“Whatever happens in this relationship, if it works out or it doesn’t, I should come out na buo pa rin ako. Na ako pa rin si Mariel. So I shouldn’t lose myself. Kasi sometimes when we are so in love, we tend to lose ourselves, ‘di ba?”

I read those lines from our October cover story before the Robin-Mariel Ibaloi marriage issue broke out, and before her wedding to Robin in India was confirmed. Before meeting Mariel, I wondered if she really knew what she was doing—she’s 26 years old, after all, and was getting involved with a 40-year-old ladies’ man. Some of her quotes reminded me of a high school girl, but they were usually tempered by the levelheaded sense of a woman who knew what she want and was determined to get it, despite opposition from all sides.

I’m not too sure about the marriage details myself (maybe I should start hanging out with the showbiz people in the ABS-CBN office more), but I’m somehow convinced that Mariel knew what she was getting herself into, even if she appears to be naive.

I’m turning 26 in a few weeks, and while I can’t say that I’ve ever been in the same situation she’s in, I think I understand her more now.  I’ve had a lot of people tell me what they think is best for me, and while I try to listen to feedback all the time, you sometimes really have to trust yourself enough to disregard advice and go for what you feel is right.

Of course, I’ve gotten into a few sticky situations that way, but you know what, I don’t regret much at the moment. Maybe that’s how Mariel feels—being in your mid-20s can make you feel invincible and vulnerable at the same time. It’s like stepping out of a ledge and learning to fly.