As part of the 17th year cityhood
(BORONGAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
TACLOBAN CITY – About 80 couples from Borongan City tied the knot in a “Kasalang Bayan” or mass wedding presided over by Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda.
The mass wedding event was part of the city’s 17th Charter celebration on Monday (June 17).
Mayor Agda was joined by Rose Ballera, who represented Regional Director Wilma Perante of the regional office of the Philippine Statistics Authority; members of the city council headed by Vice Mayor Emman Tiu-Sonco; City Civil Registry Office chief Ma. Luisa M. Azul III, who spearheaded the mass wedding; and various city department heads.
“This Kasalang Bayan makes your union legal, a precious gift to your children, making them legitimate or what we call marital children,” Ballera said with the newlywed couples.
In his message, Mayor Agda emphasized the need for the couples to continue loving and supporting each other, especially during difficult times, and to make God the center of their relationship.
“A relationship needs to be nurtured. Don’t forget the important moments with your spouse. Be role models for your children,” he advised.
Among those married at the mass wedding was Jessica Lacorte, a secondary school teacher, and her partner, Romanian national Alexandru Mirea, who met online.
The two had been living together for about nine months.
“I am happy because my dream of getting married has come true. We rushed to get married because he only has a few weeks here… we took the opportunity of this Kasalang Bayan,” Lacorte said.
“For me, it’s okay [to get married with others], it’s actually fun seeing many happy faces. I am very thankful to the mayor for organizing this event, which reduces costs with a free venue and food,” she added.
“I am happy that we were able to catch up with our paperwork, as the last pair of the 40 couples who exchanged ‘I do’s’ at the city’s Baybay Boulevard,” Mirea shared.
He added that he had prepared a tuxedo for the wedding but due to the hot weather, he opted to wear a white polo shirt with a bow tie.
Also among the couples who tied the knot during the mass wedding were Raymart Santerva and Maricar Tabinas from Brgy. Campesao, who were assisted by an interpreter throughout the ceremony due to their hearing impairment.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
