Gab Valenciano, Tricia Centenera engaged

By: Marinel R. Cruz - 10 years ago

THE NEWLWEDS, flanked by Gab Valenciano and girlfriend Tricia Centenera— who caught the bouquet. COURTESY OF GAB VALENCIANO

MANILA, Philippines – Dancer-TV host Gab Valenciano popped the question Thursday night during an intimate dinner at the Valenciano home in Antipolo City – and his girlfriend, Australia-raised fashion model Tricia Centenera said “yes”.

“Dear God, thank you for him,” Tricia posted on her Twitter account last night. Sleeping with my ring on.”

The marriage proposal was witnessed by some 50 guests – the couple’s close friends and Gab’s immediate family. The dinner took place after Gab’s sister Kiana’s graduation rites. Kiana took up Fashion Design at the De La Salle University.

Tricia went to the dinner thinking it was a party for Kiana, said Vina Pareja, talent handler of the Valenciano patriarch, Gary. She started suspecting what it was really about when Gab played an audiovisual presentation about them as a couple. Later that evening, Gab got down on one knee and declared his intentions.

Tricia’s parents, Jose Sebastian and Cristina Maria Centenera, were not present, Pareja said, but Gab got to speak with them a few days prior.

In an online report, Gab, 25, host of a popular TV variety show every Sunday, said he hoped that Tricia was “the one.” Among his girlfriends, he said, she got the closest to his mother, Angeli. “She is also the one who is most like my mom.”

The couple was last seen in public during the wedding of actor Jericho Rosales to TV host-model Kim Jones on Boracay Island, in Aklan. Tricia caught the bridal bouquet.

Tricia, 27, is half-Filipino and half-Spanish but was born and raised in Sydney. A professional dancer, she studied dancing, acting and singing in a performing arts college in Adelaide. She is also an actress, as well as a TV and events host.