RAMON Magallon, 59, and his live-in partner of 34 years Railyn Bores, 53, had a hard life before they decided to tie the knot.
Magallon and Bores, who are residents of Barangay Cambaro, Mandaue City, told SunStar Cebu that they had been arrested for selling illegal drugs.
But after availing themselves of the plea bargaining agreement with the court, the couple shunned the unlawful life for good for the sake of their six kids and seven grandchildren.
To cement their love for one another, Magallon and Bores joined 52 other couples who who availed themselves of the Mandaue City Government’s free civil wedding held at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex on Saturday, July 23, 2022.
The mass civil wedding was organized by the Mandaue City Government as part of the city’s 53rd Charter Day, which will be celebrated on Aug. 30.
Aside from Magallon and Bores, Juniever Tee and Michelle Judilla, both 38 years old, availed themselves of the City’s free mass wedding program to get married after living together for 14 years.
Tee and Judilla, who are from Barangay Mantuyong, admitted to SunStar Cebu that they initially wanted to get married back in 2012, but the lack of financial resources and time hindered them from doing it.
The couple have four children.
All expense paid
The couples who participated in the activity were treated to an all-expense paid celebration courtesy of the City.
After the event, each of the couples also took home a sack of rice as a wedding gift.
During his speech, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes reminded the couples to love and understand each other.
“Fights are always normal,” Cortes said, adding the argument between a husband and a wife should not lead to the end of marriage.
“Remember, the first to say sorry is the bravest, the first to forgive is the strongest,” he added.
The city mayor also administered the exchange of vows of the 53 couples.