Written by Maxine Ivan Mhea Aratan, Khiel Hardey Lachica, & Andrei Francis Pascual
Photos by Czarina Rimando
As February fills the air with roses and romance, love stories once again take center stage – yet beyond the usual flowers and chocolates, one Valentine’s podcast special reminds the listeners that love is far bigger than romance alone.
With the theme “Strings Attached: Ties We Make and Break”, The Mediatrix Society in collaboration with the official LGBTQIA+ organization of the University of Baguio, SIBOL UB produced a Valentine’s podcast special. Through heartfelt conversations and relatable stories, shines a spotlight on three relationships that shape our lives the most: friends, family, and romantic partners. Hosted by the warm and engaging duo, Jamie Ann Lazo and Janzen Omo, the show has steadily built a following among young listeners who crave real talk about relationships and inclusivity.
In its opening episode, the hosts gently opened with a conversation about friendship alongside their first guests, Renz Basyag and Josiah Co. Through honest and personal stories, they traced how friendships change with time. Some grow deeper despite distance and life’s shifts, while others slowly slip away without bitterness. Renz underscored how friendship softens loneliness, especially during seasons of being alone, describing it as a form of love we consciously choose and nurture.
Echoing this sentiment, Josiah reflected that the true measure of friendship is not constant communication, but the quiet assurance and understanding that remain even after long stretches of silence. Through these reflections, the episode frames friendship as a chosen bond that evolves with time yet remains deeply formative in shaping one’s sense of belonging.
The conversation then turned inward, settling on the theme of family, the first set of relationships that tie the invisible strings of our lives together. Unlike friendships that we choose to have, family relationships are inherited by which shapes us on how we understand love. With a more reflective tone, the hosts acknowledged both the warmth and the complexity woven into family bonds. Joined by SIBOL UB and TMS representatives Jerrhyl Bocway and Jeliane Endencia, the discussion deepened naturally. Jerrhyl introduced the idea of trauma bonding, explaining that such emotional patterns can exist within families, not only among friends or romantic partners. She described trauma bonding as an attachment formed through the shared pain or unhealthy cycles of emotion, as it makes the individuals have a difficulty in detaching despite experiencing harm. This insight added weight to the conversation, reminding listeners that while family is often our earliest source of love, it can also be where emotional struggles take root. Jeliane complemented this perspective by sharing how family support, though imperfect, can still serve as a powerful source of strength. Together, the exchange created a safe and open space where deeply personal and heartfelt experiences could be shared with honesty and care.
A Valentine’s special wouldn’t be complete without Romance, and this podcast approaches it with refreshing honesty. The hosts open up about what relationships actually look like — the compromises, the misunderstandings, and the bravery it takes to stay emotionally open with someone. Joined by their final guests, Tyler Clavo and Keziah Dela Cruz, the hosts aimed to leave listeners with a simple yet meaningful idea of romance. They share their perspectives on romantic relationships through lenses shaped by their identities and experiences. Keziah shares her perspective as an aromantic asexual, explaining that experiencing physical attraction is rare for her and that love is expressed more through emotional connection, trust, and genuine companionship. Their reflection gently challenges the common assumption that romance must always be physical to be valid. Tyler, on the other hand, offers stories from his past relationship, pointing out the social norms and expectations he noticed while navigating dating. He speaks candidly about the pressure to follow certain relationship timelines and the unspoken rules many people feel forced to follow. His insights add another layer to the conversation, showing how romance can look different depending on personal history and social context.
The team from The Mediatrix Society and SIBOL UB worked carefully to shape an episode that would feel both intimate and meaningful. Vander B. Bañas, who spearheaded the podcast project, also shared his experience during the production. “It was fun and challenging, and during the process I learned and experienced a lot. At some point, I felt pressure to make everything perfect because of others’ expectations. But I realized that I needed to lead the team toward the goal we had while enjoying the process along the way. The best experience was when I gathered everyone before recording and we simply talked about what was on our minds. In making the podcast, I wanted them to feel that we created something we could truly be proud of.” said Mr. Bañas, still glad about the successful project. The team wanted the conversations to be emotionally rich without becoming too heavy for a Valentine’s special; every story shared in the podcast was meant to stay authentic, not performative, by allowing moments of silence, laughter, and even emotional pauses to remain in the final cut.
As the episode closes, the project reflects what can be achieved when different communities unite to create space for honest and relevant conversations. It succeeds in redefining how love is talked about during Valentine’s season. In the spirit of collaboration and inclusivity, this podcast invites everyone to celebrate connection in whatever form it genuinely exists – beautifully, authentically, and always with room for every story to be heard. Whether found in friendship, family, or romance – and regardless of gender identity or orientation – love remains a universal thread that connects individuals across identities and experiences.
By opening conversations that are often left unspoken, the podcast offers young listeners a space where their experiences and identities are seen, heard and validated.
Different identities. Different stories.
One powerful truth: love belongs to everyone.
