Team DailyPedia
“I’m not the tallest guy you want, but I’m the sweetest one!”
These were the words one man used to describe himself to his girlfriend in a sweet anniversary surprise that he planned for her.
Last February, a video of a young man surprising his girlfriend with a romantic flash mob on their first anniversary circulated on social media platforms, particularly on Facebook.
The very thoughtful guy is Mark Akiro Lee Aure and the lucky lady is Pat Dabu, both students of Far Eastern University.
The six-minute video started out showing the preparations of the props as well as the gifts for Pat. Then on the day of the surprise, lots of students participated to make the event a huge success. A few people lined up on the stage of the FEU Grandstand holding the letters that read, “Happy 1st Anniversary Baby!”
The camera then panned to the center of the stage showing two huge teddy bears and a bouquet of flowers. A large crowd was seen anticipating what will happen next. A few moments later, a young woman in school uniform walked towards the stage where she was met by Mark. The latter handed her the bouquet and then the stuffed toys.
All the kilig scenes were captured on camera and were uploaded online which instantly received 18K likes, 3,400 shares and 1K comments from netizens. It was even featured on Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSqi4mmeOYw&app=desktop
On his FB post, the third year Financial Management student thanked everyone everyone who helped. According to him there’s no ‘forever’ but when you love a person, all the impossible becomes possible.
Netizens’ reactions
Netizens were very active in giving their comments on the viral video. While most shared how it inspired them and were touched by Mark’s efforts, some blatantly said things like they will also “break up soon just like the others”, “there’s no forever”, what he did was overacting and only rich people can do that because they have the money.
Mark left a message for his bashers saying that it’s not wrong to surprise and show your loved one how much you care. He again stressed that while there’s no “forever,” if you love someone, everything becomes possible. And that’s the power of love.
We got the chance to talk with Mark and got him to answer a few questions:
The Dailypedia: How long did you prepare for the surprise event?
Mark: “Almost 5 months ko prenepare yung surprise, inisip ko din kagad yung magagastos. Lahat po plano before pa nung date nung surprise. Hindi naman po kami mayaman. Sariling sikap, ipon ko po at pera ko pa nung nag-work as freelance model. Kaya kahit mag-kano wala akong hiningi sa mga magulang ko. 5 buwan ako nag-tiis sa hirap para lang mapasaya ko siya at maiparamdam na kahit minsan siya ang prinsesa ko.”
(It took me almost five months to prepare the surprise, I also immediately thought about the expenses. Everything was planned before the date of the surprise. We are not rich. The money I used was from my own savings when I was still working as a freelance model. I didn’t ask for a single cent from my parents. I endured saving up for five months so I can make her happy and let her feel even once that she is my princess.)
The Dailypedia: Who helped you in planning and execution stage?
Mark: “Nang una sa mga friends ko na taga FEU then yung dad niya kasi is admin ng FEU saka kilala siya ng mga guard. Actually bawal talaga yun ksi PDA yun. Nasira ko yung 8 class ng PE Sa grounds dahil sa dami ng crowd. Pero dahil sa madaming natuwa pati mga prof. and admin nanuod nung surprise. Hindi ako pinatawag sa DO. Discipline Office. Sinabihan lang ako ng OIC na guard na sa susunod ko daw na gagawin yun makipag-coordinate sa Guards office kasi super daming crowd 10 guards yung nag-round sa grand stand dahil dun. Pangalawa sa pinsan ko na tinulungan ako hanggang umaga. Almost 1 week na walang tulog kakagawa lng ng mga mga banner tapos post it.”
(At first I asked help from my FEU friends then her dad who works as in admin [administration] in the school and knows the guards. It’s actually prohibited because it’s PDA [public display of affection]. I disrupted eight PE [Physical Education] classes because of the crowd. But because many were happily watching, even the professors and admin watched the event… I was not called to report at the DO. Discipline Office. The OIC [officer in charge] of the guard only told me that I should coordinate with the guards office next time I do it because they deployed 10 guards around the grand stand just to control the crowd. My cousin was the next person who helped me until morning. It took us almost a week without sleep to finish all the banners.)
The Dailypedia: How is your relationship with your girlfriend now months after the surprise video has gone viral?
Mark: “Okey naman at masaya kami, still counting. 1 year and 4 months na kami ngayon. Mas madaming temptation dahil sa dami ng naninira after nung viral video. Kung ano anong issue na kinakalat at hindi naman totoo. Suportado naman kami ng booth parents namin sa isa’t isa.”
(We are okay and happy—still counting. We are now one year and four months into our relationship. There are more temptations now because of the bashers after the viral video who are spreading issues that are not true. Both of our parents support our relationship.)
The Dailypedia: Would you do a public surprise again for your special girl?
Mark: “Yes! Actually Every 3rd-6th-9th-12th may surprise ako sa kanya. Ako yung tao kasi na mahilig mag-sulat, mag-effort. At gusto ko na kahit mahirap sa school sa dami ng paper works at exam kahit papaano mapasaya ko at maiparamdam ko yung pag-mamahal ko sa yo ng walang kapalit. At gusto ko kasi makita siyang masaya nakangiti. Ang sarap kasi sa feeling na yung taong mahal mo ay masaya sa ‘yo.“
(Yes! Actually, I surprise her every 3rd-6th-9th-12th. I am the kind of person who likes to write, to make an effort. And even though it’s tough in school because of paper work and exams, I want her to be happy and to express my love for her without expecting anything in return. And I also love it to see her smiling. It’s good to feel that the person you love is happy with you.)
This was not the first time that someone used a flash mob to spring a romantic surprise. In 2014, John Khoo prepared a sing & dance wedding proposal flash mob in Changi Airport, Singapore. There was also the “Bagito” valentine proposal which became controversial because both parties were only minors.
