MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – It may be purely symbolic, but the Philippines has finally recorded its first-ever same-sex marriage. And how appropriate that it was between two celebrities – broadcast journalist Atom Araullo and famed lawyer Tony La Viña.

The two exchanged vows at the Quezon City Hall with no less than gay-friendly Mayor Joy Belmonte officiating.

The marriage will surely be challenged all the way up to the Supreme Court, but it could go down in history as the catalyst for the legalization of gay marriage in the Philippines.

As expected, the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines will join in a class-action suit to invalidate the marriage.