(From left) Robi Domingo and Maiqui Pineda during a trip to London. Image: Instagram / @iamrobidomingo
Amid the challenge of an autoimmune disease, Maiqui Pineda, Robi Domingo’s fiancée, showed that their love remains strong, as they celebrated their fifth year as a couple.
In an Instagram post on Sunday, Aug. 6, Pineda uploaded a video of the pair playing — or at least, trying to play — a clapping game, with d4vd’s “Here with Me” as the clip’s background music.
The lyrics of the song — “As long as I’m with you, I’ve got a smile on my face. Save your tears, it’ll be okay. All I know is you’re here with me.” — captured Pineda’s message for her longtime boyfriend.
In her post’s caption, she wrote, “As long as I’m with you [house emoji],” most likely telling the Kapamilya TV host how she feels at home in and safe with Domingo’s presence. “Happy five years [stars emoji],” she added.
Prior to their fifth anniversary, Pineda informed the public, through a blog post, that she had been diagnosed last July 14 with dermatomyositis, “a rare autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness, inflammation, and a skin rash.”
Her autoimmune condition also has “Anti-MDA5 antibodies,” which, she explained, puts her at a high risk of developing “Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), which causes scarring in the lungs.”
In the same blog post, Pineda expressed optimism that she will eventually conquer this “temporary” health challenge, and also thanked several people including her family, friends, and Domingo.
She also thanked the former MYX VJ for being “my rock and strength all throughout even when I know how hard and tiring it must be at times.”
Following his girlfriend’s revelation, Domingo, in an Instagram post spoke about his emotional contract signing with the Kapamilya network, and shared how he “couldn’t stop thinking about my [fiancée] and her condition while signing this contract.”
The “Pinoy Big Brother” alum was also asked about his emotional state during the contract signing event, and expressed how he has began to realize what is important in his life, which he said is “to be there” especially for someone “in need.”
“And parang ngayon ko nakukuha na, ano ba ‘yung mga bagay na importante (And it’s like it’s now that I understand, what are the things that are important). At ‘yung importante ay (And what’s important is) to be there, especially when times — [when someone is] in need,” an emotional Domingo said, alluding most likely to his non-showbiz partner.
“So I’m just filled with emotions, siguro (I guess), because I’m so happy na patuloy na nagtitiwala ‘yung ABS-CBN (that ABS-CBN continues to trust in me), and…I hope to share this happiness with my fiancée too,” added the Kapamilya star, who believes “it’s high time… to bring back the ‘golden age’ of game shows” that test and reward individuals’ knowledge.
Domingo, who revealed that they have already “booked” their honeymoon, admitted to Boy Abunda in 2018 that he’s dating someone and is “super happy.” The “Cinco” actor proposed to Pineda during a trip to Japan last year. EDV