Philippine couple marries in flood‑swamped Catholic church

A couple in the Philippines exchanged vows on Tuesday inside a Catholic church that was submerged in hip‑deep water, the ceremony proceeding despite the floodwaters that have inundated large swaths of the country for the past month. The wedding took place at the St. John the Baptist Parish in the town of Lumbayan, where the nave was partially covered by rising rain‑driven rivers, yet the officiant and a small gathering of family members continued the service as scheduled.

The event unfolded amid a prolonged period of heavy monsoon rains that have triggered widespread flooding across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, displacing thousands and prompting emergency declarations in several provinces. Local officials reported that rescue and relief operations remain ongoing, with authorities urging residents to avoid non‑essential travel in affected areas. The couple’s decision to marry in the flooded church highlighted both the resilience of the community and the challenges posed by the nation’s persistent weather disturbances.