LOVE was alive in all corners of the world on Valentine's Day Monday, February 14, 2022, and so in the Paris of Negros, Silay City, as 87 couples exchanged vows in a mass wedding held in the time of a pandemic.
On its sixth consecutive year, the annual mass wedding organized by the City Government of Silay has made into reality the dreams of these couples to be tied as husbands and wives, to be solemnized as one, and to enjoy the gift of marriage as they continue the journey towards building a family.
Mayor Mark Andrew Arthur Golez, who served as the solemnizing officer, said the local government has been coming up with a program to celebrate Valentine's Day in the city.
Through the mass wedding held at the Natalio G. Velez Sports and Cultural Center Monday, he said the couples who want to be married but cannot afford to do so are given the opportunity to say "I do" to each other in a unique and memorable wedding ceremony.
"The City Government takes care of everything," Golez said, adding that "we are bringing joy to the couples, we are strengthening the bond in them" which is also important in building a strong family in their respective homes.
With health protocols in place like social distancing and use of face masks, among others, the local government pushed through the activity amid the prevailing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
All participating couples have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, Golez said.
"There are many residents who would like to be married but cannot afford so we are giving them a chance amid the challenges brought by the pandemic," the mayor said, adding that "we have done this last year so there's no reason for us not to continue this endeavor this year."
Clad in white wedding dresses, the brides, along with their grooms in their barongand formal attire, marched toward a garden-themed venue. The couples exchanged "I dos" simultaneously. They sliced and ate the cake at the same time. All together, they shared wishes for their lovers during a wine toast.
Golez, in his message, inspired the couples by sharing a glimpse of his own love story. He urged them to always put God in the center of their relationship.
"When you put God in the center, everything will fall into place. I always pray before I go to sleep. I pray to the Holy Spirit to give me guidance, wisdom, knowledge and patience. That is why my relationship with my wife falls into place because I know that He is at the center of everything and He guides me in everything that I do," the mayor said.
Aside from the free wedding rites and reception, the newly-weds also received five kilograms of rice from the city government. They also enjoyed free application, marriage counseling, maternity services for pregnant bride, legitimation process, certified marriage certificate copies and prenuptial and wedding photos, among others.
Special awards were also given to the oldest couple, youngest couple, longest live-in couple, couple with most number of children, best in gown, best attired couple, early bird couple, and best dancing couple.
With a grateful hearts, oldest couple, Regie Demetillo, 41, and Carmen Nadura, 47, both of Barangay Rizal, thanked the City Government for an early gift this year.
The pedicab driver and a housewife have a five-year-old child. They have been wanting to get married but they lack finances.
Now that their dreams have been realized, they vowed respect and love for each other. "We promise to be strong for each other, for our family," the couple said.
Meanwhile, other City Government officials were also present during the mass wedding. They served as principal sponsors of the couples.