Sometimes, the person you end up with is the one who has been by your side all along - your very best friend. This is the case for newlyweds and Kapuso reporters Mariz Umali and Raffy Tima who were friends for eight years before they became a couple.
The Kapuso reporters barkada
In 2001, Mariz started working at GMA Network where Raffy was already a reporter. Since Raffy was a TV personality, Mariz said she already knew him even before News and Public Affairs Senior Vice President Marissa Flores introduced the two to each other.
Mariz and Raffy became a part of the first pool of reporters of the GMA-7 News and Public Affairs show Reporter's Notebook, and their friendship flourished from there. They were in the same barkada as Cesar Apolinario, Sandra Aguinaldo, and some other reporters who would often go bowling together. Raffy was the "kuya" in the barkada of the Kapuso reporters, the one who guides and gives advice.
Among the barkada, it was Mariz and Raffy who eventually became best friends. Raffy knew Mariz so well that other guys would ask him to help them get to Mariz. Mariz's ex-boyfriend even asked Raffy for advice on how to get back with her, while admirers asked for tips on how to court her.
The cupid
Little did they know, it would take another Kapuso reporter to bring them together. Colleague Pia Arcangel became the couple's unknowing cupid when she once asked Raffy, "bakit hindi na lang si Mariz?" Apparently, Raffy was secretly attracted to Mariz. The day after Pia asked Raffy, he confessed his feelings to Mariz.
From 2001 to 2009, Mariz and Raffy were just good friends who supported each other in their respective relationships.
Raffy took his courtship seriously in 2010. The numerous out-of-town and out-of-the-country reportorial assignments barely gave them time to spend together, but Raffy made it a point to be with Mariz as much as he can. In fact, he really wanted to accompany Mariz during Simbang Gabi in Bicol that year.
When Raffy took Mariz on a romantic date to watch fireworks on a yacht on Manila Bay, he thought she was already going to say "yes" to becoming his girlfriend. But according to Mariz, he didn't even ask. Raffy didn't know he had to ask again.
At the Umali residence on March 28, 2010, Mariz agreed for them to become a couple.
Mariz and Raffy have yet to experience a big fight, which Mariz attributes to Raffy's maturity. When the two have time off work, they go diving, join fun runs, and watch movies. Before Mariz began her early morning news show on GMA News TV, "Kape at Balita," the couple used to watch movies almost every night to unwind.
The 'Amaya' proposal and the MarFy wedding
Knowing that his wife-to-be was a big fan of the Kapuso teleserye "Amaya," Raffy made his proposal interesting for Mariz. Raffy actually went to the set of Amaya and asked Marian Rivera and the other cast members to help him propose through a video.
During a barkada party on January 1, 2012, Raffy informed everyone, except of course Mariz, that he will propose. One of their friends, Lhar Santiago, told Mariz that he had secured an advanced copy of the ending of "Amaya," but it was actually a video that was part of the proposal. After showing the video, Raffy kneeled and proposed to the surprised Mariz On December 8, 2012, the news reporters Mariz and Raffy became the news as they exchanged vows, tied the knot, and committed to spending the rest of their lives together.
The newlywed couple is currently having a house built in front of the Umali residence, because they both value quality time and relationships with family.
On the Valentine’s Eve special of the GMA News TV program “Tonight with Arnold Clavio,” the two exchanged Valentine’s messages for the first time as husband-and-wife.
“Nandiyan ako para suportahan ka sa lahat ng iyong endeavors. Ipagluluto kita tuwing umaga. Sabi ko nga, i-so-spoil kita ... Forever,” said Raffy.
“I’ll support you rin in all your endeavors. And I’ll be faithful, siyempre... Always,” said Mariz.