{
  "id": 4900623,
  "title": "Philippine couple married in hip-deep floodwaters",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/philippine-couple-married-in-hip-deep-floodwaters-4900623",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-01T16:52:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2026/09/1523846/philippine-couple-married-hip-deep-floodwaters"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Manila — A Philippine couple exchanged vows in knee-deep floodwaters at a Catholic church struggling under heavy rains that have plagued the archipelago for a month. Leian Lieza Galang and Gilbert Chico, both in their 30s, waded into the murky brown waters inside the Saint John the Baptist church in Hagonoy town, north of Manila, to solemnize their union. Clad in matching white attire, the groom told AFP that they didn't mind the soggy garments as they made history. The parish priest solemnized the union in an abbreviated ceremony despite the advice to postpone due to rising floodwaters. The church had been partially submerged for nearly a month, making it a fitting location for the ceremony. The couple's decision to proceed was their own, with the parish doing their best to ensure a memorable day. The lighter-than-usual seasonal monsoon rains in August caused landslides and flash floods, resulting in 34 deaths. Alfonso, the wedding photographer, noted that the church had been underwater for a month and that the bride's gown had to be altered to accommodate the flood. Fewer than 15 people attended the intimate ceremony, held before the groom returned to work after an earlier-than-planned vacation due to an ankle injury.",
  "summary": "MANILA: A Philippine couple tied the knot on Tuesday at a Catholic church swamped in hip-deep waters, as heavy rains have pummelled large parts of the country for a month.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "Philippine couple married in hip-deep floodwaters",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/philippine-couple-married-in-hip-deep-floodwaters-4863436",
        "published": "2026-09-01T12:44:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Philippine couple weds in hip-deep floodwaters after refusing to postpone",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/philippine-couple-weds-in-hip-deep-floodwaters-after-refusing-to",
        "published": "2026-09-01T13:29:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "VIDEO: Philippine couple holds wedding in flooded church",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/video-philippine-couple-holds-wedding-in-flooded-church",
        "published": "2026-09-01T16:46:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}