love at first sight],” she said.

Aico only finished Grade 10, but she could speak English well as it was her favorite subject in school. Thanks to her language skills, she was able to communicate with Damian and get to know him.

Damian looked for Aico and asked her to spend some more time with him.

The two fell deeper in love, but they had to overcome many obstacles. Aico was afraid to be judged as a gold-digger by other people, while Damian’s friends were advising him not to pursue a relationship with her.

Damian was torn, and Aico felt it.

“Parang boyfriend ko po tingin ko sa kanya. Pero umaalis po siya. Parang umiiwas,” she said. “Nasasaktan po ako pag ganun ‘yung reaction niya. Parang hindi na talaga, malabo na talaga ‘yun.”

(“I considered him as my boyfriend. But it felt like he was running away. I thought our relationship was not working anymore.”)

But in the end, Damian followed his heart and returned to her side.

“I decided that I will take a risk because I feel that it’s worth it. I don’t want to be in a situation where I would regret my decisions,” he said.

When Aico cried upon his return, he realized that she was the one for him.

The two eventually got married. In respect to the Badjao culture, Damian gave Aico’s family a dowry, which the entire village would share as part of tradition.

Damian gave Aico a scare when he arrived two hours late to their wedding, but the ceremony eventually pushed through.

“It was really magical. It was like one of the best experiences in my life,” he said.

“Mahal na mahal po, hanggang mabilang niya ‘yung mga bituin sa langit. Unexpected person tapos ang daming suporta sa ‘yo [I love him so much. I didn’t expect to find someone like him].”

Damian also shared that he plans to build a home for his wife.

“Reach for your dreams and use the power that you will have to influence your tribe and your family. And I hope we're going to do it together,” he said.

Aico, for her part, asked him to continue supporting her like he has always done.

“Thank you so much for being with me and accepting me for who I am.”

—MGP, GMA News