Mt. Pulag Proposal Goes Viral After Stranger Captures Moment
A stranger's candid photo of a sunrise proposal atop Mt. Pulag went viral with 131,000 likes before the couple even knew they were trending. Nicole Coprada and John Rey Zabella's fifth anniversary hike turned into an unexpected internet sensation. #
Nicole Coprada thought her boyfriend was going for a hug as the sun rose over Mt. Pulag's sea of clouds. Instead, John Rey Zabella dropped to one knee.
The couple had hiked to the summit alone to celebrate their fifth anniversary, no photographer or fanfare planned. But a fellow hiker named Rachelle Ann Cuales captured the moment and posted it to Facebook, hoping the internet could reunite her with the mystery couple.
It worked spectacularly. The post exploded to over 131,000 likes and thousands of shares before Nicole and John Rey even had a chance to announce their engagement themselves.
"I thought he was going to hug me, but then he was kneeling," Nicole said, laughing. "It took a while for it to sink in."
The couple's love story began in 2021 when Nicole followed John Rey on Instagram. They bonded over anime and outdoor adventures, talking online for about a month before meeting in person despite living in different parts of Quezon Province.
"We were still students then. I was the first to have money, so I went to visit him," Nicole shared. Their relationship grew through shared hikes and travels, eventually bringing both to Metro Manila for work.
John Rey, a criminology graduate now training with the Bureau of Fire Protection, had been planning the proposal for years and already knew Nicole's ring size. When Nicole suggested hiking Mt. Pulag for their anniversary, he saw his perfect moment and asked her parents for their blessing.
Sunny's Take
Friends started sending the couple the viral photo before they could share their own announcement, even though their faces weren't clearly visible in the shot. The unexpected internet fame surprised them, but they're grateful a stranger preserved their mountain milestone.
The couple plans an intimate wedding in 2027 after John Rey completes his fire protection training. Their first international trip to Taiwan is already in the works, with plenty more hikes and adventures on the horizon.
Sometimes the best moments happen when you're not looking for them, captured by the kindness of strangers who believe in love.
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Based on reporting by Google: proposal viral
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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