Isabela, Philippines – The 14 years of love between an LGBTQIA couple in Isabela have led them to their ‘Happily Every After’, giving the province its first-ever same-sex union.
While the Philippines does not legally recognize same-sex marriage, Filipinos who belong in the LGBTQIA community practice the ‘Rite of Holy Union’ which is a spiritual ceremony joining individuals regardless of their sexual orientation.
One of the couples who just had their Rite of Holy Union, the first in Isabela, were Mart Andres and Engs Bravo of San Isidro. The two exchanged their vows in a ceremony held at a resort in Sto. Tomas, Alicia on June 8, 2025.
During their guesting and interview at XFM Santiago, the couple, both 31, shared they knew each other since elementary as they were classmates. Their connection blossomed in latter years of their life until they became a couple and have been together for 14 years.
Before they got their ceremony, the two, just like many other LGBTQIA pairs, struggled to get their respective family’s approval, thus they started seeing each other secretly. It was only in 2017 when both families accepted their relationship.
While they managed to overcome such a major challenge, there were other struggles in their love life like losing touch with each other. Their love was tested in February 2024 when Mart admitted to have cheated on Engs with another man. Amid the hurt and wounds, Engs gave Mart a second chance as the latter begged for forgiveness, and showed he has changed.
It was in 2024 when the two long-time partners finally got engaged with Mart popping the question to Engs while they were in the car.
Engs, however, revealed that Mart has been asking that they to get married since 2018, but Engs hesitated and did not accept his proposal back then.
“Ang kinakatakot ko ay yung sasabihin ng tao … may positive, may negative. And nagpandemic… and then nabalik ulit siya [proposal] ng 2024 before siya nag-cheat,” Engs recalled.
In June 2025, after all the turns and detours in their 14 years of being together, the pair finally stood before a priest and their loved ones and got married.
“Nag-decide po ako talaga na ayain po siya na magpakasal po kami. Kasi gusto ko po talaga, yun nga po settled na kami, ibig sabihin po, yun na lang ang kulang sa buhay namin yung ikasal kami sa harap po ng maraming tao,” Mart expressed.
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