Raffy and Mariz have been friends since 2001, but it was only in 2009 when he started courting her.

After a year, they officially became a couple. On January 1 this year, Raffy proposed to Mariz at a dinner party.

Mariz says she has been praying for the right man to come along.

"Para sa akin kasi, prayer is very powerful. Na parang He will answer all your wishes, your dreams. Parang without me knowing, nandiyan lang pala sa tabi ko. Katrabaho ko lang pala. 

"Parang 'binigay ni God yung answer sa prayer na yun. By the fact na maramdaman ko na siya pala yun," Mariz tells PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) in a recent interview. 

The Balitanghali news anchors first met in 2001. They became close friends, until Raffy made his move to woo Mariz.

"Based dun sa mga previous relationships niya, hindi siya yung nanliligaw. Pero sa akin, nanligaw siya," Mariz says. 

What are the traits that Mariz liked in Raffy?

"He is really kind-hearted, very intelligent, and sensible. Has a great sense of humor and a perfect gentleman. He is truly God's answer to my prayer," answers Mariz.

How did Raffy know Mariz was the woman he wanted to marry?

"I felt it when I talked to her about relationships. I knew she's the one," Raffy tells PEP through Nice Print Photography.

Mariz tells PEP that having a relationship with another person in the same field that she is in works well for her.

"Definitely. Since we understand each other's work very well."

Why a prenup shoot in Lucban, Quezon?

"Wala lang. Parang 'It's more fun in the Philippines!' lang yung peg. 

It's more fun in the Philippines! is a Department of Tourism promo slogan.

"With our relationship kasi it's always fun, full of love. At saka parang yung Pahiyas Festival yung relationship namin. Very colorful," replies Mariz. 

Raffy's proposal was a very special one. In an interview with his Balitanghali weekdays co-anchor Pia Arcanghel, Raffy related how he asked for the help of director Mac Alejandre and the Amaya cast.

"Si Mariz kasi sobrang fan ng Amaya. Para ipakita ko ang aking pagmamahal, e, kailangan ko ring karerin yung proposal," he recalls. 

In this photo, Mariz and Raffy are wearing the outfits they wore in a fashion show in a GMA-7 anniversary celebration.

But come wedding day—on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception—Mariz will be wearing a gown by Frederick Peralta, while Raffy has yet to decide on who will do his suit.

Among the confirmed principal sponsors at their wedding at the Santuario de San Jose: Imbestigador host Mike Enriquez, 24 Oras anchor Mel Tiangco, Wish Ko Lang host Vicky Morales, Saksi anchorman Arnold Clavio, boxer and Saranggani Province Representative Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and GMA-7 CEO and Chairman Atty. Felipe Gozon.