light of love

a photoessay on
e-dating
Louise Gallardo
When we hear the phrase “e-dating” or “online dating”, we immediately
think of people who are looking for suitable partners online. We think of
online dating apps and we think of people getting their selves out in the
market to meet more people. The angle I want to pursue is about how
online or e-dating can also be applicable to couples who already met
in real life. When the pandemic happened, we all shifted to online
means – even to couples. Online dating can also be equivalent to real-
life couples who have no means to see each other yet because of
lockdowns. My boyfriend and I met when we were 17 and have been
together since then. Although we were together, most of the time we
would just hang out online. We would eat dinner together while in a
video call, we play, watch a movie, and many more. Although we
already passed the “dating” stage of the relationship, I want to show
that even couples who have been together for so long can still use the
term “e-dating.”
 We must keep in mind that dating is not only a stage in courtship it is
also a manner of spending time with each other, a manner of
maintaining the relationship. It’s hard to do that now online. Unlike
newly acquainted couples online, the romantic rush or “kilig” is still
strong and a young relationship can survive from that alone. What I
have come to realize is that, that rush does not stay and what used to
be an uncontrollable affection towards your partner became a
continuous effort to make sure that you are able to keep each other.
Simply put: the “kilig” is no longer enough to sustain a relationship after
some time. Now during the lockdown, people in long-lasting
relationships find it harder to date and maintain their relationships; as
if it wasn’t hard enough as it is before the pandemic.

"even my phone misses your call, by the way"

hanging out separately in a discord call
 A picture of my phone
with 9 notification
from him to
make sure
that I wakes up for
classes.

"what if I'm someone you won't talk about?"

 Distance makes things
blurry. You often forget the
lines in between your
relationship. Sometimes you
feel happy, sometimes you
feel sad but either way, we
all grow a little bit each time.

"we'll be alright"