A video featuring a surprise visit of a man to his girlfriend recently went viral on TikTok.
As of this writing, the video has already garnered more than 7.5 million views. Netizens were also quick to react to the wholesome content.
“Sa ibang lovelife na lang ako kinikilig,” a netizen commented.
“When kaya? Namula siya sa kilig ihh,” another said.
According to 21-year-old Chill Herrera, she and her family went home from Qatar to attend her cousin’s wedding. She tried to convince her 22-year-old boyfriend, Andrei Anthony Sanchez, to join them in the Philippines but noted that he can’t come home due to his job.
“[Si] Shariz, girlfriend ng kuya ko, sinundo namin siya sa airport. While we were waiting, my parents were teasing me. Sabi nila, ‘Hala Chill, what if i-surprise ka dito ni Andrei?’ Si Shariz po nagvi-video na, kumaway pa po ako nung first part kasi akala ko dino-document niya lang ‘yung pag-landing niya ng Philippines,” Chill told The Philippine STAR.
That’s why she was so shocked upon seeing Andrei at the same airport.
“As in nagulat talaga ako, namula talaga ‘yung face ko. It was actually a dream of ours to go to the Philippines together. Kasi we both didn’t grow up there. It’s like a new experience for us. ‘Is this real?’ Hindi talaga ako makapaniwala. Hindi ko talaga in-expect na he would do that,” she added.
Andrei and Chill are based in Estonia while their respective families stay in Qatar, where they both studied high school.
Andrei said that his vacation was also unexpected and was only allowed to go home a few days after Chill’s flight.
“One week before mismo nung luwas [byahe] ko, ‘yung policy namin sa company biglang binigay na ‘yung 28 calendar days pwede kayong magbakasyon. Dun ako biglang napaisip,” Andrei said.
“Mahilig po kasi siyang mang-surprise so kahit ayaw kong mag-expect, Magka-call kami, New Year, minsan nagpaparamdan ‘yan. ‘Bakit feeling ko pagbaba ko sa dito sa sala namin, nandyan ka?’ Nang-aasar lang ako sa kanya na parang, ‘Siguro uuwi ka ‘no?’ He keeps on saying na, ‘Sorry, hindi talaga pwede,’ and I actually also knew na hindi talaga pwede kasi nga sa company niya,” Chill shared.
Andrei noted that it was a struggle to keep the surprise to his girlfriend. “Hirap na hirap ako kasi kumbaga, excited na excited ako.”
“Minsan nag-aacting lang ako na parang pa-easy easy lang ako. ‘Di niya lang alam, ilang oras na lang, papunta na ako sa airport,” he added.
Even Chill’s parents had no idea on his trip to the Philippines. Luckily, their genuine reaction was caught on cam.
Said Chill, “They are very happy and they knew his character na mahilig nga po siyang mang-surprise. My dad was like, ‘Ah, sabi ko na nga ba.’”
The couple first met in Qatar before going to Estonia to study and work. They were enrolled in the same Filipino school but was not that close.
“Since he went to Estonia a year first than me, we were asking him for help. Like, how was the application process and how to apply for our school here in Estonia. I guess that’s how we started to talk, online,” Chill shared.
Their relationship started in 2021 after Chill travelled to Estonia to study.
“There’s like this sense of security na ‘pag pumunta ako sa ibang country with no one na kakilala ko, there’s at least one person that I know,” Chill said.
Chill has a message to the public commenting “sana all” to their now-viral video.
“Simple, small surprises are enough. Let things flow, and I think you will find the one. And when you meet someone that you’re interested in, just truly be yourself,” she stressed.
