It has already been a month since Kapamilya host Robi Domingo and his wife Maiqui exchanged vows through a church ceremony attended by their closest family and friends in and out of showbiz.

And just recently, TV Patrol anchor Bernadette Sembrano had the chance to catch up with the happy newlyweds, as they talked about their preparations for the big day and how life has been for them now that they’re officially “Mr. & Mrs.”. The interview was held at the farm and polo field owned by Robi’s family in Pulilan, Bulacan, where the reception of their wedding was also held.

“We’re like best friends and partners with everything in life.” This is how Maiqui regards the relationship that they share when asked by Bernadette who Robi is to her. “He’s very generous, he’s very kind and respectful, especially with his family. He loves his family so much, to the point that if you see our video, he kept crying lang. Buong wedding siya umiiyak kasi miss na miss niya ang family niya.”

She continued, “I would say partners kasi everything we’ve gone through, the good and the bad, we really lift each other up and help whatever we need to do together.”

Both of them may get busy with their respective endeavors, especially Robi who’s going to reprise his role as the host of The Voice Teens Season 3 beginning this February 17, but they make sure to still travel and take on new experiences together.

With how challenging and stressful the previous year had been for them due to wedding planning and home renovation, not to mention Maiqui getting sick, Robi stepped up and turned into a “groomzilla” as he took over with most of the preparations in order to make her dream wedding come true.

But prior to that, he confessed that there was an instance when he actually considered postponing the ceremony to a later date, to which Maiqui didn’t agree. “Parang I used it na lang as a goal to focus on when I was sick. I had a lot of faith in some way and determination na, ‘No. I’ll be okay by that time.’ That’s why I worked really hard for it with everything I can,” she stated.

While the newlyweds and everyone who attended the wedding were in joyous spirits last January 6, little they did know that a sad event also happened to Robi’s maternal side of the family – the untimely passing of his grandmother, who they fondly regard as “ina.” Thus, they have nothing but admiration for his mom for being so strong and being able to pull herself together that day despite what just happened that morning.

With everything that they’ve been going through together, Robi realizes how patient, strong, and determined woman his beloved wife is. Besides, she also imparted to him the value of living in the present.

He related, “Unti-unti, as a married couple, he’s teaching me the value of being present. Kasi ako, planner ako e. I love to plan things ahead, even ‘yong mga mangyayari next week, next month, meron na sa utak ko e. And there’s this one line na sinabi niya sa akin na, ‘It’s good to have a plan, pero you have to live in the moment. Kasi tingnan mo nga ako, hindi ko nga alam kung may next day pa.’”

Robi confessed that he actually fears the uncertainty of until when he’s going to be with Maiqui due to her health condition, but her strength and fighting spirit inspire him to also be brave. He stated, “That’s why, I think, I love saying the word, ‘game na’, kasi kapag tiningnan mo ‘yong gitna ng ‘game na’, ang makikita mong word ay ‘amen’. So, talagang ‘game na!’”

Robi also admitted having thoughts that he needed to protect Maiqui, but he realized that he really needed to trust that she could also take good care of herself and of their household at the same time.

There may be the two of them already together, yet Maiqui and Robi both agreed that it’s actually difficult. However, she firmly believes that what matters most now is that they’re together and they can achieve and do anything as long as they’re together. He seconded it by describing marriage as “mahirap siya pero masaya” because they have realized that they already have a partner in treading life.

When asked by Bernadette how the decision to finally get married came about, Robi said that he based on what his gut feel dictated to him. It was further spurred by their stint during the 2022 election campaign, wherein he fell in love with her deeper after she advised him, “‘Gamitin mo ‘yong boses mo for something more meaningful. Hindi lang siya para sa’yo, kundi gamitin mo rin para sa iba.”

Maiqui, on the other hand, shared that she actually just felt it because she’s a firm believer that when you know, you know. She expounded, “It should feel easy, it should feel right. And I felt that all throughout our relationship even if sobrang difficult dahil private person ako, showbiz person siya. Over the years, as we went through more experiences, I realized na, ‘Okay, I think, this is it.’”

She has also prepared herself not just for marriage, but for everything that she wanted to accomplish in her personal life and her career, so that she would be completely ready once he would pop the question to her.

The couple also shared the stories behind their engagement and wedding rings, with Robi revealing that it’s actually his mom who bought the engagement ring according to Maiqui’s specifications. Meanwhile, they agreed to have simple yet elegant wedding bands, with their names and wedding date engraved in them.