5 Relationship Lessons from Jolina Magdangal and Mark Escueta

Newlyweds Mark Escueta and Jolina Magdangal-Escueta were all smiles at the cover shoot for Good Housekeeping's June 2012 issue. During the interview, the two musicians talked about their relationship before and after their wedding and how their love for each other has helped them become better both as partners and as individuals.

Learn about their touching story and be inspired to improve your own relationship with your husband by checking out GH's June 2012 issue. Want to get some quick tips? Read on for five relationship lessons you can learn from Jolina and Mark.


1. LISTEN TO EACH OTHER.

Aside from listening with your ears, Mark says their pastor told them the importance of listening with your eyes as well. "If you want to be the best husband or wife, you have to know anong kailangan ng asawa mo. And it goes both ways.”


2. BE OPEN.

Both Jolina and Mark say they're at ease with each other because they know they can tell each other anything. “Bago ko sabihin sa iba, siya ’yun gusto kong unang sabihan (Before I tell others, I want to tell him first)," Jolina shares. "Kasi wala siyang judgment. Sasabihin niya ’yung naiisip niya, pero di niya ako ida-down or magsasabi ng mapapababa ang self-esteem ko. (It's because he's not judgmental. He'll tell me what he thinks, but he doesn't make me feel down  or lower my self-esteem.)"


3. RELY ON EACH OTHER.

Jolina and Mark had to learn to be patient with each other when they were planning their wedding, which is why they believe they can conquer bigger challenges together now that they're married. "“’Yan kasi yung concept ng home," says Mark. "Di ba sinasabi nila na ‘home is where the heart is,’ kahit na ngayon, nararamdam namin na may home kami sa isa’t isa. ’Yung foundation, dapat matibay. (Don't they say that home is where the heart is? Even now, we feel that we've found home in each other. The foundation has to be strong.)”


4. FIND INSPIRATION IN YOUR PARTNER.

Both Jolina and Mark are in the music industry--Jolina is a pop singer and Mark is part of the band Rivermaya--and they use this mutual interest to fuel their desire to create new music together. Mark will be collaborating with Jolina on her upcoming album. "Siya ’yung sinabi ko na mag-produce (I told him I want him to produce my album),” Jolina says. “Ngayon lang din ako na-involve sa album ko, so ’yung gusto ko na siya din mag-intindi sa gusto kong mangyari sa album. (This is also the first time I'm getting involved in creating my album, so I want him to help me handle things as well.)”


5. COMMUNICATE AND COMMUNICATE WELL.

Jolina and Mark have taken to having longer conversations now that they're married. “Mas marami kaming napapagusapan ngayon, tapos pag may kailangan pag-usapan talaga, uupuan talaga naming dalawa at ready talaga naming pag-usapan (We talk about a lot more things now, and when we really need to discuss something, we sit down and we're just ready to talk)," says Jolina.


To read more about Jolina and Mark, grab a copy of Good Housekeeping's June 2012 issue, out on stands now! You can also subscribe to the magazine's digital edition.

Also in this issue:

• Newlywed Special
• Make Over My Wife!
• 5 Money Talks Every Family Must Have I
• Surprising Things I Learned About Married Couples
• How Marriage Made Me Money-Wise

Watch Female Network in the coming weeks for behind-the-scenes photos from the cover shoot with Jolina and Mark.

(Behind-the-scenes photo by Mike Dee)