A perfect match from different worlds

MANILA, Philippines - Kristen Ponce-Enrile is a smart, attractive and sophisticated lady who comes from a well-known political family in the country. Darren Hartmann, on the other hand, is a multi-faceted football personality with an immense passion for the sport. Together, these two create an impeccable romantic couple who, despite being from opposite worlds, managed to attract each other’s attention. 

Kristen, daughter of Jaka Corporation CEO Katrina Ponce-Enrile and granddaughter of Senate president Juan Ponce-Enrile, said that she wants to become a lawyer.

Being a public servant might actually be running through her blood after all, wanting to be an instrument in helping and serving the people in the future as well.

“It’s something I’ve always looked forward to doing. I always saw myself as a lawyer, if not that then I would probably want to be a dermatologist,” Kristen said.

According to her, education is one of her most prized possessions in life — thanks to her grandfather’s influence.

“Lolo (Sen. Enrile) has always told us to study as he studies and reads every day — he likes learning. He’s instilled in us that education alone is the best thing we could give ourselves,” Kristen explained.

But while Kristen remains focused on her education and goals, a dose of inspiration and support from her boyfriend Darren surely wouldn’t hurt.

Kristen also happens to be a football aficionado. She roots for team Barca and her favorite player is Messi who also plays for the squad.

“I met Darren in September 2010 in Fiamma and I wasn’t interested in him at all. He found me on Facebook and talked to me for a bit there. The next time I saw him was January 2011 and still, I wasn’t interested. Darren and I started getting close around mid-January and we remained close friends till May,” Kristen said.

“At the time Darren was courting me, I had other guys courting me, too; some of them were football players as well. (Then) I saw he was genuine about his feelings. He would come over to our house after his long hours of playing and coaching and we would watch a TV show called The Voice. I knew that’s when Darren caught my heart because I decided to stay home and watch the show with him rather than to go out and party,” she added.

Darren, who was a former player of the country’s national football team, is now an active football coach and commentator.

“Darren is very kind-hearted that most people take advantage of it,” said Kristen. “Although he grew up in England, he is very Filipino in the sense that his values and the way he grew up was similar to mine. He’s hardworking and is a very honest person.

“His passion really is football, whether watching, commentating, coaching or playing, he loves what he does,” she added.

Darren, whose mother is from Bataan, grew up in England before deciding to move to the Philippines at 19.

He played for the Philippine National Football Team, which is now called the Azkals, for four years before his family decided to move to the Philippines as well and set up their own football business in the country.

“The Football Academy in Laguna was designed and managed by me, this includes running our own building firm, obviously with my Dad’s guidance. It was our family’s dream to run a Football Academy and produce quality players for Filipino football clubs and hopefully, foreign clubs. While giving children hope, it also gives them education as a fallback,” he said.

Darren has also been active in coaching children in schools and sports clubs. He remembered coaching about 400 children at most in a week.

“It’s something I will always do. I’m very passionate about bringing children the same joy I had from playing football,” he noted.

Darren is now the voice behind Azkals games being aired on TV.

“I first did it (commentating for the Azkals) when I was injured many years ago. But it was really this year that I was asked to do it as I knew a lot about football and a lot about the Azkals as many of them were my former teammates,” he added.

But while Darren’s passion is undoubtedly strong for the game he loves, there is no denying about the feeling he has for the woman he adores — placing her second to none.

According to Darren, it has also been Kristen’s values that attracted him the most since the start.

“At first, it was her eyes that mesmerized me, then it was her beautiful inner being that stood out. She’s very down-to-earth, compassionate and everything with her comes so natural,” Darren said.

Kristen and Darren’s careers might look contrasting for some, but they sure are proving that they make a perfect match.