Cadiz City’s Dinagsa Festival became the unforgettable backdrop for a love story.
Roland James Brown Jr., a 39-year-old U.S. Marine veteran and server at a popular restaurant in Disney Springs, Orlando, Florida, and 20-year-old Christine Pacilan Guillero from Cadiz were officially engaged during the Dinagsa Festival 2025, in front of a massive crowd at the grandstand Sunday afternoon, January 26.
Brown proposed amid the festive atmosphere.
“It didn’t take me long to know Christine was the one,” Brown said.
“She’s so caring and genuine. From the start, she introduced me to her family, and that really showed me how serious she was about us”, he said.
Even with a 12-hour time difference, Brown and Guillero kept their relationship strong with daily calls and special moments. After five months, Brown decided to visit Cadiz, planning his trip around the Dinagsa Festival – a celebration Christine had always spoken highly of.
“I didn’t know much about the festival at first, but I just wanted to see Christine,” Brown admitted. What he didn’t know was that the festival would play a much larger role in their love story, he said.
A few days before the festival, Christine’s father, Daniel Guillero, introduced Brown to Mai Escalante, brother of City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., at a local food court.
That meeting turned out to be pivotal in making Brown’s proposal a reality.
Brown had initially planned to propose during a quiet dinner with Christine, but after feeling the energy and excitement of the festival, he knew he wanted to do something special.
On the night before the festival’s main event, Brown saw Escalante on stage and asked him for a favor. “I wanted to give Christine a moment she’d never forget,” Brown said.
Escalante, moved by Brown’s sincerity, immediately helped make it happen.
On January 26, surrounded by the lively crowd at the Grandstand, Brown stepped onto the stage.
As music filled the air and cheers grew louder, he got down on one knee and proposed to Christine.
The crowd cheered as she said yes, creating a beautiful memory that was shared by the entire city.
“I can’t thank Mai Escalante enough for making it all possible,” Brown said.
“His kindness made my proposal a dream come true. And to everyone who cheered for us, we’ll never forget your support.”
Looking ahead, Brown and Guillero are excited for what the future holds.
Brown plans to return to the Dinagsa Festival every year to celebrate with Christine and the people of Cadiz.
“I love the Philippines, and Cadiz has become like a second home to me,” he said.
Reflecting on how they’ve come to this point, Brown added, “God is great. It doesn’t take long to know who you really want to be with.”
The couple’s bond goes beyond distance and culture. They’ve found something truly special in each other, and Brown is thankful for the warmth and love he’s received from Christine’s family and the people of Cadiz.
“The festival, the people, and the culture – it’s all been so welcoming,” Brown said.
“It’s an honor to have such an important moment in our lives tied to Cadiz.”
Their love story, made official under the colorful lights and festive sounds of the festival, will forever be remembered as one of their most cherished moments.*