A wedding in Mindanao, Philippines, took an unexpected turn when a guest threw salt at the groom, allegedly breaking a love spell cast by the bride. Witnesses claimed the groom seemed to “wake up” in confusion, sparking accusations that he had been under the influence of gayuma, a local folk magic believed to manipulate emotions.
The bride, Riri Montillano, was arrested at the venue after guests and wedding organizers raised suspicions about her unusual behavior. The incident has since gone viral, with social media users debating whether supernatural forces were at play or if the groom simply had last-minute doubts.
Suspicious Signs Before the Wedding
Montillano had reportedly booked the wedding venue, suppliers, and a hotel stay without making any payments. Organizers grew wary when she insisted that her parents, staying in another hotel, would settle the bills upon arrival.
Witnesses also noted that Montillano never let the groom out of her sight. Instead of the usual pre-wedding excitement, he remained disturbingly silent and disengaged. When pressed for payment, Montillano claimed someone was trying to sabotage her big day, causing the organizers to alert local police.
As the ceremony drew closer, another red flag emerged—there were no guests from the bride’s side. Shortly before the wedding began, a group claiming to be the groom’s friends arrived, setting the stage for an unexpected twist.
Salt-Tossing Guest Triggers Groom’s ‘Awakening’
As the couple walked toward the altar, one of the groom’s friends’ wives suddenly threw a handful of salt at the groom. Witnesses described an immediate change—he looked around in confusion and asked where he was, seemingly unaware that he was about to get married.
Chaos erupted as guests accused Montillano of using gayuma to manipulate the groom into marriage. Police officers stationed at the venue quickly arrested her on suspicion of fraud and coercion.
Was It Witchcraft or a Wedding Gone Wrong?
The shocking turn of events has ignited heated discussions online. Some believe gayuma was at play, pointing out that Filipino folklore warns of spells that can be undone by salt. Others argue that the groom may have simply felt pressured into the marriage and panicked at the last moment.
Montillano, who claimed she was pregnant with twins, dismissed the accusations, saying love spells would not wear off from just a handful of salt. Adding further intrigue, the woman who threw the salt was reportedly the best friend of the groom’s ex—the mother of his child—leading to speculation about hidden motives.
While the truth remains uncertain, this wedding will be remembered as one of the most dramatic in recent history.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.