After 32 years of living together, a 79-year-old man and his 67-year-old partner finally exchanged vows in a civil wedding ceremony at Manila City Hall on Wednesday morning, 4 February.
The wedding of Manuel Bulong Delos Santos and Mae Jean Dolar Baladiang at the Bulwagang Villegas marked a poignant start to Valentine month, underscoring that love and commitment are never bound by age or timing.
With Manila City Hall staff as witnesses, the couple stood before Francisco Isko Moreno Domagoso, who officiated the ceremony and described it as a “heartwarming situation” for City Hall employees.
Domagoso said the couple was granted the ceremony in recognition of their persistence in seeking to formalize their relationship after more than three decades together.
Delos Santos and Baladiang have lived together for 32 years, raising six grandchildren under the same roof and navigating life’s hardships long before walking down the aisle.
Baladiang said that while they had built a life together for decades, it took years for their documents to be completed to make the marriage possible.
“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. Kaya ito na po 'yung katuparan ko at salamat po,” she said.
Despite financial struggles, including raising their grandchildren and recently pawning their television to pay for school enrollment, the couple remained determined to fulfill their dream of marriage.
City officials said the couple’s story serves as a reminder of the enduring value of commitment and the institution of marriage.
Domagoso expressed hope that the newlyweds would be blessed with good health and many years together.
“I hope kapulutan ng aral ang pagsasama ninyo na kahit na sa ganitong edad ay kinikilala niyo pa rin ang kahalagahan ng kasal. Bilang institusyon, bilang indibidwal, bilang Ama ng Maynila, walang huli sa pag-ibig at asawa hanggang dulo,” the mayor said.
Baladiang thanked Domagoso and City Hall staff for their assistance, saying the blessings they received exceeded what she had prayed for.
“Ang daya-daya po ni Lord. 'Yung hinihiling ko po sa Kanya, konti lang; ang binigay Niya po sa akin, sobra-sobra,” she said.