Weddings are full of surprises, but Jony Macapagal, 20, and her husband, Alistair Lee, 20, pulled off one that no one saw coming.
It wasn’t a quirky dance or a dazzling fireworks display. Instead, they shocked their guests by shaving their heads at their own wedding. And the reason behind it is heartwarming.
After Saying "I Do," The Couple Shocked Everyone
When Jony and Alistair tied the knot at the Allely Estate in Kumeu, New Zealand, their guests were ready for a traditional Filipino dance, as is common at weddings. But this couple had something far more meaningful planned.
After their first dance, the DJ announced that they’d be shaving their heads — in solidarity with Jony's mom, Luna, who had been bravely fighting stage 4 ovarian cancer for three years. What might have been an ordinary wedding transformed into a deeply moving moment of unity, love, and support.
As Alistair sat down for Jony to shave his head, the room was a mix of laughter and tears. The surprise didn't end there — Alistair then took the clippers and shaved his bride’s head too. It was a powerful statement about their support for Luna and anyone battling cancer.
From Childhood Friends to Lifelong Partners: They Met When They Were Just 5 Years Old
Jony and Alistair's journey together began way before their wedding day. They met as children and went to the same school, sharing years of memories. After dating for three years, Alistair proposed to Jony in the beautiful Auckland Botanical Gardens. Of course, he made sure to ask Luna's permission first, showing the deep respect and love he had for Jony’s family.
Their unique proposal set the tone for a wedding filled with love and compassion. The couple's decision to shave their heads wasn’t just a touching tribute — it was a continuation of the bond and solidarity that had grown over their lifetime together.
Watch Jony Macapagal and Alistair Lee's Video:
The Bride Never Wanted To Go Viral
When Jony and Alistair shaved their heads at their wedding, it was meant as a private gesture to comfort Luna, who felt insecure about losing her hair during chemotherapy. Tragically, Luna passed away two months after the wedding, leaving the couple and their family devastated. However, what they didn’t expect was the attention their heartfelt act would receive.
Their goal wasn't to go viral but to show Luna she wasn't alone. Despite their intentions, the story spread like wildfire, catching the world's attention. Some detractors claimed it was just for show, but Jony and Alistair explained that they hadn’t shared any footage — their wedding photographer had posted it, leading to its viral spread.
Their Family Never Expected So Much Love and Support
Jony and Alistair's story resonated with people worldwide, triggering an outpouring of love and support. Jony shared on Instagram how grateful her family was for the positive response. What began as a personal tribute to her mother grew into a global expression of empathy and compassion. The couple never anticipated the momentum their story would gain, but they were grateful for the connections it created.
"My family and I have been overwhelmed with the response we've gotten from our wedding tribute to mummy. I know for a fact my mummy would have loved to give you all a big hug. She would love to let you know you are not alone and to stay strong."
Jony Macapagal
Jony explained that although their donations page has since closed, the funds raised were donated to Cancer Society New Zealand. For those interested in donating, she encourages supporting any organization that has positively impacted your family.
The couple's experience shows that even the smallest gestures of kindness can make a big difference, and love can come from the most unexpected places.If this story touched your heart, you can donate here.
Is Religion to Blame for the Division Among Us?
I once heard that in the Mormon faith, people who are not Mormon are not permitted in the temple or church. Then I became friends with several people who were Mormons, attended a memorial service, at a Mormon Church, and an aunt of mine also joined the church. I had a similar experience the Church of Scientology.
I attended a memorial service for the father of a dear friend and not only found it to be warm, caring, and exceptionally loving, but I learned that more than one of my friends were ordained ministers. I’ve always thought of myself as open minded and I considered myself to be without actual judgment or opinion about either religion. I was a little surprised at the things I learned, so I wondered what other misconceptions I had about certain religions. Religion has always been the scapegoat for the lunacy of man. It was the case in Salem Massachusetts, where people were burned alive if they were suspected of being a witch.
It was the case when racists burned (or sometimes still do) crosses to display their disdain of blacks or other non-whites, and it is the excuse given by those who make it their business to show disrespect at funerals for fallen soldiers who have served our country and had been identified as gay. In this and other similar instances, the blame was Christianity. In an age where media is more prevalent than ever, where in instances, disturbed nut cases make it hard to distinguish truth from their purpose, and especially in the wake of the cowardice and horrible shooting in Orlando, Islam is perhaps the most common blame.
But Islam is no more to blame for the division among us than Christianity, or any other religion. We have to take responsibility for what we consume. We can’t always control what the media attempts to feed us but we have a say in what we choose to consume. Much of it starts with the perfection in which our spirits walk as we enter the world. We feel anything is possible and unless given or taught a reason to do otherwise, we treat people as they treat us.
The curiosity and innocence of a child can teach us much. If we would simply retain an honest desire to learn about and from each other, and to give in to the power of questions rather than statements. I recently learned that the great poet Rumi, was not just Muslim, but specifically from, a sect known as the Sufi. He was a practitioner of the art or prayer known as the whirling dervish.
The Sufis welcomed people of all faiths, including Christianity, to learn this form of prayer and art. I had heard of Rumi, but I had never heard this information before so my most common question was, ” what else don’t I know”? What other misconceptions may we have of others and more importantly about ourselves? When we attain a childlike, sincere thirst to learn about each other, good things happen. The world becomes smaller and a better place. In the case of Rumi and the dervish, I never knew any of this, though I heard the term whirling dervish, I would have never associated it with religion. Just under 24 hours after learning of this, part of me felt like I knew all along. But we have to be open. To be open, we need to just care, much like our children teach us.