Do you live in the city? Because we were told that we could also marry in My wife's barangay and also if we had a valid marriage licence we could then marry anywhere in the Philippines with that. You don't happen to know a mayor do you? Because they can also perform a wedding ceremony. Also if you can manage to contact a judge directly, I'm sure they will do it, because I'm sure that whatever the local rules are, they won't turn down the chance to marry a foriegner and earn themselves a few thousand pesos. I would also contact your friends lawyer again and tell them how desperate you are to marry on this particular day and ask, "How Much Will It Cost". In my experience anything you want can be bought in the Philippines........ for a price.
Iain.