Kapuso reporter Cata Tibayan's fairytale love story

After numerous celebrity weddings this past couple of years, it's the turn of one of their best showbiz storytellers on television to get her happily ever after.

Kapuso entertainment reporter and "24 Oras Weekend" Chika Minute anchor Cata Tibayan is set to marry her college sweetheart Jert Stephen Yao on November 15, 2015 at the Basilica Menor de San Sebastian in Quiapo, Manila after almost seven years in a a nurturing relationship.

As a child, Cata believed in a fairytale love stories and like most girls, she had hoped to be in a pair of princess' shoes one day.

“Laging kinu-kwento ng nanay ko ito: Mayroon daw dalawang plato. Biniyak 'yung plato at 'yung isa ay itatapon nang malayong-malayo, tapos 'yung isa lang ang itatabi mo. Kapag mayroong isang taong nakahanap ng nawawalang plato tapos nakita niya 'yung plato mo at napagdikit niyo, kayo talaga,” she shared in an exclusive interview with GMA News Online.

Being a beautiful, smart, and driven young lady, the Kapuso anchor attracted many suitors and admirers early on, especially back when she was just still a Liberal Arts student at De La Salle University.

But among all of his persistent suitors, one unlikely Business student got her attention, and eventually, her heart.

According to Cata, “I would describe him as tamad mag-aral, gusto basketball lang or DOTA. I saw him as someone na wala pang direction. Parang lost, kumbaga. But I felt na nag-connect kami. I felt like maybe I can be a light to this person and he can also encourage me to become better. Nag-complement lang talaga kami from the very beginning.

“When I met him, na-feel ko and I asked 'Lord, dinala mo ba ako sa buhay ng taong ito para tulungan ko?' Noong nagkakilala na kami and eventually naging kami na, I saw him improve and I was very happy kasi naging part ako ng improvement niya. Naging driven na siya, he knows what he wants, he's very much career-oriented now,” she added.

She served as the light of Jert, but this cool and chill Business major gave Cata her much-needed color in life.

As a student, she was focused on achieving all of her goals and she was determined to graduate with flying colors, a medal, and a set of very proud parents. But with all the persistence came the reality that she seemed to start forgetting the people around her, even herself.

Jert taught Cata to live life and love her family. After all, success cannot be a one-man job.

Cata shared, “He taught me to become human again. Noong college ako, gusto ko lang mag-aral, gusto mo lang ng medal. Dahil sa kaniya, naging tao ulit ako. Parang, 'Hey, you need to go out. Have a social life. Kailangan ka rin ng pamilya mo. Have time for the people you really love. Have time for other people.'

“ Sometimes, we're blinded by our ambition and we're so focused on one direction that we forget the people beside us. He taught me na in this life, kahit goal-driven ka, kailangan mo na ibang tao to reach that goal. He taught me time management, na mahalin ang ibang tao at ang sarili ko,” the showbiz reporter added.

GALLERY: JERT AND CATA'S ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS

Favorite place in the world

Seven years after they got together as a couple, Jert decided to pop the question, and what place could be better than Cata's favorite spot in the whole world?

Except the boyfriend didn't have any clue where it was.

Since grade school, it had been Cata's dream to spend time in Palawan, but for some reason, she hadn't mentioned this to Jert.

On her birthday last year, the two decided to travel to El Nido, Palawan and celebrate both Cata's birthday and their anniversary. Little did she know that there will be one other thing to celebrate.

“Hindi niya alam na 'yun ang favorite place ko sa whole wide world. Ang daming magagandang lugar sa mundo at nakapunta na rin ako sa ibang bansa, pero Palawan talaga ang gusto ko at doon siya nag-propose,” according to Cata.

She added, “Naiyak talaga ako. Sabi ko, 'Lord, ito na yata 'yung sinasabing meant to be. Eto na 'yung kuwento ng plato. Hindi niya alam na favorite place ko ito, pero inadya ni Lord. Birthday ko pa. Triple celebration -- birthday ko, anniversary namin, at nag-propose pa siya. Matagal na raw niyang pina-plano na doon talaga.”

Because of the proposal that seemed to be like God's perfect plan, Cata had her belief affirmed that this man who just asked for her hand in marriage is the forever she's been hoping for.

The news anchor said, “Parang pinagadya ni Lord na ito na ang tamang panahon. Ito ang love story na isinulat para sa amin dalawa. Bata pa lang ako, ipinagdadasal ko na na si Lord ang sumulat ng love story ko at sinulat niya na totoo-- may kilig, may away, may pagsubok, pero sa huli, dahil meant to be kami, pinagsama mo pa rin kami. Talagang, thank you Lord for writing our love story. If there's one strength in our relationship, it's always the Lord.”

Wedding preparations

Like any other bride-to-be, Cata had her dream wedding in mind, and it is her goal to have a wedding inspired by her parents, who are her role model when it comes to love and family.

The couple initially planned to get married at Manila Cathedral, the venue of Cata's parents' wedding, but it was fully-booked. So were San Agustin Church, Christ The King Parish in Greenmeadows, and every other Church they wanted.

The only Church available on their desired wedding date was San Sebastian Church in Quiapo, Manila, and while the bride wanted a two-hour wedding, the venue is only available for an hour. Nevertheless, they booked the place.

They moved on to finding a venue for the reception, and Cata had her mind on City of Dreams, one of the newest hotels in the coutry.

But again, the desired date was booked. Cata even tried to beg the other bride to give them the slot, but she did not oblige.

The only opening left was November 15, 2015, and Cata booked the date without knowing what to do with the Church reservation.

“Sabi ko, 'Lord bahala na kung may makukuha pa akong simbahan,'” she shared.

Just then, San Sebastian Church delivered some good news to the bride-to-be.

According to Cata, “We called the Church and sabi nila, may kaka-back out lang na bride na ikakasal dapat on November 15 at two hours ang nabakante. Kami lang daw ang ikakasal sa araw na 'yun. Sabi ko, meant to be na naman!”

Even the suppliers, who were initially not available on the first date preferred, became free for November 15.

“Pero nung sinabi namin na November 15, ang sabi nila may nag-back out rin na bride. Kaya push na talaga. Pati 'yung coordinator ko, nag-back out rin ang bride niya for November 15. Pati photograhers at videographers,” she said.

“Na-feel ko talaga na for November 15 kami kasi lahat-lahat-- Church, reception, suppliers-- pinagadya na naman ni Lord para matuloy lang ang kasal. Siya talaga ang nagsulat ng love story namin. Nagbigay-daan talaga ang lahat para sa November 15.”

Star-studded celebration

Cata said their wedding this will not only be their day but also a day of merriment for all of their guests who took time out of their personal schedules to be part of their special day.

Aside from the grandiose wedding and reception in beautiful locations, the couple promised a night full of performances and fun, as well as surprise special guests.

“We're going to make this a show, na parang nanonood 'yung guests ng Eat Bulaga. Gusto namin na pati ang guests ay masaya kasi nagnakaw ka ng oras nila kaya gusto namin na pag-uwi nila, masaya talaga. Parang theater production ang feel,” Cata shared.

Among the personalities who will grace the event are Heart Evangelista, Bea Binene, and Kris Bernal who are all part of the entourage, as well as Rocco Nacino, Lovi Poe, and the entire cast and crew of Bubble Gang.

According to Cata, the Bubble Gang family has grown close to her heart since the beginning of her career in GMA. “Doon ako lumaki. Tipong kapag kailangan ko ng showbiz story, punta lang ako sa Bubble Gang. In-accept nila ako as family. Siyempre sa showbiz, kani-kaniyang diskarte ng storya kaya ang ginawa ko noon ay nag-set visit ako. Nakita ko ang Bubble Gang every Monday. Hiyang-hiya pa ako. Sabi ni Michael V., 'Sama ka na rito. Visit ka lang kapag kailangan mo ng story or anything.' They welcomed me as if I'm part of Bubble Gang,” she said.

Mike Enriquez, Mel Tiangco,  Grace dela Peña-Reyes, and Arnold Clavio are included in the wedding's sponsors. --JST, GMA News