Soggy Sanctuary with Happy Bride
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 one. The Barasoain church in Malolos, Philippines flooded due to heavy rain. Typhoon Whipa had intensified seasonal monsoon rains in the Philippines, bringing widespread flooding. The 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. “We just mustered enough courage,” said Jade. “We decided today because it is a sacrifice in itself. But there will more sacrifices if we don’t push through today.” Jamaica waded down the aisle with her white dress and wedding train floating behind her through waters almost up to her knees. At the altar, Jade was waiting to receive her while wearing an embroidered shirt called a Barong Tagalog, worn during special occasions.
Jamaica Aguilar walked down the aisle, clutching her father’s arm, dressed in a white gown and cathedral-length veil worthy of the baroque-style church she was in. Except for the fact that she, as well as all her guests, were almost knee-deep in water: the church was completely flooded due to heavy rains brought in by both a seasonal monsoon and a typhoon. But the couple didn’t let that stop them – saying it was “challenging, but we focused on what’s important.” The submerged wedding aren’t just a tale of determination. For the 27-year-old bride, the hardest part of the wedding was the night before, when she was deciding whether or not to go ahead with the ceremony. The wedding planners had warned them that the rains would get worse. “It was the most critical time for us — should we cancel and reschedule it? It was 50/50 for me — I was considering cancelling,” she told the BBC. But in the end, they decided to press on. “It was challenging but we focused on what’s really important – our relationship and the people who love us,” 27-year-old groom Jade said, adding that they were both “overjoyed” after the ceremony. 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 (pictured below). “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.”
Typhoon Wipha, known locally as Crising, is the third storm the Philippines has seen this year. The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to tropical cyclones, due to its location on the Pacific Ocean where such weather systems form. About 20 tropical cyclones form in that region every year, half of which impact the country directly.
Pennies from heaven
People asked me if it rains upside down in Australia.
I said: “Yes, but down here, we call it evaporation.”
Lots of rain lately. Anyone need an Ark built?
I Noah guy.
On my way to my wedding I got caught in a rain shower and my dress was ruined.
I tried to file a claim with insurance, but they said I didn’t have an umbrella policy.
In which country does it rain sheep?
Bahrain.
July 24th Birthdays
1897 – Amelia Earhart, 1969 – Jennifer Lopez, 1951 – Lynda Carter, 1968 – Kristin Chenoweth
1994 – Lucas Adams, 1964 – Barry Bonds, 1978 – Danny Dreyer, 1946 – Gallagher