Faith made stronger, love made deeper and hope made real
“Our Jubilee story began quietly, in the ordinary days of our life as a Filipino married couple living in Stockton-on-Tees. For two years, we built a home together—just the two of us—choosing to wait before having children, believing that when the time came, everything would fall into place.
“But when we finally opened our hearts to becoming parents, we realised that life does not always follow our plans. We thought that wanting something deeply was enough—that the moment we were ready, God would simply say “yes.” Instead, we entered a season of waiting. A season that tested our patience and stretched our faith.
“Over the past year, as we tried to conceive, our prayers grew stronger. Our faith, once quiet, became something we held onto with both hands. We learned that hope is not always easy, and blessings are not always immediate. Month after month, we waited with both longing and humility.
“Last summer, we travelled to the Vatican—seeking peace, seeking clarity, seeking God. We prayed in every chapel, every church, every quiet corner we found. And by grace, we were blessed to see the Pope, something we never expected. Only later did we realise that our visit aligned with the Jubilee year—a time of renewal, forgiveness, and new beginnings.
“I should have prayed for the world, for others, for peace and healing. Yet in that sacred place, under that sacred blessing, my heart could only whisper one prayer:
“Lord, please bless us with a child.”
“It was a selfish prayer, but it was honest. It was the deepest longing of our hearts. And in that moment, I entrusted everything to God—even the fear, even the uncertainty.
“As we look back and see that our Jubilee was not only about receiving a blessing—it was about being transformed while waiting for one. It was about faith made stronger, love made deeper, and hope made real.
“This is our Jubilee story.
A story of Renz, Angel and soon to be born, Olivia.”
