Mariz Umali Asks Raffy Tima, ‘Kung Sakali Ba Na Hindi Tayo Magkaanak, Okay Pa Rin Ba?’

Journalists and married couple Raffy Tima and Mariz Umali recently opened up about their lives, careers, and the question of having children during their appearance on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda.

After the fast talk session, Boy gave the couple a chance to ask each other, “Isang katanungan na hindi niyo pa maaaring natatanong.”

Mariz asked, “Kung sakali ba na hindi na tayo magkakaanak, okay pa rin ba?”

“Ako naman yes. Of course, okay lang yan,” Raffy answered. “Kasi unang-una, bilang si Mariz Umali, marami na siyang na-influence. Marami siyang anak, Tito Boy. Marami siyang na-influence dun sa kanyang magandang buhay, so ang dami naming tinuturing na mga anak-anakan and we’re very proud of them. Mga naging kaibigan na namin sila.”

For Raffy’s part, he asked Mariz, “Mas light yung akin eh. Ano yung nakita mo sa akin na ako yung pinili mo?”

Mariz said, “Naramdaman ko lang eh talagang nasa kanya lahat. Natatalinuhan ako sa kanya pero I didn’t know na sobrang funny rin pala niya. So parang it’s a complete package. Everything that I need, everything that I want and I ever hoped for and I prayed for.”

Raffy and Mariz got married on December 8, 2012 after being good friends for 9 years and a couple for almost 3 years.

Mariz and Raffy’s career and marriage

Considered as household names in Philippine journalism, Raffy and Mariz also gave insights on their career. And it’s quite easy to see how the couple achieved success considering their work ethic.

Discussing their commitment to working through holidays, Mariz admitted that she doesn’t say no and that “Work is a blessing.” For Raffy’s part, while he admits that he says no to some work, there’s one type of assignment that he always accepts: “mga mapanganib na assignments.”

Raffy explained his dedication to covering dangerous assignments, including wars, by saying, “Never ako tumanggi sa ganong coverages. Kasi yun ang hinahanap ko. Yun yung bumubuhay ng dugo ko as a journalist… So lahat ng giyera, halos, that occurred during the past 10 years, napuntahan ko na–Afghanistan, Iraq, Istanbul, Marawi,” Raffy shared.

“Siguro [kasi] nandun lahat ng elements ng balita. Nandun yung breaking news aspect niya. Pero kailangan mo rin palalimin para mas maintindihan ng lahat. Kasi kung hindi, lalong lalala yung problema.”

Mariz’s concern for Raffy during his dangerous assignments is palpable, especially when Boy asked the latter if he’s not scared to die.

Raffy answered, “Hindi ko iniisip.”

Mariz added, “We always pray. You have to pray. Kahit na nasaan kami, malayo siya, over the phone, we pray. Minsan, kahit hindi na muna kami makapagkwentuhan, basta makapagdasal lang kami.”

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