A newlywed couple from Cavite proved that true love can withstand any typhoon and challenges!
Couple Cristine Lavarias and Randolf Diones got married during the onslaught of #PaengPH in the province of Cavite on October 29, 2022.
Cristine recalled that they were initially relieved that their province won’t be affected by the typhoon after monitoring the news.
“Pagdating ng tanghali, ayun na dumating na ang malakas na ulan. nagaalarm na ‘yung mga phone na signal number 3 na ang Cavite. Wala na, hindi kana pwede umatras kasi lahat nakabihis na. All set na lahat, wala kanang option kung hindi i-push through,” Cristine told The Philippine STAR.
“Habang nasa altar kami, kita namin, may maliit kasi na window, talagang humahampas ‘yung hangin, sobrang lakas tas nagtitinginan kaming dalawa na para bang “ayy di pa rin siya tumitigil, ayaw parin niyang magpapigil,” she added.
Despite the bad weather, the wedding ceremony pushed through. They also opted to do their post wedding shoot inside the church since it was already raining outside.
While they were on their way to the wedding reception, the couple started receiving calls and messages from their guests.
“Maya maya may tumatawag na samin na ‘Tin sorry, hindi na talaga kaya, next time na lang tayo magbonding. Bawi na lang kami sainyo.’ Sabi ko anong nangyayari? Wala po kaming idea na ganun kasi sa area namin wala pang baha,” the bride recalled.
Outside the venue, they saw some of the guests started leaving the area.
“Binababa nila ‘yung window nila, nagpapaalam na sila samin. ‘Yun na nashock na kami. Huh? Talaga bang nangyayari ito satin? Hanggang sa wala na din kaming nagawa, hindi mo na controlled ‘yung situation,” Cristine said.
Cristine admitted that she was initially disappointed over the turn of events on their wedding day.
“Planned talaga, almost a year kaming nagprepare for that event. All set na nandun po ang cater Fully paid lahat. Talagang bisita na lang po ang kulang at kaming couple,” the couple said.
Cristine and Randolf’s guests weren’t able to reach the venue due to knee-deep flood. The couple also decided to stay in the area in hopes that the incessant rain would eventually subside.
“Hoping kami na titila. Sabi namin, pag tumila, diretso tayo, pasok, kaya lang wala na po talaga, hindi tumitila ‘yung ulan. Ngayon sinabihan kami ng iba naming family na “umalis na kayo dyan dahil tumataas ang baha dyan.” Eh ‘yung amin pong bridal car ay kotse, so mababa. Aabutin po ng baha,” she said.
A family member then suggested to stay at a fast-food store since the surrounding areas were already flooded.
“Pagdating ko sa McDo, talagang gutom, pagod, stress. Ang ginawa namin, inorder na namin lahat para sa bisita namin. Hindi kami aware na ‘yung photo and video team, continue pa din ang pagshu-shoot sa’min. Ang concern ko na lang, kailangan itong mga taong ‘to na naabala namin, kailangan mabusog namin sila. Kasi ‘yung abala, ‘yung stress na binigay namin sobra-sobra,” she shared.
From 135 guests, only 20 individuals joined the couple during the “impromptu” wedding reception.
“Nung dumating ‘yung family, dumating ‘yung ilang friends, sumaya kami kasi ang support nila, ‘Di Tin, wag kang mag-alala, di ka namin iiwan, dito lang kami.’ ‘Yun po ‘yung nakapagpalakas samin, kaya ngayon nagcelebrate na lang kami,” Cristine said.
The newlywed couple along with some of their visitors waited for the flood to subside inside their cars in the parking lot of the fast-food store. Despite the output, the couple said that they’re thankful that everyone who attended their wedding was safe.
