The heartwarming and unforgettable wedding of Paulo Jayvee Padilla and Dianne Victoriano made headlines both locally and internationally. Hailing from Bulacan, the couple tied the knot at the historic Barasoain Church in Malolos on July 30, 2023. However, what made their wedding truly extraordinary was the fact that they decided to proceed despite the church being flooded.
In an interview with Julius and Tin, hosted by Julius Babao and Christine Bersola-Babao of One PH, Dianne expressed her surprise at how their wedding had gone viral. “We didn’t expect it,” she said. “We were surprised when our wedding started making rounds on social media.”
The couple was faced with an unexpected challenge when their coordinators informed them about the flooding inside the church just before the ceremony. At that moment, they had to make a difficult decision: cancel the wedding or push through with it despite the circumstances. Dianne and Paulo, however, were determined to carry on. Their main concern was for their guests and entourage, many of whom had traveled from distant places, including their godfather Jojo Alejar from Antipolo, Rizal.
“We, as a couple, really aimed to get married that day,” Dianne shared. “We were also thinking about our guests who came from far away.”
Dianne and Paulo approached each of their godparents, seeking their understanding of the situation. They asked, “Is it okay for you to be part of the wedding in this situation?” and told them that if it wasn’t, they could gather at the reception afterward. The couple was ready to proceed even if their entourage wouldn’t be complete.
But to their delight, not a single person backed out. “We saw their support. That was something we didn’t expect,” Dianne said. “We accepted the possibility that it might just be the two of us, along with our families, present in the church. But we were surprised to see all the godparents there, complete. Not one was missing. They all waded through the flood.”
Despite the challenging weather, the couple and their guests managed to make the best of the situation. Some guests even bought boots, while others brought flip-flops, knowing it would be a rainy day due to Typhoon Egay.
While most netizens reacted positively to the heartwarming story, there were some negative comments on social media, criticizing the decision to let the sponsors walk through the flood. But the couple defended their choice, emphasizing that they didn’t force anyone to attend. Each person voluntarily chose to be there on their special day, rain or shine.
Even Jojo Alejar, the godfather who traveled from Antipolo, couldn’t contain his joy and proudly posted a live video of the wedding. Despite the flood, he wholeheartedly fulfilled his duties as a ninong.
“Tuloy ang kasal! Mabuhay ang bagong kasal! (The wedding continues! Long live the newlyweds!)” Jojo exclaimed. “Rain or shine, through thick and thin, in sickness and in health, in storms or in flood, no matter what… typhoon… God is with you. You will endure, and no one can be against you. Love goes on, endless love, endless flood goes on,” he joked.
The love story of Paulo and Dianne will undoubtedly be etched in the hearts of those who witnessed their remarkable wedding amidst the flood. Their unwavering love, determination, and the support of their loved ones exemplify the true essence of marriage—persevering through life’s storms together, hand in hand, no matter the circumstances. As they embark on this new chapter in their lives, they have shown the world that love truly endures, even in the face of adversity.
Courtesy: PEP.ph
