IS IT REALLY possible for love to transcend the screen and develop strong relationships that rival those formed in the real world? This is only one of many questions that today’s digital natives are grappling with. 

Imagine you’re a character in an online game who is forced to take a shot without a scope to guide you. Of course, you’ll be skeptical about the potential consequences of taking an extremely deadly shot.

Some may argue that forming an online relationship is comparable to that circumstance. Given that all you see in an online game are avatars and characters. 

However, for some people, online games are much more than just a source of entertainment; they are places where friendships are formed, alliances are formed, and, in some circumstances, love grows.

Is it Possible?

Online games, originally thought to be entertaining competitive outlets, have evolved into places where people from many backgrounds may connect. However, is it really possible to fall in love while playing an online game? 

At first sight, the concept may appear unrealistic. Love, after all, has always been associated with in-person encounters, physical proximity, and shared real-world experiences, especially in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, online gaming takes place virtually, with players interacting through text, voice chat, and screen-based images. However, the topic of whether love can thrive in such a setting is not as straightforward as it may appear. 

It needs a closer look at the nature of online connections, the mechanics of digital intimacy, the ways in which technology has reshaped human connection, and how individuals might shift to a more personal approach.

Trashtalks to Late-Night Talks?

Giorjie Balandra shared with republicasia her unusual love story, including how she met her husband, Rabbin Balandra, through the online video game PUBG and how they ended up together.

“Ako ‘yung unang nag-chat sa kanya sa Messenger. Ang nangyare kasi nung time na ‘yun, nakapaglaro na pala kami before, pero hindi namin kilala ‘yung isa’t isa,” Giorjie recalled during a Zoom interview. 

Photo Courtesy: Giorjie Balandra

“Nung time na ‘yun, nung nagkalaro kami before, na-trashtalk ko pala siya. Nasabihan ko siya ng “b*b*”. Although, hindi naman siya ganun, magaling naman siya maglaro. Pero uso kasi sa gaming ang trashtalkan.” 

“So na-trashtalk ko pala siya, so nagkabiruan kami. Kaya ako ang unang nag-message sa kanya, ang sabi ko sorry kasi nga na-trashtalk ko pala siya before. Tapos ayun, doon na nagtuloy-tuloy ‘yung conversation namin,” she added.

They initially met in person at an offline PUBG event in Tomas Morato. Giorjie was drawn closer since Rabbin was not paying attention to her, whereas the other guys were. 

Allowing them to create a scenario that began with a conversation about a past trashtalking incident and evolved into a formal relationship as they grew closer through daily play.

Leveling Up

They first met in the event in December 2019 and became virtual friends. After spending the holidays digitally and apart, they’ve agreed to meet for the first time in January 2020. 

This was also when Giorjie recognized they could begin to level things up. After realizing how well their personalities complement one other, she decided to formalize their relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend in April 2020.

“So nagkita kami, first date namin, sa isang mall malapit sa condominium niya. Tapos unang beses ko palang siya makasama, nag-enjoy na talaga ako,” said Giorjie, who is a registered nurse in the Philippines and US.

“Sabi ko sa kanya, what if hindi lang hanggang dito. What if pwede pa mag-progress to girlfriend-boyfriend, ayun na ‘yung nasa isip ko nung time na ‘yon. Tapos ayun [naging kami],” she added.

Pandemic Happened

Just as things were getting serious and official between Giorjie and Rabbin, their new romance faced its first and most significant challenge: the lockdown during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“During those times, ang pinaka naaalala kong challenge is the pandemic. Bini-build palang namin ‘yung relationship namin that time, nagkikita-kita palang kami, tapos biglang nagka-pandemic,” the 24-year-old said.

Photo Courtesy: Giorjie Balandra

“Eh taga Leyte siya, so Visayas. Sobrang layo sa akin na taga Nueva Ecija, Luzon. So from nagsisimula ng magkita, bigla naman kaming naging LDR (long distance relationship).”

“Naging challenging siya kasi naging LDR, hindi kayo nagkikita, tapos bini-build palang namin ‘yung relationship namin. Ang hirap nun kasi videocall lang kami, hindi kami nagkikita [personally],” she went on to share.

Returning to the heart and soul of their love, they surmounted the hurdles posed by the pandemic through online gaming. It became a daily bond for them, despite the fact that they were apart. 

Of Course, There is Doubt

Doubts will always be there, regardless of how or where we meet someone. Giorjie’s friends were at first doubtful about their relationship’s viability and long-term potential.

“Mayroon [doubts] sa mga friends ko, pero sa family ko wala naman sila reaction. Sanay kasi silang naglalaro talaga ako, so parang expected na siguro nila na baka makakilala ako ng boyfriend sa game,” she said.

“Pero sa mga friends ko, parang hindi sila sigurado. Kasi syempre sinasabi nga nila na sa gaming mo lang ‘yan nakilala, baka hindi ‘yan pang matagalan. Baka hindi ‘yan pang seryosohan, ganun ‘yung mga reaction nila.”

“Kahit na may mga ganung negative comments, syempre, kailangan sundin mo ‘yung nararamdaman mo. So kami, continue lang kami sa nararamdaman namin sa isa’t isa,” she added.

Photo Courtesy: Giorjie Balandra

Giorjie never doubted Rabbin. Rather, it was the fears that crept into her head, particularly during the pandemic. Fears about her then-boyfriend meeting someone else in an online game.

“Sa gaming kasi, sobrang laki ng gaming community eh. May makikilala’t may makikilala ka na iba ibang tao, may makakalaro ka na ibang tao. So sometimes, may challenges sa part na ‘yon,” she admitted.

“Doon papasok ‘yung selos. Syempre kapag may iba siyang nakakalaro, ako naman nagseselos ako. Baka mamaya kasi, ma-inlove siya sa iba na gamer din, kasi kami nagkakilala kami sa gaming.” 

“Pero, okay naman. Na-handle naman namin ng maayos ‘yung mga ganun pangyayari nung pandemic,” she added.

Despite Giorjie’s initial anxieties, uncertainties, and other internal problems, she is confident that starting a relationship through an online game is something worth pursuing. 

Online Gaming is Different

We can all agree that no matter what platform or program we use to meet someone, as long as it is online, others around us are always curious as to why we ended up following them. 

For Giorjie, however, online gaming is different from any social media or online dating apps. “I think may pagkakaiba siya, kasi kapag naka-meet ka ng someone sa gaming, hindi mo naman agad masasabi na gusto mo ‘to”

“Sa gaming kasi, bago ma-build ‘yung relationship niyo, nakalaro mo na siya, nakasama mo na siya sa game, so mayroon ng bonding. Parang ‘yung connection, kumbaga, nandun na siya.”

“Hindi gaya ng kapag naka-meet ng ibang tao sa social media na parang kailangan mayroon pang questions sa isa’t isa, kikilalanin mo pa. Sa gaming kasi, malalaman mo ‘yung ugali ng isang tao, kapag nakita mo ‘yung ugali niya kapag naglalaro,” she explained.

Look at Us Now

After understanding the flashbacks of their narrative, it is remarkable to watch how this Gen Z couple handled an extremely difficult situation, which was made even more difficult by battling a pandemic away from each other. 

Looking back, Giorjie is overjoyed to realize that this relationship, which had been questioned by some and caused her a lot of anxiety along the way, had now found its conclusion: marriage. 

Photo Courtesy: Giorjie Balandra

Until this day, Giorjie is still surprised that they got married already in 2024. “Habang binabalikan ko lahat ‘yun, nakakatuwa kasi possible pala ‘yon. Pwede pala siyang mangyari.” 

“Sa iba kasi, hindi sila nagwo-work. Sabihin nating nag-meet sila through gaming, pero hindi sila nagwo-work, hindi tumatagal, kasi sa isip nila hindi ‘to seryoso.”

“Sa amin kasing dalawa, kahit sa game lang kami nag-meet, okay lang. Ang mahalaga is nakilala namin ang isa’t isa. Hanggang sa ayun, nagpakasal na kami,” Giorjie expressed her emotions.

Currently, both of them lives in Australia. Giorjie is finishing her Masters of Nursing Practice at the University of Canberra, while the 28-year-old Rabbin works in cybersecurity. 

Just Push Through

After a few years of dating, the married couple continued to explore the world of gaming together, but they also accepted the joys and challenges of making a life together in the real world. 

If Giorjie had one piece of advise for other Gen Zs facing the similar situation, it would be to just keep going. Just as they said, do it scared, and the results will be right at your door.

“Number one advice ko, ‘wag kayong matakot. Hindi porket nagkakilala kayo sa gaming or kahit saan mang online platform, okay lang na mag-push through kayo sa nararamdaman niyo,” she advised.

“Pakinggan niyo lang kung anong nararamdaman niyo. Kung talagang gusto niyo ‘yung tao na ‘yun, edi go. Hindi dapat nagma-matter ‘yung saan kayo nagkakilala, ang importante is kung paano niyo pagtibayin ‘yung relationship niyong dalawa,” she ended. 

Their love story, which began with an online game, exemplifies how virtual ties can be just as real and profound as in-person ones. Giorjie and Rabbin demonstrated that even the most unexpected starts may lead to the most beautiful outcomes. 

In the end, their story serves as a reminder that love has no bounds; when two people are prepared to take a chance on each other, anything is possible. A notion that love can bloom in the most unlikely of situations.