MANILA, Philippines - Marawi City WAS recently the venue for another traditional Maranao wedding when a young professional and a 23-year-old would-be doctor got married.

The groom, Jaylani Dimakuta Macarambon, is a certified public accountant working as a revenue examiner for the Bureau of Internal Revenue in Marikina.

The bride, Hannah Gunting Andig Mamainte, is a fourth-year student at Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan School of Medicine in Cagayan de Oro.

Although they had known each other since they were kids, they never talked until they were voted prom king and queen. The groom, who was ahead of her by a year in school, was graduating from high school then.

?As prom king I had my first conversation with the prom queen. From then on, I always hoped she?d be the one. Hannah is undeniably pretty and smart. Most of all, she fits the true definition of a Muslim woman,? Macarambon told relatives and friends.

He said he worked hard to make a career in the hope that he would impress her parents and siblings during the long Maranao courtship period known as the ka-panganakan.

The groom is the son of Pendatun and Bailo (Dimakuta) Macarambon. Mamainte is the daughter of Dr. Dibagulun and Surhaiddah (Andig) Mamainte. The fathers of the couple are second-degree cousins.

The wedding, held in a Marawi resort overlooking the majestic Lanao Lake, was attended by members of the Maranao royalty including the Gunting clan, engineer Dave Ramos and wife Hadja Loreva Leilani Lao, lawyer Dax Macaraya and wife Farida Gunting Andig, Col. Lumala and Noraida Gunting, engineer Alibasa Gunting Andig and wife Aisa Mulok, Mr. and Ms Alladin G. Andig, Zenaida A. Domado, Datu Bryner and Rohaida Derico, Hadja Papala Gunting, Mr. and Ms Araneta Gunting, Mayor Abdilla and wife Supt. Zenaida Ampatua, Hadja Sittie Noraifa Bombona, Sahania Lucman and her sisters and brothers, Mayor and Ms Ricky Mamainte, Assemblyman Saadudin Alauya Jr., Ralima Abedin Adiong, Parida Abedin Macaraya, Assemblywoman Zenaida Bubong, Fatima Maruhom, Sinar Gandamra, Roselaine Asiz, Bedori Dagalangit, Noraida Decampong, Dr. Pasayod and Dang Macarambon, engineer Marni and Edna Bautil, Baliamen Derico and wife Hadja Faisah, Anisa Ramos, lawyer Ali Norjana Balindong, Mokiin Lucman, Oding Lucman and Anisa Balindong

For the wedding, the women wore the colorful Marawi malongs but the bride?s wedding gown was simple but elegant.

The cuisine was in the finest halal tradition.