Jerieh, the Bride Who Became a Widow After Her Wedding Day
JERIEH – The bride who tragically became a widow just a day after her wedding shared her heart-wrenching story on the dating segment “EXpecially For You” of the noontime show “It’s Showtime” on May 3, 2024. She and her groom, Patrick, who were churchmates in a Christian church in San Mateo, Rizal, started their relationship when Jerieh was fifteen. Initially, she declined Patrick’s romantic interest, but eventually, they became a couple when she turned twenty.
After five years together, the couple decided to marry on October 6, 2018, coinciding with their fifth anniversary as a couple. They planned a Christian wedding in San Mateo, Rizal, without an event coordinator, handling all the preparations themselves, from flower arrangements to invitations. Patrick even designed Jerieh’s wedding gown and his coat, investing nine months in their wedding preparations. Their wedding theme was cherry blossom, reflecting their dream to visit Japan.
On their wedding day, Jerieh described the event as magical, marking her first real celebration with family and friends. However, the joy was short-lived. During the reception, Patrick felt dizzy and later collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with his organs being overwhelmed by fluids. Despite efforts to revive him, Patrick passed away the next day, October 7, 2018, after doctors attempted resuscitation three times.
In the aftermath, Jerieh discovered that Patrick had been hiding a heart condition diagnosed in 2015, unknown even to his family. The months following his death were extremely difficult for Jerieh, who struggled with sleeplessness and profound grief, necessitating psychological help. Eventually, Jerieh found a path to healing through solo travel, including a visit to Japan where they had planned to honeymoon. During her travels, she experienced moments of peace and emotional release, allowing her to grieve privately.
Jerieh’s recovery was a long process. She spent two years not working, focusing instead on traveling alone, hiking mountains, and visiting beaches. This time allowed her to process her grief and start anew.
Her story reached a turning point during her appearance on “EXpecially For You,” where she chose Carlo, a professor from Isabela, as a potential new partner. As Jerieh begins this new chapter, there is hope that she can forge a beautiful and joyful story, moving forward from the pain of her past.