“Get married when you are both ready.”
It sounds simple, even obvious. But for Aiju Balancio and Pau Velasco, those words became the foundation of a love that endured pressure, silence, and misunderstanding—and blossomed into something beautiful.
They met in February 2015, just after Valentine’s Day, when hearts are still tender and hopeful. Pau, a proud transwoman with a radiant spirit, met Aiju, a transman grounded in quiet strength. From the very beginning, they didn’t just fall in love—they chose each other. In a world that questioned their identities, they found clarity in one another.
Their story captured national attention when it aired in Wagas in 2018 as “Translove: The Pau Velasco & Aiju Balancio Love Story”, directed by Zig Dulay. But what audiences saw on screen was just a glimpse of a love that was deeper, quieter, and stronger than most.
“No matter how long you’ve been together, no matter how much you love the person, and despite the pressure from the people around you, do not commit to something you’re not ready to stand for,” Aiju reflected.
And so, they waited. Not because they were unsure, but because they believed in doing it right, not rushed.
March 20, 2015 — they became a couple
February 17, 2019 — they got engaged
February 4, 2024 — they were finally married
“Sa bawat hakbang ng ating relasyon, sa mga pagsubok na haharapin pa natin ng magkasama, sa mga kaligayahan mababaw man o simple lang, ako ay laging nandito lang. Ang iyong katuwang na pipiliin ka habambuhay,” Pau promised.
Their journey was not easy. As transgender individuals in a society that still struggles to understand them, Pau and Aiju have faced judgment and cruelty. But they never allowed the noise of the world to drown out the truth of their love.
At just 25 years old, they stood together—unapologetically, joyfully, and proudly. They did not marry to make a statement. They married because they were ready. Because they knew who they were. Because they loved, truly and deeply.
This Pride Month, we celebrate love in all its forms. Loud and quiet. Simple and complex. The kind that doesn’t just survive but thrives. Pau and Aiju remind us that pride is not only about identity. It is also about choosing love every single day. In the face of doubt. In the face of fear. In the face of everything.
They chose love.
They chose each other.
And their story is just beginning. ❤️
Happy Pride. 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
