Poblador-Magbojos nuptials: Love is sweeter, and surer, the second time around

With a love story that fittingly essays the truism that love is sweeter the second time around, Ma. Cristina Lizares Poblador and Mark Angelo Sandell Magbojos finally tied the knot and promised a lifetime together at the Queen of Peace Parish recently in Bacolod City.

The couple first met back in College at the University of St. La Salle. A mutual friend, who was the bride’s co-representative at the student government, introduced Mark (then a Business Management senior and editor-in-chief of the university’s student publication) to Tina (then a MassCom junior). They started off as friends, but after Mark asked Tina to be his date to a ball, the friendship blossomed into courtship. “The more I got to know her, the more I liked her,” shares Mark.

But that budding romance proved to be shortlived, as the young couple parted ways when Tina decided to pursue a career in Manila, where she eventually worked as account executive for The Philippine Star, before becoming Advertising Manager of The Freeman from 2004 to 2006. 

Mark, on the other hand, became a banker, before eventually deciding to help his father run the family’s appliance store business. Despite going different directions with their individual lives, Mark recalls trying to forgive and forget his past with Tina. “I was really trying to get over her. I dated, but as they say first love never dies,” he says.

And Tina made herself hard to forget as she was a constant presence, having remained very close to Mark’s late mother, Jessica, whom she would visit every time she comes home for the holidays.

It was one holiday season when a family friend, Ramon Bermeo, convinced Mark to ask Tina out again. This time, it took a lot of serious contemplation as Mark wanted the relationship to work for good and lead to ever-after. When they decided to pick up where they left off before, it was like having things finally sealed. Love was not just sweeter, but surer, the second time around!

Last year, the couple had a simple civil wedding ceremony upon the request of Mark’s mom, before she passed away after a long-drawn battle with cancer.

Over a year after (and a decade after they first met), on September 8, 2007, Mark wed Tina in Church this time, surrounded by the couple’s families and friends. Wedding sponsors include Bacolod Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia and Star Group of Publications president and CEO Miguel G. Belmonte. The couple’s 10-month-old daughter, Jessica Ysabelle (named in honor of Mark’s mom), cut an adorable picture, looking attentive and having the time of herself during the entire ceremony.

Tina was a sight to behold with her Emperor’s Nightingale and Geisha-inspired bridal gown that had an exquisite trail, featuring fantastic beadwork and skillfully hand-painted floral designs, among others. It was specially designed for Tina by her older brother Jun Poblador, an advertising guru, whose extensive works include creative direction in movies such as “Mano Po 3,” and executed by Bacolodnon favorite couturier John-John Ditching. The bride looked radiant thanks to top local hair & makeup artist Julian Garcia.

The reception took place at where it all began—St. La Salle’s Sanctuario De La Salle, with sumptuous buffet prepared by Bacolod’s finest, Tison Catering, and chocolate fountain and gourmet mini-cakes by Pamela Sy.

Wedding coordinator was Wedding Details’ tandem of Beng Villanueva and Tina Bagayo. Keeping the guests thoroughly entertained was a host of impressive Bacolodnon artists, from the all-male acapella group Kulai Pikata for classics, pop and romantic ballads, local show band Grupo Mari Teves for good beat-thumping sounds, to the 1st SM Super Showdance champions for a dancesport number of the couple’s theme “Your Love.”

The intimate affair welled up with very personal and poignant moments, including a surprise love song number from the usually reserved Mark. The groom, who used to be part of a varsity choral group, choked with emotion towards the end of the song, bringing some of the ladies in the audience to tears. In typical bubbly Tina fashion, the bride returned the surprise with a rousing surprise of her own—an upbeat Madonna song “Cherish” complete with choreography and bridesmaids-cum-back-up singers.

And there was that remarkable trivia from Tina’s mother, Sonia. Tina was a miracle baby, Mrs. Poblador revealed, because just when she thought that it was biologically impossible for her to bear one—she got pregnant. And she initially thought the baby was a boy and in fact, already prepared a name—guess what?—Mark.

That was just part of the many highlights that made guests truly feel part of the lifelong journey called marriage that the couple has embarked on. To Mark and Tina, may you be brimming with not just any ordinary love, but one that is blissful, faithful and blessed.