A wedding is not supposed to prove how much danger everyone is willing to endure for one ceremony.
There is something undeniably cinematic about it: a bride in white wading through brown floodwater, a groom waiting at the altar, and a wedding pushing through despite a disaster outside.
Cue the comments: True love conquers all. Walang makakapigil sa pag-ibig.
Except there is nothing romantic about exposing yourself, your family and even a child carrying your wedding rings to potentially contaminated floodwater.
A recent wedding in Hagonoy, Bulacan made headlines after a couple proceeded with their ceremony inside a Catholic church despite floodwater reportedly reaching hip-deep levels. According to AFP, the parish had advised them to postpone because the water was rising.
They went ahead anyway.
Filipinos love stories like this because they fit our favorite narrative: resilience. Bagyo? Tuloy. Baha? Tuloy. Wedding? Tuloy na tuloy.
But sometimes, resilience is just unnecessary risk packaged as inspiration.
Floodwater isn’t swimming-pool water. It can contain sewage, animal urine, garbage, chemicals and disease-causing organisms. Leptospirosis is a particular concern after floods because the bacteria can enter the body through cuts, abrasions or mucous membranes.
And disease isn’t the only danger.
Murky floodwater can hide open manholes, broken glass, sharp metal and other debris. Flooding around electrical systems also raises the risk of electrocution. Should someone suffer a medical emergency, flooded roads can delay ambulances and rescuers.
Then think about the guests.
In this particular wedding, a photo reportedly showed a boy carrying the rings with water reaching his waist. Elderly relatives, children, photographers, church workers and other people may also have to expose themselves to conditions they never signed up for simply because the couple insists that the show must go on.
Yes, weddings are expensive. Venues are booked months ahead. Suppliers have been paid. Overseas relatives may have flown home. Postponing can be heartbreaking and financially painful.
But a wedding is supposed to celebrate the beginning of a life together—not prove how much danger everyone is willing to endure for one ceremony.
We need to stop automatically turning every act of stubbornness during a disaster into a heartwarming story about Filipino resilience.
Sometimes the most mature expression of love isn’t saying, “Nothing can stop us.”
It’s saying, “This can wait. Let’s keep everyone safe.”
READ:
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