The love story of Richard & Maricar

The inspiring love story of Richard Poon and Maricar Reyes “traveled far” after they shot the MTV of Richard’s version of the song, You and I. The couple finally tied the knot in a solemn Christian wedding at The Bellevue Hotel in Alabang, Muntinlupa last June 9. Maricar looked resplendent in her jewel-studded gown created by topnotch fashion designer Francis Libiran who also made Richard’s black tuxedo. The couple looked splendid.

They were engaged last year but it was only announced in April of 2013 during Richard’s album launch although the balladeer was very careful about the details of their wedding.

The solemn wedding ceremony was attended by the couple’s family and friends including Nikki Gil, Billy Crawford, Nikki Valdez, Christian Bautista, Jose Mari Chan, Yeng Constantino and ABS-CBN executives Johnny Manahan, Cory Vidanes, Linggit Tan and  Charo Santos-Concio. 

I had an exclusive interview with the newlyweds in  The Buzz where they shared their beautiful love story. Richard admitted that it was a crush at first sight when he saw Maricar in Betty La Fea. “Nakita ko from afar her face and I really thought talagang type ko. Sabi ko, ‘Chinese. Gandang babae.’ Later when I came near the TV, nagta-Tagalog. Iyong manager ko noong pinili siya sa aking music video, talagang nagulat ako. Later on nalaman ko, ‘kasi crush mo kaya kinuha namin.’” Then he finally met Maricar during the video shoot. “Noong na-meet ko siya September 2009, it was not a very good time for her. To see the grace, iyong quiet grace under pressure para sa akin there’s something about this girl. She’s very sheepish, meek, tahimik, blends in with the crowd. There’s something solid sa ilalim that got me.”

What’s surprising to learn was that Richard did not get Maricar’s number during their first meeting. “Many people do not know I also have a past that I’m not proud of. Before when I liked a girl, I’ll be very fast. Kukunin ko iyong number ng girl very fast. Hindi nag-iisip, hindi nagkakalkula.” When the music video finally came out, he asked his road manager to call Maricar so he could thank her for appearing in the video. That simple phone call lasted for 45 minutes. He later asked her if they could continue their conversation with a cup of coffee. “Kinuha ko na iyong number niya. We went out for coffee. Iyon ang first date, I think.” But it took one year to follow that first date.

Then they met again and had a serious talk during the Star Magic Ball in October 2010. It was an on-off affair for the two. Maricar shared that she was confused about their situation. “July 1, 2012 was a bit confusing kasi I was already telling him na ayoko na.” Richard tried to call her several times because he wanted to talk to her. Maricar shared, “I gave in kasi sabi niya do you trust me kasi I need to talk to you. There is something I need to say.” This time, Richard told Maricar that he loved her. “This is a commitment that you deserve. I believe we have waited for so long.” A month after they got together, Richard flew to Cagayan de Oro to meet Maricar’s parents.

I asked Richard and Maricar what was the most beautiful thing about each other inside and out. Richard enthused, “She has that peaceful strength. Lagi niyang ina-affirm sa akin na ‘may point ka pero, honey, ito iyong baka hindi mo nakikita. Baka may ibang point pa’ and she holds me here (sa chest) when I’m kinda’ tense. Just at my chest right here.” Maricar is grateful for having Richard by her side. “He is the most unique gift that I’ve seen in my whole entire life. He really gets into your heart and he sees you for who you are. He helps you fix things. He takes your problem and he says, ‘Hey this is your problem, you have to fix it and this is what you have to do to fix it.’ Lagi siyang, ‘This is your problem’ but hindi na siya nag-dwe-dwell doon. He goes to the ‘positiveness’ and how to overcome it. That’s the greatest part of his gift.”

The newlyweds originally wanted to have a beach wedding but their relatives were coming from Cagayan de Oro, Taiwan and the US. “’pag dumating sila sa Manila, bibiyahe pa,” Richard explained. So they decided to get married in Bellevue Hotel instead. 

For Maricar, the highlight of their wedding was when she walked down the aisle and saw Richard shaking her father’s hand. “When I saw my mom crying, I cried as well.” Their first kiss as husband and wife stood out for Richard. “Three times umiwas siya. She was laughing, I was laughing, we were all laughing sa stage.” 

But for their loved ones who attended the wedding, their marriage vows were special testament of their undying love for each other. Richard declared, “Today, I promise to work hard to make this marriage work. I would love to invest time in you the most. You will be my cellphone’s most frequent calls and biggest accumulation of minutes and with God’s help, I’m gonna promise you although we have so many opposite of strengths, I promise we will be a great team. I love you truly from the bottom of my chinito heart.”

For her part, Maricar promised, “You are God’s unexpected answer to so many of my prayers. And my faith I know that this desire in my heart to be one with you comes from God and I thank Him for the grace. It’s only by His grace that I will be able to fulfill all these vows to you. I love you so much.”  

To Maricar and Richard, you have our love and respect!