News reporters MJ Marfori of TV 5 and Oscar Oida of GMA-7 exchanged “I do’s” during a simple wedding ceremony dubbed “The Merger” at the San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila last Saturday.
Principal sponsors of the wedding were TV 5 Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, president and chief executive officer Emmanuel C. Lorenzana and News 5 head Luchi Cruz-Valdes and GMA Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon.
Other sponsors were GMA 7 news broadcasters Mike Enriquez, Mel Tiangco, Vicky Morales, Jessica Soho, Arnold Clavio, Howie Severino, Lhar Santiago, Michelle Seva and Grace dela Peña-Reyes, according to Interaksyon, online news portal of TV 5.
Also joining as principal sponsors were Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Mayor Alfred Romualdez of Tacloban City and wife Tacloban Councilor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez, former Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino, former TV 5 chief content entertainment officer Wilma V. Galvante, Charisse Ann Tinio of Nice Print Photography, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, Lolit Solis, Tomas Meere Castillo, Dr. Rey Farne and HerminiaMarfori-Farne.
Secondary sponsors included actor Derek Ramsay, GMA anchor PiaArcangelHalili, GMA’s JiggyManicad and Rhea Santos.
The reception was held at the Palacio del Maynila in Malate, Manila. Other guests in the wedding were GMA reporters Ivan Mayrina, RaffyTima, Emil Sumanguil, Yam Concepcion, Bianca King, IC Mendoza, Jove Francisco and Jeff Fernando.
Marfori and Oida crossed paths during their coverage at the Camp Crame headquarters in Quezon City six years ago.
They later became sweethearts.
In October 2014, Oida proposed to Marfori at the Bow Bridge in New York City, USA.
Oida captioned the video which he later posted on Youtube.
“MJ thought that we were just going to go for a scenic walk. Little did she know that I had this planned all along.
That it was the day I was going to propose. For me the perfect location was The Bow Bridge at Central Park “This is it!” Oida wrote. “Almost everyone on the bridge was an accomplice.”
In proposing to Marfori, Oida said: “We’ve been together for a long time. And we have bridged our pasts together and crossed the bridges of today together. Now, here at Bow Bridge [I ask], I’d like to cross and build more bridges with you. Maria Josefina Romualdez Marfori, MJ, will you marry me?” Oscar asked.
Marfori said “yes!” She added: “So I was totally shocked when he proposed. But I said yes because I would not let a good man pass me by.”
“I used to this an engagement is merely a formality. But it’s different when you experience it. I was nervous and excited. I didn’t mind the passersby. My focus was on MJ. It was like a dream sequence. She’s not the cheesy type, so when I saw her crying, I fell in love with her all the more. I gave her a white gold, one carat-diamond ring which is as clear as our love for one another,” Oida added.
Oida is the only son and the youngest after three sisters of former National Bureau of Investigation Director Oscar Oida Sr. and Beata Elumba Oida.
Marfori is the third of five children of Jose Enrique (deceased) and Teresita Romualdez, daughter of Vicente Romualdez, older brother of former First Lady Imelda Marcos.