Eight years into their marriage, Yeng Constantino and husband Yan Asuncion continue to inspire people with how they’re able to keep their relationship lovely and strong despite all the challenges and bad things that are happening in the world.

And in recent years, they further astounded us when they revealed that they are able to establish their own vacation house, which we’re able to get a glimpse of during their interview with Karen Davila on her YouTube channel.

Their simple yet charming beach house is located in Botolan, Zambales, beneath the towering decades-old agoho or native pine trees that were planted in 1988 – the same year that Yeng was born. It measures 1,250 sq.m., and bought the property around 2017 or 2018, two years after they got married. The construction took around one year in 2019 and they were able to already utilize it in 2020 during the pandemic.

It’s not yet up for rental at present and is still exclusive for their families’ summer and holiday vacations, birthdays, and other occasions. It features multiple bedrooms that can fit 24 people, which have minimalist and cute interiors and are airconditioned. The couple proudly divulged that they didn’t hire an interior designer, so the appearance of the amenities and some of the fixtures and displays were all their brainchild and handmade by them. They took inspiration from Pinterest and bought the furniture from Zambales and Dapitan Arcade.

They’re still mulling if they would turn it into a rental bed-and-breakfast lodging as they would like to learn the ropes of this business first before offering it to the public.

The dining area is separated from the house itself and is inspired by a plant store they saw at a mall in Quezon City. It also features cabanas as outdoor dining and tambayan, as well as a newly-installed 4-feet infinity swimming pool in the backyard.

When asked how they feel every time they’re at their vacation house, Yeng expressed how proud she is that they’re able to earn and put it up hand-in-hand. She also gleefully imparted how they came up with this project.

“Bagong kasal pa lang po kami, naglilista na po ako ng things na pinapangarap ko. So, pangarap ko po na magkaroon ng up-and-down na bahay. Talagang nasa top of my list na magkaroon ng beach house kasi parang feeling ko po dati na ‘yong ginagastos ng family namin kapag rerenta kami [sa mga resort]. Pero ‘yong may sarili ka nang property, nadadala ko ‘yong family ko…tapos po kapag nagkaanak kami, hindi na namin iisipin na parang kailangan naming pumunta ng iba’t ibang lugar to experience ‘yong rest. May sarili kang bakasyunan. Kaya dream ko po talaga siya,” she said.

Yan recalled the first time they first set foot here a few years ago when it was still bare. They just pitched a tent and had camping as they envisioned what they would want to do with the empty lot. They initially planned to build a small house only, but their vision kept on changing and expanding as the construction got full swing, which resulted in how it appears now – much to their satisfaction and delight.

Self-confessed kuripots, the couple divulged that their stinginess actually helped them to save the money they got from their businesses and gigs and invest them in properties. Yeng remarked, “You have to treasure kung ano ‘yong present moment na nagbibigay o nagyi-yield ng income for you. So that in the future you will not be [worried].”

Yan revealed that Yeng’s being a visionary is one of the reasons that made him fall in love with her, which he already observed just on their first few dates. It’s also among the things that he learned and adapted from her since he disclosed that he’s the type of a “present person.” Listening to them made Karen deduce that they’re indeed a “match made in heaven” because of how they completely complement one another.

They met at a church where both of them served as volunteers for worship events – Yan as a guitarist and Yeng as a singer. He was so torpe then, to the point that he couldn’t muster to even utter a simple “hi” to her, which left an impression to Yeng that he was a snob. But things eventually changed when they got to spend time together, not to mention when Yan asked Yeng to teach him how to peel rambutan.

Since Yeng was already a big name then, Yan found it really impossible to be friends with her, more so have her as his girlfriend. But with some encouragement from one of their church pastors, along with his unwavering faith in God, Yan managed to ask her on a coffee date, wherein it all started for them.

The “Pop Rock Royalty” divulged that she already knew right on their first date that Yan was the one for her as she found herself head over heels for him in the first few hours that they were just talking. And only a few hours after they parted ways, Yeng remembered how she felt like her heart was bursting because he already missed him so much.

When asked if they think that God had a hand in choosing each of them as a life partner, both of them firmly believe that He does. Yan confessed that he actually prayed for his love life, given that he’s not getting any younger anymore and had never been in a relationship. He stated, “I believe, God gives us freedom to choose, pero, at the same time, binibigyan Niya tayo ng wisdom to choose right.”

Yeng had the same opinion as her husband, divulging that she actually used to have suitors who were a politician, a pastor, and a celebrity. However, none of them made her feel the same feelings that she had for Yan. She told Karen, “’Yong ano po talaga e, ‘yong romance ba. Kapag nakita mo ‘yong tao, nag-agree talaga ‘yong buong pagkatao mo, emotionally, mentally, spiritually. Lahat parang aligned. Nararamdaman ko sa instinct ko, sa gut feel ko o discernment na mapapabuti ako kapag ito ‘yong tao na pinili ko.”

While knowing that they are each other’s first-ever official romantic relationships is already unbelievable, what makes the couple extra admirable is how they’re able to keep their purity for marriage. They revealed that they only got intimate for the first time during their honeymoon in Singapore and Maldives.

Preserving oneself might be tough, especially for Yeng who works in the industry where anything could possibly happen, but she’s able to make it with the guidance of her parents and the good influence of her close friends in showbiz.

“Ang saya lang na parang we have this relationship na parang mag-best friend kami. [We share a lot of things with one another] physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally din po dahil inaalagaan din po namin ang mental health namin ngayon.”

The recent depression of the singer-songwriter was also brought up, which she imparted could be the effect of burnout since she had to start working at a young age and didn’t have a normal childhood. Thus, she feels like she’s a child in her relationship with Yan as she has become playful.

When asked how he took good care of her during those trying times, he confessed that he initially didn’t understand her and even misjudged her. But he noticed that her condition was getting worse and even his words of encouragement to her weren’t effective anymore. That’s when he decided to seek professional assistance, which absolutely helped him comprehend both his wife and himself, as well as the true meaning of depression. Both of them went to therapy as he discovered that he also had anxiety.

As she mentioned having to help her family with their finances, Yeng also looked back on how difficult their life was when she was still a kid. Her father worked as a librarian while her mother helped him by selling rice cakes, bananacue, and fish to make both ends meet. However, there were still instances that their incomes weren’t enough to provide at least the basic needs of her and her siblings. Thus, she started joining singing contests at the age of 9 and performing with a band in bars at 14, which allowed her to provide financial help to her family while also pursuing her studies.

“Pero when I look back po, hindi naman po ako ‘yong parang gusto ko maging traumatic lang ‘yong experience na ‘yon. I want it to be a learning experience for me para po ma-improve ‘yong buhay ko, buhay namin, even ng tatay ko ngayon na retired na. So, know the steps how to improve your life,” she said.

As people keep on badgering them about having a baby, Yan disclosed that they still do not have plans yet. They actually thought that they would be ready after two years of getting married, but they realized that they were not yet, since he still wanted Yeng to enjoy the life she used to not have.

Their conversation turned emotional when they veered into their respective life verses that they still hold on to, as well as revealed how they can to relate to them. For Yan, it is John 1:1 that read “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God”. For Yeng, it is Psalm 23:6, which reminds her, “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

The insightful and heartwarming interview capped off with the singer-songwriter letting Karen hear her upcoming new song that will be released in 2024, which serves as her surprise for her since she mentions her name in its catchy lyrics. Yeng also invited her to appear in its music video, to which Karen promised that she would do.