A 78-year-old man in the Philippines has married an 18-year-old - who became his girlfriend when she was just 15 years old.
Retired farmer Rashed Mangacop met Halima Abdullah three years ago at a dinner party in the Cagayan province.
Rashed's nephew said the union was not an arranged marriage and the two came together "purely out of love".
The elderly man had apparently never married before nor had a lover, while he was Halima's first relationship.
Relatives claimed he quickly fell in love with the teenager, and they spent three "happy years" together as a couple before deciding to marry in an Islamic ceremony on August 25.
Rashed's nephew, Ben Mangacop, said: "The groom is my father's brother.
"They met during a gathering because the bride's father works for my uncle."
Ben added that the relationship received consent from both families, who supported the couple.
He said: "The girl was the first one to fall in love. My uncle was old but single and a bachelor so the families gave their blessings."
When asked whether the wedding was an arranged marriage, as it remains a common practice in Muslim culture in the country, Ben proudly said: "It was purely out of love.
"Halima is his first wife. They were so sweet."
Under the Philippines laws, a person younger than 21 may marry but has to secure consent from parents.
The newlyweds are reportedly living in their new home in Carmen town and it is thought they plan to start a family as soon as possible.
