The photos that went around the world: A wedding in a typhoon

Thursday, 23 July 2026

A year ago, Jade Rick Verdillo and Jamaica Aguilar were determined to walk down the aisle on their wedding day - even if it was flooded. Now, after the photos went around the world, the bride has revealed her big concern - and the last minute bit of luck.

In July 2025, Typhoon Whipa had intensified seasonal monsoon rains in the Philippines, flooding the Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province due to heavy rain. Despite this, the couple decided to keep the wedding on.

Many of the people the couple invited couldn’t make it to the church because of flooding, but Aguilar recalled one of her hopes was realised.

'I remember praying and asking, please stop raining just for today so we can enjoy this. And luckily, it stopped when I [got] outside the car,“ she told the BBC.

She recalled how she went barefoot in the flooded church so she wouldn’t slip.

'I wasn't thinking about anything except, 'Please don't fall, please don't trip', because the tiles were getting slippery as I went deeper and deeper into the church.“

The floodwaters kept rising through the ceremony.

Aguilar waded down the aisle with her white dress and wedding train floating behind her through waters almost up to her knees. At the altar, Verdillo was waiting to receive her.

Looking back on the day, Verdillo said it was perfect: “Now, honestly, I wouldn't change anything about that day,” he told the BBC.

Aguilar praised photojournalist Aaron Favila, who took the photos that went around the world.

'His photos were what went viral… Especially the one of me outside the church. That's the one that got everybody's attention.'

– Stuff with AP