A lot of viewers were surely inspired by the heartwarming love story of Filipina-American Viktoria Angela Cupay and her husband Nick William Baldo, which was featured in the Maalaala Mo Kaya episode aired last Saturday, October 1.
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Compellingly portrayed by Andrea Brillantes and Jameson Blake, the couple has become an epitome of unconditional love after Nick chose to stay by Viktoria’s side throughout her bout with lupus. We’re able to witness how he relentlessly took good care of her and became her source of strength and motivation, especially during those times when she felt like already giving up.
And during their conversation with host Charo Santos in MMK Kumustahan episode, the two, who are currently based in Chicago, Illinois, indeed further moved and made our hearts flutter.
Charo commenced the interview by asking what stirred them to share their inspiring story to Kapamilyas around the world. Viktoria conveyed, “I’ve decided to share my story sa MMK in hopes na maka-inspire kami ng mga tao. Meron kasing pagkakataon sa recovery ko na I almost gave up, and I know that a lot of people are going through a lot right now. And I’m hoping that maka-relate sila sa story ko, they will get inspired, and they will keep going sa buhay.”
Nick, on the other hand, expressed, “Well I’m just so proud of Viktoria in everything that she has overcome in her life to get where she is today. She went through so much pain and I’m just hoping that it wouldn’t be in vain, and that she can use her story to inspire others who are going through hardship. Maybe they are losing hope or in a dark place in their life. I hope she can show them that they can persevere and [move forward] from that.”
When quizzed what being a lupus warrior has taught her, Viktoria imparted that it reminded her that “tomorrow is not guaranteed”. Thus, we should make the people dear to our heart feel how much we love them while we still have time by showing and telling them, since we aren’t sure if we or they are going to be here the following day. Besides, it also taught her to be strong, to never give up easily, to never take anything in life for granted, and to remind herself that there’s always something to be thankful for every day.
Charo then allowed them to deliver their kilig and touching message for one another, starting off with Viktoria. She told him, “Thank you for being an inspiration to me and being such a happy and joyous presence. I’m so proud to have you as my partner, and I’m so happy to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Nick retorted to it by saying, “Thank you for staying, for choosing me, and showing me that I am worthy even when I was at my worst. And I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I hope and pray that we can conquer everything that will come our way.”
With regards to her advice for young adults out there who’s probably in the same plight as hers, she said that they must be open about their diagnosis and be honest with your partner from the very beginning. Her unforgettable journey made her realize that the people who truly love you will never abandon you, yet will genuinely accept you for who you really are and for everything that’s going to happen, instead.
When asked by Charo to define “love,” Nick stated that it’s a feeling which is unconditional and would make you feel incomplete without it. And he’s happy that he gets to experience it with her. For Viktoria, on the other hand, it’s someone who can accept you for who you are and can understand why you have become the person you are right now, which she’s able to find in her husband.
In the letter part of the video, it was revealed that the inspiring couple finally got married last August 19, 2022 at a church in Chicago, Illinois, three years after their viral engagement. Nick is currently under flexible working conditions in order for him to take care of his wife and support her in pursuing her college education. Meanwhile, Viktoria as been active in social media and volunteer organizations to spread awareness about her illness. Just like other couples, they dream of building their own family and of finding cure for lupus.
Get your weekly dose of inspiring stories and valuable life lessons by not missing an episode of MMK, Saturdays at 8PM on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z and iWantTFC.