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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Timeless Love: Senior citizen couple wed after 3 decades

Timeless Love: Senior citizen couple wed after 3 decades

Published Feb 4, 2026 02:07 pm
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso officiate the wedding of Senior citizen couple Manuel Bulong Delos Santos and Mae Jean Dolar Baladiang at the Manila City Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 4. (Photo from Manila PIO)
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso officiate the wedding of Senior citizen couple Manuel Bulong Delos Santos and Mae Jean Dolar Baladiang at the Manila City Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 4. (Photo from Manila PIO)
Senior citizen couple Manuel Bulong Delos Santos and Mae Jean Dolar Baladiang exchanged their vows and professed their timeless love for each other during their civil wedding held at the Manila City Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso officiated the wedding of the 79-year-old groom and his 67-year-old bride after more than three decades of life together, witnessed by their family and city hall staff.
Domagoso said the pair had been living together for 32 years, navigating life’s challenges and caring for six grandchildren in their household long before reaching the altar to formalize their bond.
Baladiang explained that while their life together spanned over three decades, the path to this day required patience, stressing the ceremony as the ultimate fulfillment of a life spent with a partner who truly cared for her.
"For 32 years na nagsasama kami, ngayon lang kasi naging maayos ang mga documents namin. Sa 32 years na pagsasama namin, dito ko napatunayan at nahanap 'yung tunay kong pag-ibig—'yung tunay na hinihintay ko, 'yung totoong nagmahal sa akin (We've been together for 32 years and our documents for us to be wed were just completed now. In our 32 years together, this is where I found and proved my true love—the one I've been waiting for, the one who truly loved me)," Baladiang said.
The bride also remarked on how the blessings they received far exceeded what she had initially prayed for.
"Ang daya-daya po ni Lord. 'Yung hinihiling ko po sa Kanya, konti lang; ang binigay Niya po sa akin, sobra-sobra (The Lord really works in mysterious ways. What I ask of Him is only a little; but what He gave me is more than enough)," she shared.
The mayor noted that despite their financial struggles, including raising six grandchildren and recently pawning their television to pay for school enrollment, the couple remained focused on their goal of standing before the city to pledge their love.
He also expressed hope that the couple would be blessed with good health and a long life together now that they have fulfilled their dream of marriage.

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ISKO MORENO DOMAGOSO SENIOR CITIZEN WEDDING METRO NEWS MANILA CITY LOVE
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