"Only Our First Trial Together"... Barefoot Wedding March in a Flooded Church

Despite Knee-Deep Floodwaters, the Couple Ties the Knot as Planned
"This Is Only the First Trial We Have Overcome Together," They Say

A wedding held as scheduled inside a church flooded by a typhoon, with even the guests entering barefoot, has touched hearts across the Philippines. On the 22nd (local time), AP reported that a couple in Malolos City, northern Philippines, held a special wedding ceremony at Barasoain Church, which had turned into a sea of water due to heavy rain.

A Filipino couple walking down the virgin road cutting through the water current. Photo by AP and Yonhap News

On this day, Typhoon Wipha brought heavy rainfall to many parts of the Philippines, causing widespread flooding. The historic church was not spared, but the couple said, "Marriage inherently comes with trials," and proceeded with the ceremony as planned. Jade Rick Berdillo and Jamaica Aguilar exchanged vows while standing on the flooded floor of the church.

The groom stood before the altar in the traditional Filipino attire, the Barong Tagalog. Both the groom and bride walked barefoot down the virgin road, promising to spend their lives together. Guests who attended to celebrate also removed their shoes and entered the church barefoot. The bride, wearing a white wedding dress, walked down the waterlogged aisle. The hem of her dress was stained dark by the muddy water, but undeterred, she made her way through water up to her knees toward the altar. At the moment the couple kissed, the guests standing in the water applauded and cheered for them. One guest at the wedding said, "The fact that the wedding took place despite the flood means that love has triumphed," adding, "It was truly a special wedding."

A Filipino couple walking down the virgin road cutting through the water current. Photo by AP and Yonhap News

After ten years of dating, the couple finally became husband and wife. The bride, Aguilar, said, "Marriage is an expression of our determination to overcome all difficulties together." The groom, Berdillo, stated, "I felt that if we gave up today, it would lead to even greater sacrifices, so we decided to be brave." He added, "This is only the first trial we have overcome together," expressing his resolve for their future married life.