DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — A couple from Pangasinan mesmerized netizens with their unusual pre-nuptial photos.

Marvin Camara and Cassandra Erica Lavarias, who are set to tie the knot on July, went viral on social media for their Money Heist – inspired prenups.

Money Heist, also known as La Casa de Papel, is a Spanish crime drama series, and is one of the most-watched series on the popular streaming site Netflix.

Most couples prefer the romantic, cheesy take for their pre-nuptial shoots, but this couple is breaking away from the tradition.

“We wanted something really unique, yung maaalala naming kahit ilang taon na ang magdaan”, said Cassandra Donning the iconic red jumpsuit and Salvador Dali mask, Marvin and Cassandra, much like the series’ lovebirds Tokyo and Rio, are much in love with one another.

Their photos, shot by PhotoScape features the mesmerizing hundred-year-old capitol building of Pangasinan.

“Kahawig niya kasi yung bangko doon sa series”, Marvin and Cassandra said.

They initially planned to shoot inside the Capitol building, much like in the series, but they were barred entry due to restrictions placed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But how did they put up such a daring concept?

Unplanned Shoot

Cassandra said they never planned a pre-nuptial shoot, as they were pouring their funds in the construction of their house in Mapandan town.

They, however, were urged by Marvin’s little sister, Marie Rose, as her boyfriend Mervin Carbajal owns PhotoScape.

“Nakalibre kami”, they laughingly said.

But, here comes the difficult part — picking a theme to remember.

After some time, their inspiration suddenly popped up.

“Nagkataon lumabas yung trailer ng Season 5 ng Money Heist. Nagdecide na kami, yun na ang magiging concept namin,” Cassandra said.

It turns out the couple loves watching Money Heist.

In fact, when Marvin finished his duty as a seaman on April 2021, they spent their bonding time binge-watching Season four of Money Heist.

While Marvin is working overseas, they discuss about Money Heist, among other things.

This, according to the couple, made their relationship tighter amid the distance and absence of each other.

Seven strong years

Marvin shared their story on how they met.

“College na ako, tapos siya (Cassandra) graduating na sa high school”, he said.

Marvin was then a student in the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, and Cassandra was taking the entrance examinations when they first met.

Incidentally, Marvin was a proctor during the exams, and he began assisting Cassandra and her mother during their stay there.

Cassandra, however, failed to pass the medical examination, so she chose to study in a college in Malasiqui, her hometown. She eventually finished her Education course.

But who would have thought that simple moment would grow into seven fruitful years of a loving and trusting relationship? Eventually, Marvin graduated and went on to work as a seaman — setting him and Cassandra several miles apart.

Casandra shared the secret in their relationship’s success.

“Tiwala lang since LDR kami mahirap talaga yung malayo kayo sa isa’t isa. Doon mate-test ang relationship”, she said.

“Have faith. Hindi naman tatagal ng seven years kung wala yon”, Marvin seconded.

Marvin eventually bought a parcel of land in Mapandan, and proposed to Cassandra.

They are scheduled to get married on July 25 through a civil wedding.

Marvin and Cassandra’s love story is a testament, living beyond Berlin’s famous quote in the series, “Love can’t be timed. It has to be lived”.