To this day, Aga Muhlach feels surreal about how he and Charlene Gonzalez ended up with each other.
The couple are marking their 23rd anniversary on May 28, 2024.
At his guest appearance on PEP Live on January 25, Aga's face lit up as he fondly recalled the moment he realized that Charlene is "The One."
"Hindi ko ina-advise sa lahat. It happened to us because I felt it at the right moment.
"More than me, ang sinasabi ko sa asawa ko, 'Bakit ka nag-yes sa akin?' Kasi we weren't in a relationship.
"There were a couple of days already I was showing some signs na parang I like her."
Charlene joined the cast of Oki Doki Dok from 1999-2000, which was the tailend of the long-running Kapamilya sitcom headlined by Aga.
She was not even his love interest in the show, but Aga started seeing Charlene as more than a colleague in real life.
"Then again, napakaano nito pakinggan, parang pelikula. Parang may senyales na talagang may hangin na gumanun sa yo, woosh!
"'Yan ang magiging asawa mo. Siya yun.'
"Kasi naghahanap ako ng magiging asawa ko. I was so ready to settle down.
"And then, nagkakuwentuhan kami ng isang oras. Then in the middle of that... 'Siya yung asawa mo.'"
Dumbfounded, Aga thought to himself, "Siya? Really? So, ilang araw iniisip ko. Totoo ito!"
Read: Aga and Charlene: A Fine Romance
THE PROPOSAL AND ENGAGEMENT PARTY
It was on Aga's birthday, August 12, 2000, when he proposed to Charlene to be his wife.
"Ang nakakagulat dun, nag-yes siya. Naiyak talaga ako dun," Aga related to PEP.ph.
Still relating the story on PEP Live, he said that she and Charlene threw an engagement party with their family and close friends in November 2000.
"We had a big lunch sa Vera-Perez Gardens.
"But October, we've been going to Baguio. We're setting up already for our wedding in May.
"When I proposed, it was quiet. And then it came out in the papers after one week.
"Nagulat talaga kami. Lumabas sa diyaryo, we're getting married.
"We weren't gonna keep it naman. We were gonna announce it talaga."
Known as the country's "original heartthrob," he was at the peak of his career and considered as one one of the most eligible bachelors of his time when Aga settled down at the age of 32.
Smiling, he continued, "I've said the story many times already. It was really just meant to be.
"That was one of the best decisions I ever did sa buhay ko. Di mananalo ang box-office hits, career path ko, which I'm very grateful for.
"But the best decision I ever did was marrying Charlene.
"Up to now, I wake up saying, 'Thank you, Lord, for my wife.'"
WHAT AGA SAW IN CHARLENE
Asked if being friends with Charlene was one of the factors why their whirlwind romance worked, Aga clarified, "We're not friends like we were always together.
"We're just acquaintances.
"Sa Oki Doki Doc, pumasok siya later na. We were not hanging out."
But there was something about Charlene that struck Aga.
"Si Charlene kasi, makikita mo yung bait niya, her kindness, really, that's her naturalesa.
"I'm not saying that because she's my wife.
"Even sa industry, lahat ng mga nakakakilala sa kanya can attest to this."
Underlining his love and admiration for Charlene, "Kaya ang suwerte ko rito talaga. Ako ang pinakasuwerte rito.
"Binigyan ako ng anghel ng Panginoong Diyos talaga.
"Kaya may pakpak na rin ako. Angel na rin ako talaga."
For nearly 23 years, Aga said that one of his greatest joys is waking up in the morning for his coffee time with Charlene.
Talking about what they do first thing in the morning, he elaborated, "Basta parati kami sabay tumatayo.
"Pag nauna siya gumising, she won't leave the bed until I wake up. Or kung ako nauna gumising, hahawakan ko siya to check on her.
"And then sasabihin niya, 'Are you up?' 'Yeah.' 'Okay, let's go.'
"Hanggang sa pagtulog sa gabi. 'Are you sleepy? Wag. Bakit inaantok ka na. But ako hindi pa? Antayin mo muna ako matulog.'"
Read: What Aga Muhlach told Atasha and Andres about entering show business
Even when they have their individual things to do during the course of the day, Aga told PEP.ph that one of his greatest joys is spending time with Charlene and their kids Atasha and Andres.
"Ah, it's never changed. Even now, bago ako umalis, nag-workout kami together sa bahay.
"Umalis na ako. Andres was there, Atasha nasa work na. Dito na ako [at Summit Media headquarters]. She wished me, 'Good luck! Good luck!'
"Pagkatapos nito, uwi rin ako agad."
Watch full episode of Aga Muhlach on PEP Live: