MANILA, Philippines - Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI) celebrates the day of hearts with one of the best-looking couples today, Mika and Chucho Martinez. With their demanding schedules, the couple was able to squeeze in an afternoon at the Makati Shangri-La, sharing their love stories and secrets to a happy and successful marriage.
Mika is the statuesque model with a face that launched a thousand campaigns. But aside from her killer body and smile, she also works nine to five in a brokerage company and manages their food business, Gourmet Pao. Chucho, on the other hand, is a financial adviser and a businessman who co-manages their food business with Mika and his sisters.
Mika and Chucho, who have been together for nine years, have been married for five and have two beautiful children: seven-year-old Noelle and four-year-old Tyler. The family enjoys spending time together, watching DVDs and taking trips to the beach every month, which is something they plan to do together on Valentine’s Day. “We might go to the beach — that’s our usual thing,” said Mika.
While they also enjoy spending time together as a couple, Mika and Chucho also give each other ample time apart. “It’s good that we give each other our own space,” Mika shared. “We have a life together, but we also have our own lives as individuals.” They each make it a point to spend time with friends. “I never stop him from doing anything, like if he wants to have a boys’ night out, that’s okay with me. He does not stop me from traveling, as I love to travel with my friends,” she added.
But not everything has been rosy. Like in any other relationship, the couple has undergone some difficult situations. “We face our challenges together,” said Chucho. They make it a point to talk about things and deal with them openly. “Whatever it is, as long as you’re talking about it, it can be resolved,” he shared. “It’s very important to have communication.”
When asked to name each other’s best trait, Mika was quick to say good things about her husband: “He’s always understanding, supportive, and he lets me decide things on my own,” while Chucho said, “I let her be. That helps her figure out things on her own.” When asked about Mika, he said, “Oh, man, a lot! I have no complaints. She respects me and for me, everything else is second. For a dad and husband, respect is very important. Whatever my position is, whatever I do, she respects me. That’s the most important thing,” he said.