“A plot twist I never expected.”

This was how Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 3 grand winner Elaine Duran described her romance with her now-husband Richmond Pengson when she first opened up about their relationship last year through an Instagram post.

“2020 has been a challenging time for us but I never expected to find a silver lining behind all of these things; never did I expect that someone would come along. Mula sa pagiging fan, that admiration led us to our friendship and on my 23rd birthday we officially became a couple,” she wrote in the caption of her post promoting their YouTube channel named “Wabu TV” that was launched in May 2021.

In their first vlogs, they reminisced how their relationship started when she tweeted about searching for tickets for the popular music festival UP (University of the Philippines) Fair, which was last held in February 2020. Richmond tried his shot by asking her if she could be his date in the event via direct message, but Elaine didn’t accept it even though he told her already that he’s a fan of hers. Yet, they continued exchanging messages and she eventually followed him on social media afterwards.

However, it was not Richmond’s first attempt to meet her as he was supposed to attend the victory party of TNT Season 3 in March 2020, as well as watch the concert of American singer-songwriter Tori Kelly in April 2020 by booking the seat beside hers upon seeing her ticket that she posted online – but pandemic happened.

Their meeting finally happened in mid-2020 when he brought her brownies during her meet-up with her college friends. He offered to bring her to her next destination, but she refused as she was too shy and she already booked a ride then. They only got closer when she finally accepted his offer to pick her up from her event in Pasig City and send her home. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Richmond mustered the courage to confess his feelings to her later that year and asked if he could court her. Their courtship stage started in January 2021 when he flew to her hometown in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte to personally meet and ask the permission of her family. She finally gave him her sweet “gegege” (or sige) on her 23^rd birthday last year, and almost five months after, she said “yes” to his surprise marriage proposal, which took place while they were filming one of their vlogs.

And fast forward to 2022, Elaine surprised her followers when she shared on IG last January 4 that they’re already got married through a civil ceremony. She uploaded a few photos from their intimate wedding held on New Year’s Day and attached a lengthy caption, which seemed to be her wedding vow.

“Today, I am standing in front of you with all these beautiful people to give my word to be with you not just in your winning moments but most of all to the hardships that you'll have to go through; I'll be your shoulder to cry on, will be your "bestest" friend for a lifetime, be your forever "ka duet" sa ayaw at gusto mo hehe and will be with you in building and raising a family full of music and love.

“Richmond, I cannot promise to be the perfect person you'll have to be with but I guarantee you that the next chapter that we'll have to face will be worth it especially we are being blessed by our Almighty God with a little angel named Rich George.

“Wabu, today I leave behind one of my most cherished possession, my last name. I'm incredibly honored and proud to say that I'm your forever wabu. I marry you with no hesitation and bind my life with yours, I love you @pengsonrichmond,” she wrote.

Go through this gallery to see some of their lovely photos as a couple! Congratulations and best wishes, Elaine and Richmond!