Couple goes on dream honeymoon with ‘It’s Kota Be Love’ promo

MANILA, Philippines - A couple from Antipolo city, Don and Lourdes Balboa, finally got to go on the romantic honeymoon of their dreams after they were named the lucky winners of Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Star’s It’s Kota Be Love promo. The couple’s entry won them a dreamy getaway to beautiful Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia, besting several finalists from all over the country.

The couple got married in October 2003, five years after they started dating, but financial constraints hindered them from going away for their honeymoon. Don said he joined the promo in the hopes of surprising his wife with the romantic vacation she deserves, which she found incredibly sweet. “When he joined the contest, it felt like he was shouting to the whole world just how much he really loves me,” Lourdes said.

Don, a businessman, said he wanted nothing but the best for Lourdes, who used to work in a luxury cruise ship in the Carribean, surrounded by newlyweds and vacationing couples. He recounted that when he was younger, he was a spoiled brat who flaunted his cars and had several girlfriends, but everything changed when he met Lourdes in college. “It was love at first sight for me. She was the only girl that I really pursued, but she thought I was just being a player. She was turned off by my reputation,” he said. 

But Don’s persistence paid off and the couple has been inseparable since then. Lourdes has stayed by his side through every challenge that he had to face, even when his family went through a financial crisis and lost almost everything they had. “It was a humbling experience and she made me see that it was not the end of the world,” said Don. “Lourdes makes me laugh and keeps me inspired, focused and grounded. She really is ‘the one’ for me.”

Don and Lourdes embarked on a memorable romantic getaway, which included roundtrip tickets for two to Kota Kinabalu via Cebu Pacific and a 4-day/3-night Sabah Tourism Board Honeymoon package.

The couple stayed at the honeymoon-themed Deluxe Sea View room of the Sutera Harbour Resort. “The resort was so big and grand. We stayed there for four days and three nights, but we were still not able to explore all their hotels and amenities,” they said. “It made for the perfect getaway because they had everything — the marina, world-class gold courses, pools, train station — truly heaven on earth.” Don also commended the hotel staff’s impeccable hospitality. “They even learned to speak Filipino just to impress guests like us,” he shared. “After our candlelit dinner at the hotel’s Ferdinand Restaurant, which served really good food, they even gave us yummy chocolates in a gold-plated container as souvenir.”

Don and Lourdes also embarked on an adventure in Pulau Manukan, the second largest island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, Malaysia’s first marine national park. It boasts beautiful beaches as well as clear waters and thriving coral reefs, which are ideal for snorkeling, diving and swimming. “While exploring, we came really close to meter-long monitor lizards! We didn’t know that they roam freely there,” they said.

The couple enjoyed a foot spa at the Mandara Spa, experienced Sabah’s culture and tradition, and watched a live cultural dance performance at the Mari-Mari Cultural Village. They also went on a Kinabalu Park Tour and stopped at Pekan Nabalu, Mountain Garden, Fairy Garden, Kundasang Market and War Memorial, Poring Hot Spring and Luanti Fish Spa.

“I’m very happy we got to go on this ‘second honeymoon,’ set every day stress aside, and spend some time for just the two of us. We can definitely confirm that couples should take trips every once in a while, so that they can make new and exciting memories together. As soon as they board the plane, their adventure starts with the fun atmosphere,” said Don.

Cebu Pacific Air offers thrice weekly flights to Kota Kinabalu from Manila, for as low as P1,199. Like Don and Lourdes Balboa, you too can rekindle the passion and book that romantic second honeymoon for you and your loved one through www.cebupacificair.com. Like or follow Cebu Pacific Air’s official Facebook and Twitter pages for more details and promo updates.