Married couple Mark Lapid and Tanya Garcia shared how their love story blossomed during their guest appearance on the morning talk show, Magandang Buhay, November 29.

According to actor-politician Mark, they did not undergo the traditional courtship as they started out as friends. With Tanya mentioning that they starred in the 2006 movie Batas Militar together, Mark admitted that he felt instant attraction towards her.

Married for six years, Tanya admitted undergoing adjustments as they came from different backgrounds given that Mark grew up in a typical Filipino family while Tanya grew up with an American father. “’Nung first few years namin, medyo ‘yun nga, hindi siya sanay na very vocal ako sa nararamdaman ko,” Tanya said, referring to their first two years together.

Nonetheless, she implied that they have gotten to know each other better now, “Pero ngayon kasi, dahil ang tagal na nga namin, nakilala na talaga namin sa isa’t isa. Kasi di ba, hindi mo naman talaga makikila ang partner mo hangga’t nasa iisang bubong kayo, hangga’t ‘yung talagang 24/7 mo kasama.” She also said that until now, every day is a learning experience with him.

Meanwhile, Tanya was asked why she would turn down Mark’s church wedding proposals through the years.

The actress answered, “Kasi para sa akin, ayos naman kami, eh, di ba? Although it’s something really sacred for us Catholics and for us girls, pero parang ako kasi, why fix something that isn’t broken? Okay na naman kami. Masaya naman kami. May mga anak na kami. Nagsisimba naman kami, nagpapasalamat kami kay God. We always pray so parang hindi na siya ‘yung something na sobrang nilu-look forward ko kasi nga ang nangyari sa’min, nauna akong magkababy bago kami magpakasal… So parang nawala na siya (the desire to get married in the Church),” she said.

Mark, for his part, said that he wants them to get married in the church out of respect for their religion.

Mark and Tanya, who were married in civil rites, have two daughters.