Manila couple weds at City Hall after 32-year wait

After 32 years of living together, a 79-year-old man and a 67-year-old woman finally formalized their union in a civil ceremony at Manila City Hall on Wednesday.

Manuel Bulong delos Santos and Mae Jean Dolar Baladiang exchanged vows before Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso at the Bulwagang Villegas. The ceremony served as a poignant start to the city’s February festivities, with the mayor noting that the event proved it is never too late to honor a lifelong commitment.

The couple has shared a household for more than three decades, a period during which they navigated significant financial challenges. Recently, the pair pawned their television set to pay for the school enrollment of the six grandchildren currently in their care.

Baladiang said the long delay in their marriage was primarily due to the difficulty of organizing the necessary legal documents.

“In our 32 years together, I proved that I found my true love — the one I was waiting for, the one who truly loved me,” Baladiang said. “This is my fulfillment.”

Domagoso, who officiated the wedding, described the union as a “heartwarming situation” for the City Hall staff. He praised the couple’s persistence in seeking to formalize their bond despite their age and financial struggles.