FILLED with love and gratitude, Joseph Jumawan finally tied the knot with Leonila Bete, his partner for 50 years.
Despite being together for five decades, it was only during the mass wedding program of the City Government of Cagayan de Oro in Barangay Puntod on September 29 that Jumawan and Bete was able to be wed.
Jumawan even cited that he didn't think that he would be able to get married at this age, especially since he was electrocuted the day before mass wedding, which almost made him not attend the event.
"Mas maayo gyud magpakasal. Gani, wa ko nagtuo nga moabot pa ko sa inyong atubangan karon," Jumawan said.
According to Jumawan and Bete, they are the parents of six and have 22 grandchildren.
Jumawan and Bete were just one of the 66 couples who got married during the free "Kasalan ng Bayan" organized by the City Government of Cagayan de Oro on September 29, 2022 in Barangay Puntod.
As the couple who have been together the longest, they were given a P10,000 congratulatory gift from City Mayor Rolando "Klarex" Uy.
Apart from that, they received a wedding cake, a whole lechon, a wedding gift and wine, all of which were also given to all the couples who participated in the mass wedding.
All 66 couples also received 25 kilos of rice from the Liga ng mga Barangay president Alam Lim.
Acting as principal sponsors were City Councilors Girlie Balaba, Atty. Jose Pepe Abbu Jr., Aga Suan ug Ian Achas; Punong Barangay Rexie Tinampay of Barangay Puntod.
Kasalan ng Batan is one of the highlight services offered under the "Klarex nga Serbisyo sa Baryo" program of the City Government.