Donnalyn Bartolome clues in on the next level of her relationship with JM De Guzman.

Taking to Instagram on June 28, 2024, Donnalyn uploads snaps from her romantic evening with JM a year ago, where they cosplayed as Megara and Hercules respectively.

Along with the carousel of photos is a caption that captures the journey leading to this moment.

She writes, “When I met Juan Miguel on February 16, 2022 he made me pinky promise to do a fun collab with him…

“Tawang tawa ako kasi wala akong maalalang lalaki na kilala kong nakikipagPinky promise,” she recalls with amusement.

“Why did he have to make me promise? I’ll tell you next time. I delivered our Pinky Promise.. and all this happened.”

Read: JM de Guzman on courting Donnalyn Bartolome: “Pag may gusto kailangang ipaglaban.”

DONNALYN AND JM EXCHANGE RINGS

Initially, Donnalyn believed they were destined to remain friends.

She relates, “I thought we were only going to be friends. I was almost certain.. If everyone knew in detail how I felt, and everything that transpired, you’d feel the same.”

However, as time passed, the 29-year-old vlogger says that “the stars had something else written in them.”

While keeping their relationship under wraps, the two have already decided on a more serious commitment through promise rings.

“During our exclusively dating phase, we assured each other promise rings, linked to the first promise we’d made to each other—a pinky kind for when we’re finally ready to be officially in a relationship,” she reveals.

“We trusted only one person for when the time comes. Hiding from each other while we designed each rounded gold separately for both our left littlest fingers in secret.

“Why they’re designed the way they are? That’s for another time too~
@Lesperance_Diamonds was the first one to know of the day.”

Read: JM de Guzman admits he’s still struggling with anxiety, depression

Saying “yes” to JM happened through a long process of Donnalyn convincing him to “explore other hearts.”

The next part of her caption reads: “JM was unaware… it was a year and five months later from when he first tried to woo me.

“It was all after asking him to explore other hearts— to just find another heart who’s not mine, but he proved to me that he’s found the heart that made him blind to all other hearts… a blessing it was, that it belonged to me.”

After that, the couple jetted off to Japan to seek permission from Donnalyn’s parents.

“So, we flew to the land of the rising sun to ask for my parents’ acceptance… that’s why it took so long for us to share… that on June 22nd 2023…

“A Hercules costume I made him wear at a basket ball court. He had a dream one night, ‘nanaginip akong nasa basket ball court tayo tapos sobrang saya natin,’ he told me.

“I decided to make that a reality.”

To surprise him, Donnalyn organized an event where she dressed the 36-year-old actor in a Hercules costume and performed as Megara, singing her song about the ancient Greek god.

“I called out Goddesses to sway and twirl for a play, while I was Megara… What better way can you tell a theatre actor you adore him,” she expresses.

“His determination caused him to persist… until one day I just could no longer resist.

“He awakened the love I didn’t know I still had to give to someone again ever, and even though I no longer believe in forever… I believe in Now.

“Spell it backwards and that’s what he has done, the match to capture my heart, I declare out loud: Juan Miguel won”