A no-boyfriend-since-birth filmmaker finds her happily-ever-after on Bumble.
Che Espiritu is a filmmaker known for the Cinemalaya 2018 film “Pan de salawal” which won a Special Jury Prize and gave her a Best Director award. She is also the screenplay writer of the Viva movies “Spellbound” starring Bela Padilla, and “Video City” starring Ruru Madrid and Yassi Pressman. Che is also one of today’s sought-after movie and TV cinematographers.
In 2018, the accomplished career woman who never had a boyfriend since birth decided to start formally dating. “Antanders ko na n’un,” she admitted in a Facebook post. She went on more than a few dates but did not find her match – a case of she didn’t like the one who liked her and the one she liked did not like her back.
“Buong buhay ko — simula 12 years old ako hanggang tumanda — never ako nagustuhan ng mga na-ka-crush-an ko,” sighed Che. “Feel ko na talaga n’un na hindi ako ka-in-love in love.”
Che then surrendered her love life to God. But she wrote the traits she wanted in her future husband first. Che asked God for a man who was simple, kind, cheerful, someone whom she could get along with, and was genuinely interested in her. He didn’t necessarily have to be handsome, just a guy who was “pleasant looking, maski hindi masyadong guwapo.”
As her prayer, she went and completed the nine-day Simbang Gabi for two consecutive years. She also asked for the intercession of her favorite saint, St. Anthony de Padua, Finder of Lost Things. “Baka naman kasi mahanap niya ang lost soul mate ko!” Che said in half-jest.
In 2023, after going on 30 dates — she kept count! — and beseeching the heavens, Niko Istrael, a judo athlete and a player support professional at a video game company, “SuperSwiped” Che’s Bumble profile. Without seeing Che in person yet, Niko felt an instant connection. “Feeling ko sulit siyang kausap,” he said of Che.
So amid Che’s busyness and the fact that she was eight years older, Niko pursued her.
The two finally had their first date. After their second date, Che told her father that she thought Niko could be “the one.” Not only did Niko check all the boxes on her checklist, the former collegiate athlete was tall and good-looking, and a child-at-heart like her.
In late 2023, Niko became Che’s first boyfriend. In 2024, the two were engaged, and on February 01, 2025, Che and Niko were wed at the Archbishop’s Palace in Mandaluyong.
In a Facebook post, Niko expressed his excitement in building a home with Che, and vowed to love, cherish and support her. “Mamahalin kita forever hanggang dulo at magsisikap ako para sa magiging pamilya natin,” Niko declared.
Like Che, he had also been searching for that other half who loved him in equal measure. He said, “Ang sarap sa feeling na ‘yung taong gusto mo gusto ka rin at super thankful ako na (si Che) ang binigay sa akin ni Lord.”
Che strongly believes that true love is certain for those who do not give up. “To those who are single… just sincerely pray/ask, manifest, attract positive energy, and while waiting, work on making yourself a better person. And when you are good and ready, heaven will send you the one.”
