A video of an Emirati groom serenading his Filipina bride on their wedding day has gone viral, touching the hearts of netizens worldwide. Shared on their joint TikTok account, Arabo & Filipina, the clip has garnered nearly 1 million views, over 2,000 comments, and more than 30,000 likes just a week after it was uploaded.
The couple, Aizel Lois Borongan and Khalid Jaber Juma Al Jaber, both 34 years old, tied the knot recently and have since been sharing glimpses of their married life on TikTok. The now-famous video shows Khalid delivering a heartfelt rendition of Lonestar’s 1999 hit song “Amazed” in front of their wedding guests.
A love story that began at McDonald’s
Aizel and Khalid’s love story began in an unlikely place — McDonald’s. Aizel recalls their first meeting as unremarkable from her perspective. “Wala po akong impression kay Arabo; he was just a normal stranger. Pero sabi niya, love at first sight daw siya,” she shared with The Global Filipino Magazine.
For Khalid, however, it was the start of something extraordinary. His determination and affection eventually won over Aizel, leading to their beautiful journey as a couple.
@arafil_emirati_pinay When your man is romantic in his own ways ❤️#Emirati #Filipina #wedding #marriage #dubai #uae🇦🇪 #singing ♬ original sound – ARABO & FILIPINA ❤️
When asked about Khalid’s emotional serenade during their wedding, Aizel shared the mix of emotions she felt. “I felt so much love, blessed, nervous, shy, and happy. I can’t really explain much,” she said, reflecting on the unforgettable moment.
Beyond the serenade, another highlight of their wedding was Khalid’s heartfelt message. “He’s not expressive verbally, but his message for me that day was so special. Arabo is more into actions, but that moment showed how much he loves me,” Aizel shared.
Navigating cultural differences
Marrying into a different culture often comes with challenges, but Aizel and Khalid have managed to bridge their differences seamlessly. Aizel shared that adjustments on her part have been minimal, thanks to Khalid’s open-mindedness. “He just requested me to wear an abaya at work and when we’re with his family. But when we’re out together, I can wear anything as long as it’s decent. I can be myself with my husband, and he supports anything that makes me happy,” she explained.
Interestingly, Khalid had already embraced Filipino culture before meeting Aizel. “He was with a Filipino community and learned to speak and understand Tagalog. With me, he’s now learning Bisaya and enjoys Bisaya food,” Aizel added.
Like any couple, Aizel and Khalid have faced challenges, particularly in sharing household responsibilities. “At first, he wasn’t used to doing chores. But I explained that as a couple, we’re a team. Now we work together, and it makes tasks lighter and faster,” Aizel revealed.
The couple is still adjusting to the overwhelming attention their viral video has brought. “We didn’t expect to go viral. We’ve received both positive and negative comments. But overall, it’s been fun and exciting, and we’re thankful for all the support,” Aizel shared.
As for their plans moving forward, the couple is focusing on building a beautiful family. “This experience made us realize we can do a lot of things together,” Aizel said with a smile.
