Saan aabot ang PHP5,000 pesos mo?
A couple from Antipolo City has got an answer: this amount of money didn’t buy them a brand new car nor a trip ticket to Paris. Rather, it helped them seal their “I do’s” forever.
Jiony Jan Macabuhay and his girlfriend Geejen Berlin Monreal used this meager amount to seal their vows as husband and wife on October 25, 2021.
Their’s was a pandemic love story, and it all began a day before Manila went on full lockdown.
They were introduced by a common friend who, according to the couple, noticed that they have a similar habit of ‘sharing memes’ online.
They immediately clicked and became a couple.
To inspire #CoupleGoals, they decided to share their wedding photos last July 31, 2022.
Jiony uploaded and captioned their wedding day photos on Facebook: “Saan aabot ang 5k pesos mo?”
Geejan said that they only wanted their family and friends to know that they have tied the knot.
To their surprise, the Facebook post immediately garnered tens of thousands of engagements. Most of the commenters praised the couple for being practical.
“Nagulat po ako and di ako makapaniwala kasi we just intended to post lang naman dahil wala pa po masyado nakakaalam,” Geejan told The Filipino Times.
“Surprised and thankful because we really did not [expect] na madami magrereact,” quipped Jiony.
The couple also revealed the breakdown of their PHP5,000 wedding budget:
- Civil Registry: 390 pesos
- Food: 2,500 pesos
- Dress: Second hand
- Wedding rings: 999 pesos
“You just need to comply sa requirements ng Civil Registry then pay the Marriage License fee I think 390 pesos lang. Then free naman ang kay Mayor dapat lang makapag schedule na free and pwede si Mayor,” shared Geejan.
She also said that the photographer for the civil wedding under the Mayor’s office was free of charge.
“Need mo lang kumuha copy after if you want the good quality picture,” she added.
According to the bride, they both agreed that they will make their wedding as intimate as possible.
“Actually po, ang pinaka kinonsider po namin ni hubby is to get married talaga on that day and everything fell into place po. We both agreed po na intimate and simple lang po talaga yung wedding and talagang ayaw na po talaga namin gumastos. Naging memorable po siya kasi po yung pinakaimportant na mga tao po present on that day and memorable po dahil nairaos po namin yung wedding with all the available resources and supportive people around us,” said Geejan.
They only spent 2,500 pesos for their intimate reception.
“Yung dress is a gift from my mother’s FB marketplace, second-hand pa po,” Geejan proudly shared.
Geejan also did her own makeup while her husband kept it simple.
“DIY lang po makeup ko. Si husband hindi na nga nakapag-powder man lang,” she added.
They also opted for simple yet elegant wedding bands which only cost them 999 pesos.
‘Huwag mangungutang’
When asked for their advice to other couples planning to wed soon, Geejan and Jiony emphasized the importance of living within your means.
“My advice will be you just need to plan and talk to your partner. Plan so you can have the budget and search to have an idea about the costs.
“Greatest advice? Huwag mangungutang! Talk and communicate with your partner to decide since communication is the key. At laging tandaan: Kung gusto may paraan,” said Jiony.
Be resourceful
Geejan also shared: “Siguro po ang ma advice namin is kung talaga budgeted lang po talaga yung intended to spend on your wedding day, be resourceful po.
“Enjoy the process po while inaasikaso yung wedding para po di stressful along the way. Regardless naman po if bongga or simple yung kasal, ang importante is yung happiness niyo as a couple and ang love niyo with each other.”
