Hair pledge gives twist to wedding
Every parent dreams of seeing the day their child walksdownthe aisle and marries their true love.
However, Luna Macapagal was unsure if she would see her 20-yearold daughter Jony Lee’s big day.
Macapagal was diagnosed with ovarian cancer two years ago and her health has been up anddownsince.
Alistair Lee, having already asked Macapagal’s permission, proposed to Jony on October 21 at Auckland’s Botanical Gardens and they married at Alley Estate on November 21.
During their reception, the couple surprised their guests by shaving their hair in honour of Macapagal.
They’d told Pia and Anaru Church of Songbirds Photography of the plan and the emotion of the occasion was captured.
Jony said it was her husbandwhocameup with the idea. Guests expected the couple to do a traditional Filipino dance where guests give them money, but Jony told those gathered they planned “something different”.
“I said whatevermoney you were supposed to give us in the traditional Filipino dance, wewill be giving it to the Cancer Society, and then everybody was confused. Then the wedding coordinatorcameupwith the shaver and I was like, ‘Nowweare going to shave our heads’.
“Guests then had the opportunity
to donate money which would then be given to the Cancer Society. Wejust sat downand Alistair started shaving his head.”
At that moment, Jony said, everyone in the roomwas in shock.
While the pair’s hair was being shaved, Jony said she was happy.
“Everyone was crying but I’m the
kind of person to find the good out of what was happening.” Both of Jony’s parents felt “very proud”.
Photographer Anaru Church said there was a lot of emotion in the room, calling it an “infectious atmosphere”. The couple raised $1400 on the night for the Cancer Society. Guests continued to donate days later, bringing the amount raised to $2000.
Jony created agivealittle page so others can donate to the charity
which personally helped Luna during her treatment. The fundraising response from guests, friends and family was “overwhelming”.
Jony and Alistair haveknowneach other since they were 5 years old and started dating three years ago.
Going to the same primary and high school in the Auckland suburb of Flatbush, Jony said she had had a crush on Alistair since Year 2.
However, as he was very popular at school, Jony never dreamed he
would speak to her. Jony described her mother as a fierce warriorwho, despite her poor health, continued to work while going through treatment.
Hermother said she’d love to see the pair marry, often joking about it.
“She would rather see it nowrather thanwhenit’s too late. Everyonewho has helped us with her journey has been so kind.”
The newlyweds are both studying to become chiropractors and still have a fewyears of study left.