ILOILO City – The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has not deterred a couple from getting married.
A member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and his girlfriend tied the knot at a quarantine control point in Barangay Switch, Tapaz, Capiz on Monday.
Private First Class Brian Garino, 26, of Jamindan, Capiz and assigned at the 6th Forward Service Support Unit (FSSU), and his pregnant girlfriend Elyn Fuyonan, 29, of Barangay Camburanan, Tapaz, Capiz exchanged marriage vows at around 11 a.m. before Tapaz’s Mayor Roberto Palomar.
As an FSSU personnel, Garino was tasked to man the quarantine control point in Barangay Switch. Considering the ongoing enhanced community quarantine, it was the most practical spot for him and Fuyonan to tie the knot.
According to Garino, Fuyonan was due to give birth to their first child next month so they decided to marry despite of the quarantine.
Garino met his now wife through social media in August 2018. He was already detailed in the FSSU while Fuyonan was then working in a private company in Tapaz.
“Nag-start ang love affair namon three years ago. We communicated through Facebook. A week after chatting, we met by accident. I was then in a bus going to Jamindan,” said Garino.
In Barangay Camburanan the bus picked up a passenger – a woman who sat beside Garino.
“Namukhaan ko siya. I told to myself daw amo gid ‘ni chatmate ko. Nagpa-simple ko nga gin-dial phone ‘ya. Didto ko na-confirm nga sia gid man,” revealed the newly-married soldier.
Garino eventually invited Fuyonan to visit Jamindan.
Their love further blossomed.
“I invited her to our house. Ginpakilala ko sia sa parents ko,” said Garino.
Garino admitted his wife was his second girlfriend “pero subong nag-iisa lang sia sa buhay ko.”
The couple is expecting a baby girl./PN
