They say love finds us in the most unexpected places—like an office cubicle. For Mary Grace and Niño “Onin” Roque, their love story began not with a meet-cute at a coffee shop but amidst spreadsheets and system errors at Universal Robina Corporation (URC), the company that has been their professional and personal home for nearly two decades.
URC colleagues and sweethearts Mary Grace (left) and Niño “Onin” Roque
How Grace and Onin Met at URC
Their journey started when Onin, an IT staff member then, and Grace, who worked in procurement, crossed paths when Grace needed Onin’s expertise to fix a system glitch. Though their initial interaction might have seemed a little tense (Onin shares that Grace seemed “masungit” when they first met), there was a spark. Soon, curiosity bloomed into dates, and their connection blossomed.
When asked how long before they got married, the couple exclaimed, “Months lang!” Grace continues, “Naging kami noong November 2007, then after that noong March lang parang magse-settle down na kami. So, four months. Then after noon, June, kasal na kami.”
Fast forward to today—Grace, Global Strategic Sourcing Lead (Procurement), negotiates deals with suppliers to secure the best materials for URC's products. Onin, Sales Systems Manager (Sales Operations and Systems), implements systems that empower URC's sales force. They've built a beautiful life together, filled with two amazing children and 15 years of laughter, love, and mutual support. Throughout it all, URC has been a constant, a thread woven into the fabric of their lives, fueling both their personal and professional journeys.
Navigating Work-Life Harmony
Working in the same company while being married could pose challenges, but Grace and Onin have mastered the art of work-life balance. Working separately, in particular, worked in their favor as they avoided bringing conflicts at home. Grace shares that the secret to their long-lasting relationship was giving each other the time and space that they needed: “Hindi namin sinasabayan ang init ng ulo ng isa’t isa.”
According to Mrs. Roque, a secret to their long-lasting relationship was giving each other time and space that they needed
Looking Ahead: A Future Fueled by URC's Opportunities
Now, with a decade and a half going strong, Grace and Onin look towards the future as a couple and as individuals working at URC. Grace seeks to develop her leadership skills further, taking on challenges that involve managing and mentoring people. “I believe na ito talaga ang training ground ko, [sa pag-]handle ng mga tao. Looking forward ako to more trainings and pag-angat pa ng career,” Grace shares.
Meanwhile, with his entrepreneurial spirit, Onin envisions starting his own business, fueled by his passion for cooking and his desire to spend more time with his family. Still working for almost 20 years, he treasures his time working for the company.
“Napakaswerte ko kasi naabutan ko yung lahat [ng growth ng company],” says Onin. “Tsaka ang daming learnings sa URC from HR and IT to Sales.” He was particularly grateful for the second family he found at URC. “Hindi talaga simpleng empleyado ka lang, pamilya ang naramdaman ko sa URC kaya nag-stay ako.”
Grace adds, “Iba pa rin ang URC kasi ang URC meron talagang malasakit sa tao. Pag may kailangan ka, kakausapin ka nila.” She continues, “Maganda yung culture, yung support system, and approachable din, not only yung officemates mo but yung superiors mo din.”
Grace and Onin’s story is a testament to the power of love, the power of opportunity, and the power of a company that cares. It’s a story that unfolds within the walls of URC, proving that sometimes, the greatest love stories and career journeys begin in the most unexpected places.
The story of Mr. and Mrs. Roque proves that sometimes, the greatest love stories and career journeys begin in the most unexpected places.
