Franco Chan & Mara Leviste: A love wish in the fountain

On a rainy day by the Fontana de Trevi in Rome, handsome Franco Chan, in studied Italian, asked lovely Mara Leviste to be his wife after a courtship of four years.  Sharing common passions such as their strong faith in the Lord, an Atenean education, film, music, video games, vintage toys, vinyl and pop art and photography, they were each other’s best friend. 

It was not surprising that the proposal took place in a foreign city since Franco and Mara love exploring the world together.  Even while at home in Manila, they often go on personal quests.  One such quest is to find the best dishes — from the basic burger to the more exotic foreign delicacies. 

Last June 13, on a beautiful drizzly day, Fr. Adolfo Dacanay S.J. pronounced them man and wife at the Calaruega Church in Tagaytay. On this special occasion, they shared with their closest friends and relatives another one of their passions — as environmental conservation advocates, they are active in WWF, Greenpeace, PETA and Bantay Pawikan, Inc.  The latter is composed of marine conservationists that protect the pawikans (sea turtles) from poachers and hunters.  Volunteers gather and protect these eggs until they hatch and then they’re led back to the sea.  In place of the traditional giveaways, a baby pawikan was released in the name of each wedding guest.
It is Franco and Mara’s wish that each pawikan finds its way back home to our shores much like they both found a home in each other’s arms.

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