LAOAG CITY, Aug 29 — Forty-three couples were married in a mass wedding solemnized by Laoag City Mayor Michael Farinas at the City Auditorium.
The mass wedding was part of the A Cause for August celebration, a month-long of gift-giving by the City Government through livelihood and education programs, environmental activities and other projects intended for the children, the marginalized, and the elderly.
Chevylle Farinas, wife of the mayor and president of the Association of Barangay Captains, reminded the couples of their responsibilities and commitment toward each other.
“This is symbolic of your maturity now. You are now accepting each other and making a commitment. You should complement and complete each other,” Mrs. Farinas said.
Mayor Farinas likewise reminded the couples to keep their vows. He also challenged them to love each other.
Many of the couples have been living together for years. The oldest was a 69-year old groom while the youngest groom was 18.
For Ian dela Cuesta, 18, marrying his wife, Madeleine, is one way to show his love and commitment. “This is also a start for a happy, blessed family,” he said.
Felicitas Santiago, head of the City Population Commission Office, said the mass wedding was the local government’s way to legalize marriages.
“This promotes and upholds the sanctity of marriage and the family as a basic social unit,” Santiago said. (Carlo P. Canares)
