ILIGAN CITY (PIA) -- A total of 94 couples here proved that love transcends all boundaries as they tied the knot and exchanged vows in a mass wedding dubbed Kasalan ng Bayan 2024.

In celebration of the 34th Civil Registration Month, the City Civil Registrar's Office, City Mayor's Office, and Office of Councilor Michelle Sweet spearheaded the mass wedding in collaboration with various sponsors, such as the 18th City Council and private sectors. The mass wedding aims to provide indigent couples with the opportunity to formalize their union without the burden of financial constraints. Some couples have lived together for years but are not officially married.

Mayor Frederick Siao officiated the ceremony and emphasized the importance of such an initiative to ensure that couples and their children receive legal recognition and protection. By formalizing marriages, the city government promotes family stability and unity that can contribute to the growth and well-being of the community, especially for the younger generation.

“Katong mga indigent couples sa atong society, dili kaayo sila ka-afford og expenses sa ilang wedding. Muingon nga ok lang magpuyo sa ta diri until such time dili na nila priority. Mao nang usa sa mga factor ngano gusto nato nga matagaan sila ug reason ngano kinahanglan sila magpakasal,” he said.

[Those indigent couples in our society cannot afford the expenses of their wedding. They say it is okay to live together until a time when marriage is no longer a priority. This is one of the reasons why we want to give them a reason why they need to get married.]

Couples from different walks of life came together to celebrate their love and commitment to each other. For many of these couples, the mass wedding offered an opportunity to solidify their relationship after years of companionship.

The fated love of Romeo and Juliet

Among the newlyweds were Romeo Lungcob and Juliet Lungcob, not just names from literature but a real-life couple who had been together for seven years. Both widowed with children from previous marriages, they emphasized the importance of securing a marriage contract for practical reasons, such as employment opportunities.

“Nalipay kaayo ko kay gikasal na mi. Nindot kaayo ang preparation karong adlawa. Pasalamat mi kay mayor nga gipalibre mi ani nga Kasalan ng Bayan,” she said.

[I am happy that we are married now. The preparation today was very nice. We are thankful to the mayor for sponsoring this community wedding.]

Meanwhile, Lungcob was elated to finally marry his beloved. He thanked the Lord for guiding them throughout their journey together. He also vowed to remain devoted to her until the end of time.

“Dako ko og kalipay nga karon nga adlaw, naa gyud libreng kasal. Dako akong pagpasalamat labi na nga nakakuha ko sa akong asawa nga buotan ug masinaboton. Magpasalamat lang pud ko sa Ginoo nga sa hangtod-hangtod mi na mag-ipon,” he said.

[I am very happy today because there's a free wedding. I am very thankful, especially because I have a kind and faithful spouse. I also want to thank the Lord because we will be together until.]

Age and distance do not matter

With a 10-year age gap and initially meeting through a dating app, Pia and Ernesto Galzote showcased that age and distance are no barriers to love. Ernesto is 69 years old from Laguna, while Pia is 59 years old from Iligan. They are both widowed with children from previous marriages. Despite living miles apart and initially connecting through Messenger, their relationship quickly blossomed. After a year of chatting, they met in person, and Ernesto proposed marriage.

Pia felt blessed to have found love again and is grateful for the opportunity to formalize their relationship through marriage.

“I’m very happy. Wala ko nag-expect nga in-ani ang mass wedding. Dako kaao ko’g pasalamat labi na kay Mayor Siao ug sa mga nag-effort ani nga event. Salamat kaayo sa tanan nga nag tabang, nag-arrange ani nga wedding. Sa akong gibati karon, deep inside sa akong heart, happy kaayo ko,” she said.

[I'm very happy. I did not expect this mass wedding event. I am very thankful, especially to Mayor Siao and to others who exerted effort for this event. Thank you very much to everyone who helped and arranged this wedding. Deep inside my heart, I am very happy.]

Ernesto, on the other hand, recalled admiring Pia from the moment he met her online and believed that their connection was destined.

“Nagpapasalamat ako kay mayor, sa pag-sponsor nila. Nagpapasalamat din ako na natupad na ang pangarap ko sa kanya na bagama’t magkalayo kami, unang tingin palang umibig na ako sa kanya. Natupad din 'yung hindi ko inaasahan. Medyo may pinagdaanan pero ngayon masaya na ako na natupad na din 'yung aming pag-iisang dibdib,” he said.

[I am grateful to the mayor for sponsoring this wedding. I am also thankful that my dream with her came true. Even though we are far apart, I fell in love with her at first sight. What I did not expect also came true. Something has happened along the way, but now I am happy that our hearts are finally united.]

Ernesto advised the younger generation to carefully consider their decisions, especially when they are young, as rushing into things might lead to breakups or separation later on. Drawing from his experiences, he emphasized the importance of maintaining balance between heart and mind by not relying solely on emotions, as it can result in frustration.

Each couple also received 25 kilos of rice from the City Mayor’s Office, 5 kilos of rice from the Office of Councilor Samuel “Tatay” Huertas, and a gift package from the Office of the City Vice Mayor. Other sponsors that provided wine, cake, donuts, and more were Councilor Simplicio 'Pisyong' Larrazabal III, Skinlogics, Dunkin Donuts, Kurt and Gab Party Rentals, Dream Cakes, Serve All Marketing Petron Gas, Iligan Medical Center College, Iligan City Eagle’s Club, Red Ribbon, Robinsons Place Iligan, Jasper Cuizon Photography, Gerald Lacandula Videography, Yankees, Councilor Marlene Young, and Councilor Maria Paz Teresa “Betsy” Zalsos.

As the couples embarked on a new chapter of their lives together, their stories served as reminders that love knows no boundaries. Regardless of age, background, or distance, their love prevailed. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)