Love Story from Siargao to Spain: Nina Aquino and Pablo Argüelles Wedding

Is it destiny, is it the algorithm, or both? This love story that began with a simple Instagram “like” and unfolded into a wedding that celebrated shared history, heritage, and heart: Nina Aquino and Pablo Argüelles remind us that the most beautiful romances often begin when we least expect them—and sometimes, from opposite sides of the world.

Our main characters are Nina, a Filipino-American based in Cebu at the time, and Pablo, a Spaniard living in Manila. Like the rest of the world, they were both confined during the 2020 pandemic. No chance for romance, so they thought. She was dreaming about the island that made her move to the Philippines—Siargao. Paolo, similarly feeling a sense of wanderlust and missing his days of freedom and sunshine, posted a photo from the island. And just like that, the Instagram algorithm whispered fate into motion.

It started with a ‘hey,’” Nina recalls, and turned into 10 hours a day of talking on Instagram, WhatsApp, and FaceTime for two months. 

And just when it seemed like flights between Cebu and Manila were finally going to resume, Pablo suggested that Nina come to Manila to stay with him for a week.

“While it seemed crazy at that time to move in with someone we didn’t even know, we proved that sometimes, love requires you to take some crazy chances,” the couple shared with Metro. “One week became one month, and a month became four years…”

The pandemic taught them to slow down and appreciate personal connections and the people who made their lives better, explains Pablo and Nina. Like many people of their generation, life was hectic before and after then pandemic, forcing them to slow down and get to know each other. 

Interestingly enough, on a weekend trip to Siargao, they were once again on lockdown, but this time—they were together, and in paradise. They were with a group of friends on the island, and for them, it was like living a dream.

“We were falling in love with Siargao, but what we didn’t realize was that we were falling even more in love with each other,” they said. After three years together, they moved to Siargao from Manila in January 2024, where we planned to build a life filled with love, children, and grandchildren. “We planned on combining our last names to Aquino y Argüelles, paying homage to both our families.

The two now run Bravo Luxury Travel, a company specializing in tailor-made trips for families and couples who want to explore Europe, particularly Spain, Italy, and Portugal. “We’re passionate about traveling to off-the-beaten-path destinations, savoring diverse gastronomy, and immersing ourselves in different cultures,” they explained. They split their time between exploring hidden culinary gems and planting herbs in their Siargao garden. Their shared passions are rooted in discovery, intimacy, and slowing down—values shaped by the pandemic that brought them together.

On July 6, 2024, Nina and Pablo wed in a place steeped in significance: Basílica de Santa María la Real de Covadonga in Asturias, Spain—the sacred site of the first Christian victory that began the Spanish Reconquista. It was a fitting venue for a wedding that honored both legacy and love. “As we drove to the basilica, villagers along the route shouted ‘¡Viva la Novia!’ It was surreal,” Nina shares with wonder.

The ceremony was filled with tradition. The bride, radiant in a fairytale gown by Sonthai Gi—a Vera Wang alum and also an Asian American—walked down the long aisle to “Ave Maria,” a heartfelt tribute to the Virgin of Covadonga. “I wore jewelry gifted to me by my grandfather who couldn’t attend. It felt like he was there with me,” she says. Pinned to her bouquet were symbols of Asturias: the Virgin’s medallion and the Cross of Covadonga.

As the couple emerged from the basilica, they were met with the thundering welcome of 25 bagpipers, playing both the Himno de Asturias and “God Bless America.” It was a soundscape that echoed the union of two cultures, two continents, and two people meant for each other.

The reception at Puebloastur Eco Resort & Spa was an idyllic continuation. Set against the Picos de Europa with only the faint sound of cowbells and sheep in the distance, the evening unfolded with three jamón cortadoras, wines thoughtfully selected by the couple, and speeches in English, Spanish, and Tagalog—including one from Nina’s father that moved everyone to tears.

Their welcome party was held beneath the Roman Bridge in Cangas de Onís, Nina shares. It was once the first capital of modern Spain, and thus felt symbolic for the couple to start their marriage in a place where so many beginnings have taken root.

Even the small details reflected their thoughtfulness: handwritten notes for new moms in attendance, and framed Instagram memories gifted to newly engaged couples in line with Spanish tradition. It was those tiny gestures that made everything more meaningful.

As night fell, the skies lit up in sync to Coldplay’s “A Sky Full of Stars”, a nod to the serendipitous spark that first connected them online.

Nina’s red Filipiniana at the welcome party—designed by Cecilia of Cecilia Bridal Boutique—was a showstopper, a bold homage to her Chinese-Filipino heritage. Everyone else wore white, and in the middle of it was Nina in empowering red. Her hair, styled in a bun by La Mona Riza, revealed the delicate beadwork of her gown and allowed for quick outfit changes during the after-party.

What made their wedding unique wasn’t just its grandeur, but its heart. The two planned everything themselves—from designing the invites to curating every moment. It was their labor of love. 

So what advice does she have for other brides?

“Enjoy the day. You can plan your wedding to the detail, but at the end of the day, something will go wrong and you can’t control everything,” says Nina.

And what a presence it was—250 guests, five continents, and two soulmates, forever changed by the algorithm and a chance taken during uncertain times.

All the details:

Number of guests: 250

Ceremony venue: Basílica de Santa María la Real de Covadonga

Reception venue: Puebloastur Eco Resort & Spa

Date of wedding: Jul 6, 2024

Wedding coordinator: Aldara - Bodas in my Teepee (@bodasinmyteepee)

Photographer: Muel de Dios (@mueldedios)

Videographer: Eleven Moments (@elevenmoments)

Caterer: Puebloastur Eco Resort & Spa

Invitations/Printers: Designed by the bride

Designer bridal gown: Sonthai Gi - Bridal Gown Studio ( @bridal_gown_studio ) 

Designer Welcome Party Filipiniana: Cecil Ng (@cecilngatelier)

Florist: Leymar Floristas ( @leymarfloristas )

Entertainer/s: DJ Nano Gumiel

Fireworks: Pirotecnia Pablo

Set designer/stylist if applicable: -

Jewelry designer if applicable: 

Acoustic Band: Bride Martini (@bridemartini)

Officiator: Don Juan Luis García Rodríguez 

Giveaways: Capiz shell coasters + Vermouth bottle from Pablo´s family Restaurant Cafe Central Gijón 

Cigars: Tabacalera Incorporada 

Hair and makeup artist: La Mona Riza (@lamonariza)

Bridal shoe designer: Badgley Mischka

Gift registry: We asked for cash contributions to help fund the construction of our dream home in Siargao

Wedding hashtag: #aquinoyarguelles