A wedding ceremony proceeded as planned in the Philippines despite the church being submerged in waist-high floodwaters due to heavy monsoon rains. Newlyweds Gilbert Chico and Liean Liza Chico exchanged vows at St. John the Baptist Parish in Hagonoy, Bulacan, on Tuesday, refusing to let the downpour dampen their special day.
"We had been looking forward to this day for so long, and we did not want the rain and flooding to stop us from getting married," the couple stated. "It may not have been the wedding we imagined, but it is certainly a day we will never forget."
The bride, Liean Liza Chico, waded through the murky floodwaters toward the altar, where her groom was waiting. Family and friends also stood in the flooded walkway to witness the ceremony. Photographers captured the moments as the bride navigated the water, seemingly unfazed, with her eyes fixed on the groom.
Local authorities had advised the couple to reschedule due to the potential dangers posed by the flooding. However, their determination to marry on their chosen date prevailed.
The wedding took place as the Southwest Monsoon brought continuous heavy rainfall across parts of Luzon, the Philippines' most populous island. Bulacan Province, where the ceremony was held, was among the regions severely affected by the prolonged flooding. The province had already been declared under a state of calamity on August 20.
The Filipino Office of Civil Defense reported that approximately 9.1 million people across 10 regions were impacted by the combined effects of tropical cyclones and the yearly monsoon season. A total of 178 cities and municipalities were placed under a state of calamity, with 24 of those located in Bulacan.