Fifty Victoriasanon couples exchanged vows during the 27th Kadalag-an Festival mass wedding held at the Don Alejandro Acuña Yap Quiña Arts and Cultural Center March 21.
Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, the solemnizing officer, led the ceremony and shared heartfelt words to the couples.
“So as our couples today hoped for the best sa ilang pag-asawahay, we too are hoping that this day will be a beautiful beginning, and no other endings but only when the other is to take the journey of the afterlife,” he told the couples.
He encouraged them to nurture their love and commitment through the years.
As a wedding gift from the city government, all 50 couples each received a butane set, while the mayor gave a surprise gift of a sack of rice to each couple as a token of support for their new journey as husbands and wives.
Special recognitions, meanwhile, were given to the oldest couple, Joanne Llanera Cardinal (56) and Maria Ruby Alvarez Subebe (56), as well as the youngest pair, Andrei Secano (23) and Ma. Rhea Jane Patriarca (18), the city said in a press release March 23.
Meiko Diacono Jamelano (44) and Nikki Lou Kyamco Javido (38), on the other hand, were recognized as the couple with the most children, having eight, and having lived together for 15 years before tying the knot.
Special recognition was also given to couple Jeffrey Pasuit Pilaren (38) and Jenelyn Estrosas Rico (45), who have been living together the longest, at 19 years with five children.
Mayor Javi awarded a cash prize of P10,000 each to the youngest couple, the oldest couple, the couple with the most children, and the couple who had been living together the longest before marriage.
Meanwhile, Arnel Paran and Lyka Joy Sumbe, the best dressed couple, also received P10,000, and led in the ceremonial cake slicing, dove release, wine toast, bouquet toss, and garter toss.
Adding to the romantic atmosphere, Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 1 grand champion and Victoriasanon pride Noven Belleza serenaded the newlyweds.
Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III and councilors Francis Frederick Palanca, Teresita Bartolome, Deilen Hofileña, Hermie Millan, Dino Jose Maria Acuña, Warlito Undar, Dexter Senido, Danilo De Asis Jr., Joji Larraga, Audie Malaga, and ABC president Eric Alcobilla stood as principal sponsors, while SK Federation president Trisha Majan served as candle bearer.
The 27th Kadalag-an Festival mass wedding was spearheaded by the Office of the City Civil Registrar, led by Julie Ann Roa, reaffirming the city’s commitment to celebrating love and unity among Victoriasanons. ||
