Engaged couple die in motorcycle crash

CEBU, Philippines — A couple who had been preparing for their September wedding died after the motorcycle they were riding crashed along Cebu Tops Road near Skyline Garden Columbary in Barangay Busay, Cebu City, past 9:35 p.m. Tuesday, August 18.

The victims were identified as John Mike Reynes Boyonas, 27, and his fiancée, Rose Ann Mae Ato Hermoso, 25. Both were rushed to a private hospital in Cebu City, but were declared dead on arrival.

The crash happened as Boyonas was taking Hermoso home after picking her up from work at Tops, where she worked as a sales manager.

Police said the couple was traveling toward the Cebu Transcentral Highway and negotiating a curved, downhill portion of Cebu Tops Road when Boyonas reportedly tried to avoid an oncoming vehicle.

The motorcycle veered toward the side of the road before hitting a concrete post, throwing both riders off the vehicle.

Boyonas was a resident of Pungtod Alaska, Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City, while Hermoso was from Roosevelt, Barangay Busay.

Based on the police report, the couple had been together for more than a year. Boyonas proposed to Hermoso in April this year, and they were set to get married in September.

The wedding they had been preparing for, however, will no longer take place following the fatal crash.

Police are continuing their investigation into the incident. — /MRM (FREEMAN)