One of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilots who died in the recent fighter jet crash in Bukidnon was set to tie the knot with his fellow pilot just days from now.
First Lieutenant April John Dadulla was among the two airmen aboard the FA-50PH fighter jet that crashed near Mount Kalatungan on March 4. Along with him was Major Jude Salang-oy. Both pilots lost their lives after the aircraft went missing during an operation and was later found completely wrecked.
According to the PAF, the jet was part of a mission providing air support to ground troops when communication with the rest of the flight was lost minutes before reaching the target area.
PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo described both pilots as “well-trained” and said they were operating one of the Air Force’s top aircraft. She confirmed that there were “no abnormal indications” before contact was lost and that an investigation is ongoing.
Following the tragic news, details of Dadulla’s supposed wedding to First Lieutenant Alyssa Coleen Columbino surfaced online. The two, both members of the Air Force, were scheduled to marry on March 15 at Our Lady of Manaoag Church in Pangasinan.
In a heartfelt tribute, Columbino took to social media to express her grief.
“I am so proud of you, my love. You will always be in my heart. I love you and til we meet again, love,” she wrote, sharing photos of their moments together.
Vendors involved in their wedding preparations also mourned Dadulla’s passing. Wedding coordinator Nica Cariño-Ortega recalled helping the couple finalize every detail of their big day.
“His unwavering commitment to duty and his eagerness for his upcoming marriage on March 15 were evident to all who knew him,” she shared. “Our hearts are heavy with the news of the untimely passing of my valued client, Sir AJ Dadulla.”
Cariño-Ortega also posted their magazine-inspired wedding invitation and mentioned their prenup shoot held at Mapanuepe Lake in Zambales last January.
Dadulla’s legacy, friends and colleagues say, is one of service, courage, and a love story that ended far too soon.
