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ABC News
4 days ago
- Climate
- ABC News
As typhoons become more frequent and intense, Filipinos are getting married in flooded churches
Major flooding inundated parts of the Philippines this week as tropical storm Wipha made landfall, killing at least six people and forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate. But one couple in Bulacan province was undeterred by the extreme weather, which fell on their wedding day — and chose to wade down the aisle in a flooded church. Jade Rick Verdillo and Jamaica Aguilar saw the decision to persevere in the unusual conditions as a symbol of their commitment to one another. "It's just a test. Before we got married, we were in this relationship for 10 years. We have been through a lot. "This is just one of the struggles that we've overcome." Images of the wedding went viral on social media, a symbol of Filipino resilience in the face of extreme weather. And wedding guests, knee deep in water, praised the couple. "It's an extraordinary wedding, like you will see love prevailed because even against weather, storm, rains, floods, the wedding continued for the blessing of our Lord, they become one," Jiggo Santos, a friend of the couple said. It's reportedly not the first time a Filipino couple has tied the knot in a submerged chapel. Two years ago, another pair walked down the flooded aisle of the same church, at the same time of year. Flooding is a perennial issue for the South-East Asian nation located in the Pacific typhoon belt, with at least 20 storms or typhoons striking each year. According to the UN, the country is the most prone to natural hazards in the world, and these hazards are becoming more intense due to climate change. Mahar Lagmay, a geologist at the University of the Philippines and an expert in disaster response, said infrastructure in the country was ill-equipped to deal with weather extremes made more likely by climate change. "Rainfall events that generate big floods are now becoming more frequent, they're not as rare anymore, they used to happen every one in 100 years," he said. "There should be a shift in mindset and try to entertain moving into a safer place that's safe and more liveable because these places are not liveable unless they convert it to a Venice type community." Dr Lagmay said construction of properties and roads over natural waterways and flood plains in the capital Manila rendered the city particularly vulnerable to inundation. But he said the country's disaster risk reduction efforts had made significant strides in recent decades, pointing out that the average number of fatalities from hydrometeorological hazards went down significantly from 1,000-1,250 average deaths a year for the period 1986-2013 to about 250 a year from 2014 to the present.
Eyewitness News
4 days ago
- Climate
- Eyewitness News
Couple gets married 'come hell or high water' in flooded church amid typhoon in the Philippines
We've all heard the phrase 'come hell or high water' and one couple in the Philippines proved they meant it literally on their wedding day. On Tuesday 22 July, Jade Rick Verdillo and Jamaica Aguilar tied the knot in a flooded church after being together for a decade. The couple walked down the aisle of the historic Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan province, despite ankle-deep floodwaters brought on by Typhoon Wipha. The typhoon had intensified seasonal monsoon rains, leading to widespread flooding across the region. Knowing the risk, Verdillo and Aguilar were undeterred. Rather than let the weather wash away their big day, they chose to embrace it. Photos from the event show Aguilar making her way down the aisle in a white wedding gown, the hem and train trailing in the murky water. Her groom, waiting at the altar, beamed as she approached. Guests who braved the storm placed their shoes on benches to keep them dry, determined to celebrate the love of two people who wouldn't let anything, not even a typhoon, stand in their way. 'We just mustered enough courage,' the couple told reporters. 'We've been together for 10 years. We know challenges won't stop here. This is just one of the struggles we've already overcome.' The newlyweds later shared their unforgettable wedding photos on Instagram and their story quickly went viral.
India Today
5 days ago
- Climate
- India Today
Filipino bride and groom walk down flooded aisle amid typhoon on wedding day
Jade Rick Verdillo and Jamaica Aguilar were determined to walk down the aisle on their wedding day. Even if it meant walking down a flooded Tuesday, the Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines, flooded due to heavy rain. Typhoon Wipha had intensified seasonal monsoon rains in the Philippines, bringing widespread couple anticipated the risk of flooding, but instead of letting the weather dampen the mood, they decided to push through, as all marriages have their challenges. The Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines, flooded due to heavy rain (Photo: AP) advertisement 'We just mustered enough courage,' said Verdillo. 'We decided today because it is a sacrifice in itself. But there will be more sacrifices if we don't push through today.'Aguilar waded down the aisle with her white dress and wedding train floating behind her through water almost up to her knees. At the altar, Verdillo was waiting to receive her while wearing an embroidered shirt called a Barong Tagalog, worn during special occasions. The newlyweds have been together for 10 years (Photo: AP) The newlyweds have been together for 10 years. The groom said, 'I feel that challenges won't be over. It's just a test. This is just one of the struggles that we've overcome.'Despite the turbulent weather, some family and friends made it to the wedding.'You will see love prevailed because even against weather, storm, rains, floods, the wedding continued,' said Jiggo Santos, a wedding guest. 'It's an extraordinary wedding.'- Ends
Filipino Times
5 days ago
- Climate
- Filipino Times
Love conquers all: Wedding goes on despite flooding at Barasoain Church
Love truly conquers all — even the flood at Barasoain Church. Despite heavy flooding inside and around the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish—better known as Barasoain Church—in Malolos, Bulacan, a wedding ceremony still pushed through on Tuesday, July 22. Continuous rains brought by the southwest monsoon (habagat), intensified by Severe Tropical Storm Crising, caused floodwaters in the area to rise up to knee level. But for Jade Rick Verdillo and Jamaica Aguilar, none of this was a reason to postpone their special day. The couple and their guests braved the floodwaters, walking through ankle- to knee-deep water just to reach the altar. Inside the historic church, they exchanged vows and promises of lifelong commitment—proving that even a flood cannot stop true love. 'Na-s-stress na ako dahil hindi ito 'yung pinlano namin,' the bride said on their wedding video. 'Pero lagi niyang sinasabi sa'kin, 'ang mahalaga magkasama tayo.'' Photos of the wedding quickly made rounds online, inspiring many netizens who admired the couple's strength and faith amid the storm. 'It's heartwarming to see them smiling despite the storm. Truly, nothing can stop their love. Whatever challenges come their way, they will overcome them as long as they have faith,' one comment read in Tagalog. 'From the very start, you braved the flood and nothing stopped your union. May God bless your marriage and help you overcome every trial, just like how you faced the flood and heavy rain with courage,' another netizen said. 'Hindi alintana ng mga ikakasal at maski ng kanilang mga panauhin ang baha, maituloy lamang ang pag-iisang dibdib ng mag-asawa sa harapan ng Dambana ng Diyos,' a post from the Parish read. Two years ago, a couple also tied the knot in the same church under similar circumstances. Paulo Jayvee Padilla and Dianne Padilla made headlines in 2023 after pushing through with their wedding despite the flooded aisle. Their photos went viral, with netizens dubbing them the 'Crazy Rich Asians' version of Barasoain, a reference to the lavish wedding scene in the 2018 American romantic comedy film.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
From wedding to wading: This Filipino couple got married in a submerged church; here's why
Just like a traditional wedding, this Filipino wedding had everything, a white dress, proud parents, church and guests ready to witness it all. But what set this wedding apart was that the couple exchanged vows while standing in nearly knee-deep floodwaters. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In the north of capital city Manila, Jamaica Aguilar walked down the aisle of the 19th-century Barasoain Church in Bulacan, on Sunday, arm-in-arm with her father and draped in a cathedral-length veil. But instead of a red carpet, she waded through murky water brought in by heavy monsoon rains and Typhoon Wipha, known locally as Crising. Despite the submerged altar, she and her groom, Jade Rick Verdillo, carried on. "It was challenging," said the 27-year-old groom, "but we focused on what's really important – our relationship and the people who love us." Their decision to proceed struck a chord online, with video clips of the flooded ceremony quickly going viral, praised by many as yet another example of Filipino resilience. Though strange, this was not the first wedding of its kind, as two years ago, another couple walked down the same aisle, at the same time of the year. But why are these couples are choosing to get married midst floodwaters instead of a red carpet and floor to welcome them? Behind weddings like this one, lies a deeper issue, chronic flooding made worse by decades of poor urban planning, crumbling drainage systems, and increasingly severe weather patterns. Barasoain Church itself is no stranger to such scenes, similar waterlogged weddings were held in 2022 and 2018. For Aguilar, the toughest moment was the night before the wedding. "It was 50/50 for me — I was considering cancelling," she told BBC. In the end, the couple pushed ahead, and celebrated their union with a dose of doxycycline, an antibiotic given by the local clinic to prevent waterborne infections such as leptospirosis. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Later that day, the still-flooded church hosted a funeral. The white coffin, perched on wooden stilts, stood as a quiet reminder of the storm's wider toll. Typhoon Wipha is the third storm to hit the Philippines this year, already claiming six lives and displacing tens of thousands. And the rainy season is far from over, two more tropical systems are forecast to hit the country in the coming weeks. Historically, the most powerful typhoons arrive near the year's end. The situation has also placed fresh pressure on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who is set to deliver his annual State of the Nation Address next week. Critics have slammed his administration's priorities after images of workers installing presidential banners in a flooded Manila sparked backlash. Marcos, currently in Washington for trade talks with US President Donald Trump, has defended his decision to travel, saying he left disaster agencies fully prepared. Metro Manila, home to over 13 million people, bears the brunt of the flooding. Its sewage network, dating back to the early 1900s, is ageing, overburdened and 70% clogged with silt, according to public works secretary Manuel Bonoan, cited by BBC. Experts like geologist Dr Mahar Lagmay have pointed to unregulated construction and roads built over natural waterways as further aggravating the problem. He argues that effective flood control must consider Manila Bay's tides, storm surges, and dam safety. The government says a master plan, drawn up with support from the World Bank, is in the works. In the short term, officials aim to refurbish 32 pumping stations across the capital. "We have to sit down once and for all, at the soonest possible time, to find a solution," said Mr Bonoan. Newlywed Verdillo agrees, and hopes future couples won't have to walk down a flooded aisle like he did. 'Improvements cannot be done in a day, but could be done in years... I'm positive about it, as long as we all focus on the mitigation.'
