"Wala ka pa ring boyfriend? Kailan ka ikakasal?"
Alex Gonzaga often had to face these questions when she was still single, because she was the only single person in her family and barkada.
She would usually find herself being the third wheel when hanging out with her older sister, actress Toni Gonzaga, and her husband, director Paul Soriano.
But life took an unexpected turn when Alex met businessman and Lipa City Councilor Mikee Morada.
That's why on his 33rd birthday, April 18, 2020, the Kapamilya star took to Instagram to give her heartfelt thanks to her dearest fiancé.
Her caption read: "This was the morning after Mikee proposed to me.
"For two days, he ate breakfast alone or with Uncle because I was still asleep with my mom.
"But of course, after niya mag-propose, ako pa gumising sa kanya para manggulo sa breakfast niya.
"Happy birthday, Mikee!
"Thank you for not demanding anything from me, and yet you always give me what I want.
"Thank you for making me feel what it really is to be in a relationship!
"You will always be my first and, by God's grace, last true LOVE."
"FINALLY DUMATING DIN"
Alex is no stranger to the woes of those who are still single and searching.
Now that she has finally found her "the one" in Mikee, the 32-year-old star encourages single people to be patient and have faith.
She shared this piece of advice in an Instagram post on August 3, 2019.
She started, "Para sa lahat ito ng single at nagsasawa na mag-antay ng jowa:
"Buong 20s ko, lagi AKO LANG ang single sa family and barkada ko.
"Noong ikinasal ang ate, may mga nagtatanong, 'Ikaw, kailan ka naman ikakasal?'
"Gusto ko sagutin, 'TEKA lang naman. Wala pa nga tumagal na jowa!'"
She continued, "At sa tagal kong hinintay kung kailan matatapos ang pagiging third wheel ko dahil sawa na rin ako mainggit at sagutin ang tanong na 'Wala ka parin boyfriend?' finally dumating din!
"Swipe to see na may sumubok nang magkamali kahit paano! Hehe.
"Kaya sa lahat ng jowang-jowa na, wait lang kayo dahil dadating din talaga siya."
Alex and Mikee officially became a couple in October 2016.
Fast forward to December 27, 2019, the councilor asked for Alex's hand in marriage while they were on a vacation in Hong Kong.
It was on January 16, 2020—her 32nd birthday—that Alex announced on her Instagram account that she is finally engaged to Mikee.
She uploaded a YouTube video of his proposal the next day.
It was clear that Alex was grateful for that unforgettable moment, as she was seen saying, "Pumunta ako ditong single, ngayon uuwi ako ng Pilipinas nang betrothed and may fiancé."