A love that bloomed by the sea

Featuring Marchael Louie P. Buhisan and Marinella Kaye B. Zabala

From quiet glances across the high school court to vows exchanged beneath the Siargao sun, the love story of Louie and Ella is a beautiful testament to time, patience, and growth.

“We’ve known each other since grade school,” Ella shares. “But we only truly saw each other in high school—always in the same area, always in silence. Louie told me everything slowed down whenever he’d see me laughing down the stairs.” Their story began in stillness, in the comfort of familiarity and the serendipity of proximity. It wasn’t until a graduation party in 2013 that fate nudged them closer. Still, words were never exchanged—only looks and missed moments.

But destiny is persistent. Eventually, Louie got Ella’s number through her sister. From that moment on, they never stopped talking.

Eleven years later, with adventures that spanned continents and a shared love for travel and jet ski racing, Louie proposed during a surprise gathering with loved ones—right after a gender reveal for his brother’s baby. “Louie’s not the type to plan surprises,” Ella laughs. “So that moment meant the world.”

Their wedding was an intimate reflection of who they are: rooted in tradition yet wild at heart. The ceremony took place in a church, fulfilling their wish for a sacred sacrament, while the reception unfolded at Nay Palad Hideaway in Siargao—a place that had long captured their hearts. “We were the first couple to ever hold a wedding there. Everything was exclusive. It felt like our own little paradise,” Ella recalls.

From embroidered barongs featuring their first pet to fresh flowers and fruits evoking a vibrant garden, every detail spoke of their love story. Their personalized logo danced across napkins, coconuts, and even the dance floor. “We wanted it to feel like us—vibrant, full of life, and close to nature.”

Though rain poured after their first dance, it only added to the memory. “We had the best team, and honestly, the rain just made it more magical,” Ella smiles.

Their theme—vibrant summer and spring—mirrored their journey. “It’s sweet as spring and vibrant like summer,” Ella says. “That’s who we are. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.”