Romance at new heights: This Filipino couple got engaged on a glass bridge in Vietnam
Some couples get down on one knee at a cozy restaurant, others on a beach at sunset, but this Filipino couple took their love 2,200 meters above the ground, on a glass bridge in Vietnam that made everyone watching a little dizzy with excitement.
Jules Jones had been together with his girlfriend Lindsay Bugay for five years before he finally decided to pop the question. As someone who finds joy in thrills and adventure, Jules didn't want to settle for just any ordinary proposal.
"'Gusto ko po talaga 'yung kakaiba, 'yung extreme," he said in an interview with PhilSTAR L!fe. "Noon pa po, parang pumapasok na po sa utak ko 'yung idea na mag-propose ako habang tumatalon ako sa building, 'yung bigla ako malalaglag. Hindi niya alam, pag tingin niya, may nakasulat na [sa] ilalim, 'Will you marry me?'"
After he found out that his family was planning a vacation in Vietnam, Jules saw an opportunity to propose at the Rong May Glass Bridge in Sapa, which was constructed over the Hoang Lien Son Mountain cliff at the top of O Quy Ho Pass.
The only problem was that Lindsay did not exactly share his love for thrill-seeking. In fact, she had a terrible fear of heights.
"Surprise din po 'yung pagpunta ko doon. Hindi ko po alam. Ang usapan kasi namin, bungee jumping. So, si bungee jumping, okay lang kasi isang talunan lang. Kaso, 'yung bridge na po na 'yun, talagang hindi ko alam. Sabi niya, 'Love, diyan tayo tatawid.' Parang nanghina po ako," she recounted.
But Lindsay decided to get over her fear and trust Jules.
Popping the question
@julesmarti Between Every Step and the Void, We Chose Forever #fyp #vietnam #rongmayglassbridge #proposal #tiktok @isay🦋 ♬ suara asli - Kwon Twol - ⃟
As the two reached the middle of the bridge, it was there that Jules decided to propose. But despite his thrill-seeking nature, Jules was still afraid of one thing during that moment: "Ang kinakatakot ko po talaga nun 'yung singsing, na baka nga mag-slip sa kamay ko lalo na nung kinuha ko siya sa bulsa ko tapos binuksan ko siya."
Jules shared that he got more worried when Lindsay wouldn't turn her head around when he started calling her name.
"Sabi ko, 'Mukhang hindi ako lilingunin nito ah.' Kaya medyo napalakas po talaga yung boses ko kasi tinatawag ko po siya talaga. Kasi baka mag-dirediretso siya tapos 'yung sing-sing, hawak ko na. Nakabukas na po. Any moment po, pwede talaga siya mag-slip eh," Jules said.
When Lindsay finally turned, all her fears quickly melted away when she saw her partner on his knees.
"During that moment po talaga, ang focus ko lang is makatawid. Pagkalingon ko, iyak na talaga tapos nawala 'yung takot, nawala 'yung nape-pressure ako na 'Kailangan ko diretsuhin 'yung tulay na ito.' Kumbaga, totoo 'yun eh, kapag nag-propose sa'yo yung tao, magbu-blur lahat, tapos sa kanya lang 'yung focus mo," Lindsay said.
"Umiyak lang ako ng umiyak noon, hindi na ako nakapagsabi tuloy ng 'I love you' o nakapag-yes. [Tumango tango na lang ako.] Naghalo na 'yung excitement ko, 'yung saya ko," she added.
Staying strong amid the long distance
Before being in a relationship, Jules and Lindsay were churchmates who had a simple encounter at a birthday party. It wasn't until in 2021 that they had a chance to reconnect again and went on to have dates over pizza, coffee, and even exercising.
Their courtship only lasted for a short while before they made it official, as Jules had to go back to his work in Saudi Arabia. Since then, they have been navigating the challenges of being apart while finding ways to keep their relationship strong.
According to Lindsay, their secret is having a strong faith in God and each other.
"'Yun po 'yung nagpatatag po sa relationship namin kasi we do devotions po. Nung nawala-wala po kami sa Church, kami dalawa nagde-devotion po kami, gano'n po palagi. Parang minemaintain lang din po namin 'yung communication," she said.
Jules highlighted that he and Lindsay have gone through so much during their five years together, which made him realize that she was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
"Kadalasan ngayon, lalo na 'yung mga newer generations, kapag nag-aaway, mabilis kasing magpalit lang eh. Kumbaga kami, nag-aaway kami, pero nandun 'yung pagpapatawad namin sa isa't isa," he said.
What comes next?
The pair's proposal video has since gone viral online, garnering more than 500,000 views on Jules' TikTok account. Many have showered them with congratulations and praise for the adventurous moment, which the two of them are thankful for.
"Masaya po kami na na-reach po 'yung halos buong Pilipinas na po ata. Umabot na nga rin po sa ibang bansa. Masaya po ako na nakapagpasaya rin po ako ng iba. Nakita ko po kasi 'yung mga comments sa TikTok, kinikilig din na sana sa kanila din may mangyaring ganon na proposal," Jules said.
"Though may iba po talagang mga negative comments din, pero kasama po kasi talaga 'yan dahil unang-una, hindi naman po nila kami kilala. Tapos madali po kasing magsalita kapag nanonood ka lang sa video and doon ka lang magbe-base. So okay lang naman din po 'yun sa akin na may mga negative comments," he added.
Now that they're engaged, Lindsay is hoping to tie the knot with Jules before 2026 ends so they can start a family together.
On their advice to couples who are thinking of taking the next step in their relationship, Lindsay advised, "Maging sentro niyo palagi si God sa mga desisyon. Hindi palagi dapat isa lang. Hindi pwedeng lalaki lang, hindi pwedeng babae lang. Kailangan both kayo and then you will pray for it."
Jules, meanwhile, emphasized always being patient and forgiving of each other.
"Kailangan may pag-unawa. Tsaka 'yung paulit-ulit kayong magpapatawaran, kasi walang tumatagal na relasyon kung hindi kayo magpapatawaran, hindi kayo tatagal eh," he said.
