Love that's stronger than the storms: This Filipino couple said "I do" amidst the flood
Wedding days can be full of unexpected moments, but this Filipino couple takes the cake after they braved through the flooded church aisle to officially become husband and wife.
Jade Rick Verdillo and Jamaica Aguilar tied the knot on July 22 just as the Philippines was facing the wrath of tropical cyclone Crising and the southwest monsoon. To make things worse, a low-pressure area also entered the country and had strengthened into a tropical storm, Dante. Another LPA also intensified into tropical depression Emong.
Despite the unrelenting rains that flooded the floors of Barásoain Church where they exchanged vows, Jade and Jamaica demonstrated a love resilient enough to weather any storm.
Stormy wedding
Before their wedding, Jade and Jamaica had envisioned a sunny day at Barásoain, even preparing portable fans as guest favors in anticipation of the warm weather.
However, just days before their special day, Tropical Depression Crising arrived, significantly altering their hopes for a stress-free celebration.
"A night before, puro stress po talaga 'yung nararamdaman namin. Hanggang last moment na before 'yung wedding, talaga puro worries po yung nasa isip namin," Jade told PhilSTAR L!fe.
While others would have already canceled the affair, the couple decided to push through as they wanted Jamaica's father, who works as a seaman, to witness their wedding while he was still in the country.
"Originally dapat April 'yung plan naming wedding, pero hindi makauwi si father noong April so na-move ng July," Jade explained. "Nandoon na rin kami within the area a night before, so might as well na ituloy talaga yung kasal even if walang dumating na supplier or walang mga bisita."
Despite everything, Jamaica still radiated joy as she walked down the flooded aisle with her parents. The images show a surreal scene of a bride in a pure white dress wading through murky waters.
"Noong una, syempre naiisip ko, 'Hala, binili ko 'yung gown ko. Ang ganda ganda nung tingin ko talaga sa gown ko. Parang sayang.' Pero sabi ko naman po dun sa mga photographers ko and mga coordinators ko, 'Make the most out of it na hanggang tuyo siya, picture na tayo ng picture, damihan na natin. Para kapag basa na siya later on, hindi na ako mangininayang,'" Jamaica shared.
When the time came for her to walk the aisle, Jamaica no longer felt any regrets at having her gown soaked by the flood.
"Parang additional effect na 'yung tubig. Although, mabigat siya and 'yung veil ko kasi, nahahatak siya ng tubig, naaagos na siya. At some point, parang sinasabunutan na ako sa likod eh, pero halika na, tumuloy na tayo," she said.
The momentous occasion was made even more significant by the presence of their loved ones and guests. Jade and Jamaica couldn't be more grateful for their loved ones and guests who still attended their wedding and fulfilled their duties as groomsmen and bridesmaids.
"Hanggang ngayon, naa-amaze po kami na paano po nilang naidaan 'yung mga kotse nila sa baha. Nag-risk rin po sila na mag-commute or lumusong sa baha even though na hindi natin masabi kung magkakasakit ba. So sobra po naming na-appreciate 'yung mga sacrifice nila na iwan nila 'yung bahay nila despite 'yung weather natin ngayon," Jade said.
Post celebrations
After sealing their marriage with a kiss at the altar, Jade and Jamaica continued the celebration at their wedding reception. Instead of a dampened mood because of the weather, they shared that the atmosphere was far from it.
"Super happy, as in. Nung pagpasok namin, sobrang joyous nila na parang hindi kami nagdaan sa baha. Atsaka parang hindi kami lalabas na baha yung kalsada. Hindi namin ramdam na nag-woworry sila na baha pa sa labas, baka lumakas pa yung ulan," Jamaica highlighted.
"Lahat talaga ng guests namin, hindi nila pina-feel sa amin 'yung worry," she added.
Love conquers all
Perhaps the perseverance Jade and Jamaica showed during their wedding is clear evidence of their strong love.
Their journey began a decade ago, meeting as accountancy students at the University of the East in Caloocan, and since then, they have navigated a variety of challenges together.
"Throughout the years, ang constant lang na nangyayari sa relationship namin is we're growing together. Hindi po namin iniiwan yung isa't isa. Syempre kapag tumatanda ka po, 'yung relationship niyo rin is nagiging wiser. So, nagsimula po kami sa parang teenage na love na puro down," Jade recalled.
"Then nag-start po kami magtrabaho, na-expose kami sa real world na nahirapan kaming i-balance 'yung life and work namin. Then eventually, natutunan po namin na to give time talaga sa isa't isa," he continued. "Mas naging understanding kami sa isa't isa. Talagang ini-aim namin to understand each other, to care, and to make us happy each other everyday."
In some ways, their wedding has become a symbol of love prevailing over adversity, and they couldn't be happier about it.
"Nakakatuwa na ganun 'yung mga nakikita namin, na kino-connect nila 'yung story namin sa ganun kagandang saying. And actually, ganun talaga 'yung gusto namin iparating: na love prevails. Kasi sa 10 years, sinubukan talaga namin na mag-stay or mag-stick talaga sa isa't isa kahit gaano man kapangit yung pinapakita namin sa isa't isa," Jamaica said.
"We chose to see the good in each other rather than give up," she added.
