The groom did push ups with his bride seated on his back beneath pipe poles which represent firefighters’ tools. (Photo courtesy of the Bureau of Fire Protection)
BACOLOD CITY––A firefighter in this city on Saturday married his girlfriend of almost 12 years, with the bride riding on a fire truck to their wedding in keeping with the Bureau of Fire Protection tradition.
Fire Officer 1 Alan G. Plantillo II, 29, chief of the Personnel and Training Unit of the Bacolod City Fire Station, and Haydee Sumaya, 30, were married at the San Isidro Labrador Parish Church in Barangay Tangub in this city.
When they left the church, their friends put up a “just married sign” at the back of the red engine, with tin cans rattling from behind to bring the newlyweds good luck.
Also in keeping with tradition, the groom did push-ups with his bride seated on his back beneath pipe poles, which are firefighters’ tools, as they exited the church.
They also kissed beneath a hose loop amid a spray of water.
They used a fireman’s ax to cut their wedding cake during their wedding reception.
“I wanted a wedding that also honored the job I am passionate about,” Alan said.
He was happy there were no fire calls during his wedding.
Alan met Haydee at the University of Negros Occidental Recoletos. Alan was a criminology student while Haydee was studying marketing.
Their relationship blossomed when he joined the Children of Mary organization, of which Haydee was a member.
They would go on honeymoon later because this week is a busy one at the fire station, Alan said.