Michelle Cobb and Vito Sotto Genoroso. Photo courtesy of Michelle Cobb
MANILA – It's all about teamwork and perfect timing for couple Michelle Cobb and Vito Sotto Generoso, as they count down the days until they say "I do."
The former professional volleyball player and Quezon City councilor are a little over two weeks away from their wedding ceremony to be held in Laguna.
In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News in their soon-to-be home, the couple talked about the final stretch of preparations and shared details of the wedding.
"I think we're approaching the final stages of planning. And just for now, we're just waiting nalang for the actual day. So, it's okay naman the past months and days," Michelle said.
"And yesterday, it's a good thing that we already have a permit. The wedding permit. And it's just fitting na lang. Yeah, so we're just waiting for the day, basically," Vito shared.
After retiring from professional volleyball, Michelle has transitioned to being assistant team manager of her former team, the Akari Chargers. She also helps out in their family business in San Mateo, Rizal.
READ: Mich Cobb announces exit from playing pro volleyball
Vito is currently a councilor in the Quezon City 6th District, a professional football player and vocalist-guitarist of the band Sweet Lobos.
With both of them wearing multiple hats, they said it took a lot of teamwork between them and with family to plan the wedding.
"Siguro resorting to as much help as we can get. Because, I mean, we also have family to help us. We also have people around us that are very open to helping us in this journey. We also have a coordinator," Michelle said.
"It's more of like teamwork in a way that, let's say, with Vito, he's in charge of, like let's say, talking to our pastor. Parang ganun siya nag-sschedule. And then I do most of the coordinating of the suppliers, wedding, all that. I mean, we've been like that the past years that we've always worked as a team," she added.
Vito said they made sure to always involve their family and friends in the planning.
"I think a good factor would also be we both have very good support systems. Like, kung gusto namin magkita, I want her ate to come or I want to see her mom. So, sometimes, we go out together with her family or my family. And same with mine. So, it's not I wouldn't say we're selfish with our time in a way that we always want people involved," he shared.
NOT SO INTIMATE, INTIMATE WEDDING
The couple said their upcoming wedding is full of meaning and "intimate" in some ways.
"I wouldn't say intimate but it's intimate. Marami din kasing family and marami din friends. And we kept it. We wanted it na all the people there, we have a personal relationship with them," Michelle explained.
"We emphasized having meaning to every decision we made in this wedding. Everything has meaning. Everything should have meaning. So, I think we stuck to that throughout this whole process of planning the wedding," she added.
"And we know in some way, they're involved with our relationship and they've contributed to us being who we are today," Vito said.
But he admitted that he comes from a big family, so most of his guests are his relatives, who he wants to be there to witness this huge milestone.
The couple chose Laguna as the venue for their wedding, instead of going for a full on destination wedding.
"We really like this venue that we picked. And then it's not hustle and bustle of the city but not too far ganyan. I think if we planned it to be a little farther it's gonna be hard to have everyone there. So, kind of in the middle lang din," Michelle shared.
STORY BEHIND THE PROPOSAL
Michelle Cobbs' engagement ring. Photo courtesy of Michelle Cobb
It's been seven years since the couple got together and nine months since Vito proposed to Michelle in his family's home in Alabang.
Vito popped the question to Michelle last December 19, 2024 – the same day as the birthday of his father who passed away in 2020.
"I thought proposing to her on his birthday would be a good way to feel like he's there in a good way. In the coming years, there's a different reason also for me to celebrate his birthday. It's also the day na I proposed to my fiancée, my future wife," he said.
Generoso said the run-up to the proposal was the most nerve-wracking experience – from asking permission from Michelle's parents to the drive to his family home.
"There was a lot of overthinking on my end. Because driving to the house. Of course, I was thinking, I was thinking, sana hindi kami mabangga. Or sana hindi ganun ka-traffic. You know, I hope we don't get stuck somewhere. As in, I'm always, I ended up thinking of so many bad scenarios. Because, you know, it's a day where I didn't want anything to go wrong. And praise God, it went very smoothly," he said.
Michelle said she had no idea he was proposing that day, since they usually have family gatherings.
"From my POV [point of view] wala normal lang. Hindi ko siya pinanghihinalaan. Except nung dulo lang. Kasi sabi ko, mag-Birks na lang ako, yung flats. Usually slippers lang ako pag casual dinner. First time niya sinabi sa akin na hindi, suotin mo heels na dala mo. Okay, sinuot ko. Doon na yun na something's weird," she shared.
Vito said one of the most special moments was when he told his mom Apples Sotto and his grandparents.
"I told her [my mom] I asked Michelle's parents if I could marry Michelle, they said yes. My mom cried because she was very happy and super excited. When I told my grandparents what got me was when I told my lolo. I told him I told him, 'Tatay nagpaalam ako sa magulang ni Michelle.' 'Huh, ano sabi ng tatay?' Nag-yes naman and then one of the very few moments I've seen my grandpa cry. Of course it's a rare occasion to see that," he said.
PERFECT TIMING
Michelle Cobb and Vito Sotto Genoroso. Photo courtesy of Michelle Cobb
Vito revealed he was already going to ask Michelle to marry him two years ago.
"Nagpaalam ako sa mom ni Michelle [that I will propose]. She gave me her blessing naman. I guess may mother's instinct na parang hindi ready si Michelle. So she told Michelle about it," he shared.
"On my end, it's more of like, okay, he's ready. But like, marriage is, you know, it's a union. Like marriage is, like, it doesn't involve just one. So parang, I think we were able to, ano naman that. I mean, we were able to talk it out naman," Michelle said.
Despite having doubts back then, Vito said he later understood and admired Michelle on a deeper level for her decision.
"It's one of the best decisions she's made. For me ah. Kasi, sa totoo lang, her saying no to me, siyempre naapakan pride ko. Pero, I admit, it was good for me. Kasi, it made me a better person in a lot of ways. I saw it as a moment wherein I had to focus on myself," he said.
"And, I actually respected her a lot more pa, na she got to say no. Alam ko mahal niya ako. Pero, for her to say no, shows na she respects herself. And, I admired that about her. So, parang, I liked her more pa," Vito added.
Fast forward to about two years later, why did Vito think 2024 was the right time to ask Michelle again?
"Gut feeling lang din eh. Like, siguro, it was during a time na I had a work trip somewhere else. I was traveling. Then, I was thinking lang na, I was seeing a lot of nice things, going to nice places," he said.
"And then, I just had the feeling na, I don't like being in nice places without her. Alam mo yun, parang I want her to be with me all the time. And then, I realized lang na, I had a hunch lang na, I think it's time na," Vito explained.
For Michelle's part, she thinks she was in the right position in life for a major transition.
"Nung first time, I just joined the team. So, I'm like, wait lang, like, I'm building myself muna, like, with the sport again after graduating college. And then, siyempre, I'm also saving, ganyan. So, I was, that was really not my priority. But this time, parang, I felt na, yun, going back, I felt more fulfilled na, I got to save, I got to contribute to the team, I got to do a lot of things na I wanted to do in those early stages," Michelle shared.
"Everything was connecting, na I really wanted to move on na. And then, nag-propose siya. So parang, sakto lang din, like, lahat ng transition. Transition to after being a pro athlete. And then, now transitioning to, you know, being married. So parang nagsabay lang din," she added.
Seven years in, the couple said they have grown stronger together and continue to thrive in their own fields.
"I would say she's still who I fell in love with seven years ago but she's continued to grow as a person like she's just amplified her traits. She's a good person of course, she's a better person and she's grown to be more mature, more independent," Vito said when asked what she likes about Michelle.
"We met when we were 19 [years old], so it's great that I found someone who was willing to go on that journey of sort of discovering myself and ourselves. Hindi siya parang journey apart," Michelle said about Vito.
All that's left for Michelle and Vito now is for them to exchange "I do's" in front of the people they love and start a new chapter together.