JANUARY 1, 2026 — Sherra De Juan, the bride-to-be who vanished earlier this month, has returned safely to her family, with fiancé Mark Arjay Reyes confirming that their wedding plans remain intact despite her ongoing recovery.

Reyes recounted the emotional reunion in Pangasinan on December 29, where De Juan immediately apologized for missing the ceremony. 

“Um, actually po, ’yun nga po, ’yung unang yakap niya sa akin nung itong sa may Pangasinan, nag-sorry siya. Sabi niya, hindi siya na umabot [sa kasal]. So sabi ko, huwag mo isipin yun, huwag mo isipin yung kasal. Ang priority is ikaw,” he said. 

(During our first hug in Pangasinan, she apologized. She said she didn’t make it to the wedding. I told her not to think about that, the priority is her.)

Authorities who escorted the couple back to Quezon City asked if the wedding would still push through. De Juan answered yes, but Reyes stressed she should not feel pressured. 

“Tinanong siya, ‘Tuloy pa ba yun kasal?’ Sabi niya, ‘Opo, tuloy yung kasal.’ Sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Huwag ka ma-pressure. Kailangan mo muna mag-recover, kahit gaano katagal. Tapos pag naka-recover ka na, tsaka natin pagusapan,’” he added. 

(They asked her if the wedding would continue. She said yes. I told her not to feel pressured, she must recover first, no matter how long, then we’ll talk about it.)

De Juan is now resting, with her strength and appetite slowly returning. Reyes said the family’s focus is on healing as the year ends. 

“Patapos na rin ’yung taon and as a family po, we want to start anew po … gusto namin na at least kahit papaano, itong magba-bagong taon, makapag-celebrate muna po kami. Kumbaga ma-cherish namin yung pagkakataon na nakasama namin ulit si Sherra,” he said. 

(As the year ends, we want to start anew as a family … at least celebrate the New Year together and cherish the chance to be with Sherra again.)

Marriage on the line: Will love wait?

The case has sparked conversations online about resilience, mental health, and the pressures surrounding marriage. Many ask whether the couple should proceed with the wedding soon or wait until De Juan fully recovers. After all, as they say, marriage is not a walk in the park — it demands strength, stability, and readiness from both partners.

This incident also highlights the importance of mental health care and the value of reaching out for help. In moments of crisis, support from family, friends, and professionals can make all the difference.

What do you think — Should the couple take more time before tying the knot?

(Image: Mark Arjay Reyes | Facebook)