Forty-six couples in E. B. Magalona, Negros Occidental yesterday exchanged “I do’s” in the annual Valentine mass wedding officiated by Mayor Marvin Malacon at the public plaza.
This is the eighth Valentine mass wedding, where Malacon served as solemnizing officer since he became mayor in 2016.
“To our newlyweds here, it is God’s will that you have met each other. It is also God’s will that you are here today to become husband and wife in the Holy Sacrament of Marriage. May the Lord bless your marriage as you commit to a lifelong partnership grounded in love, trust, respect, understanding, and commitment,” Malacon told the couples.
He also underscored the role of the principal sponsors, which is primarily to give guidance to the couple.
Vice Mayor Eric Matulac and the eight members of the Municipal Council delivered their respective messages to the couples.
Local Civil Registrar’s Office head Mercedes Recla II said this year’s mass wedding is the 23rd held in E. B. Magalona.
The conduct of mass wedding is part of the activities for the month of February as Civil Registration Month.
This year’s theme is “Civil Registration and Vital Statistics: The Future of Seamless Services.”
Antonietta Gador, statistical specialist of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-Negros Occidental, served as the guest of honor and speaker, representing chief statistical specialist John Campomanes.
The municipal government gifted all the 46 couples with 25 kilos of rice each as well as tokens comprised of a framed prenuptial photo and coffee mug.
The special awardees received a complete set of two-burner gas stove each.
The oldest couple award went to Protacio Jawili, 54, and Meialyn Catigan, 47, of Barangay San Isidro.
The early birds were Protacio Jawili and Meialyn Catigan, also of Barangay San Isidro, who arrived at the venue at 12:06 a.m.
The best in wedding attire went to Alexis Delfin of Barangay Damgo and Karen Evangelista of Barangay Tuburan.
Shown in the ceremony was a pre-nuptial video of the 46 couples who attended an orientation on solid waste management and planted 300 mangrove propagules at the Tomongtong Mangrove Eco-Trail last Jan. 30 to symbolize their shared commitment and responsibility to protect the environment. ||
