by Lorelyn Centino
Newlywed couples had their first dance as husband and wife at Rose Garden, Burnham park during the "I do. I do. Araw ng pag-ibig."
BAGUIO CITY - A total of 50 couples tied knots on Valentine's Day as Pag-IBIG Home Development Mutual Fund with the City Government held the "I do. I do. Araw ng pag-ibig" mass wedding at the Rose Garden, Burnham Park, February 14.
This event is the North Luzon leg of the nationwide mass wedding sponsored by Pag-IBIG Fund with exactly 1000 couples simultaneously being wed in different parts of the country on Valentine's.
The ceremony started off with a parade of the grooms and brides around Burnham Park. Mayor Benjamin Magalong presided the wedding rites, proclaiming the couples "newlyweds" as they succeedingly exchange vows and kisses.
Acmad Rizaldy Moti, Chief Executive Officer of Pag-IBIG Fund, extended his wishes and greetings to the newlyweds through a video message and granted them the corporation's support to their future married lives through the housing and loan services they may avail.
"As we celebrate your wedding today, please do not forget your promise and commitment to love each other, and as you start your life together and build your family, please do not forget our promise, that Pag-IBIG Fund will provide you our full committed service," Moti said.
Sec. Eduardo Del Rosario of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development seconded by assuring that the corporation is on-call for the newlyweds comes a time of financial crisis.
"Higit sa lahat, katulong niyo kami sa pagtupad ng inyong pangarap na magkaroon ng sariling tahanan," Del Rosario stressed. "Makakaasa kayo na kung paano naging daan ang pag-IBIG upang kayo ay maikasal ngayon, kami din ay magiging daan upang mapabuti ang inyong kinabukasan," he added.
[Most importantly, we are here to help you fulfill your dream of having your own home. Del Rosario stressed. Rest assured that we will be a bridge to better your future just like how Pag-IBIG became a bridge to make your wedding possible today, he added]
Eric Doctolero who was among the 50 grooms in the event expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be wedded with his partner, Ma. Michelle Doctolero.
"Magandang opportunity kasi sagot nila lahat, free of charge po lahat," Doctolero said.
[It's a good opportunity because they sponsored all the expenses, everything was free of charge, Doctolero said.]
After one and a half years of being together with his partner, Doctolero said that he had mixed emotions as they went through the wedding.
Mayor Magalong sent his blessings to the newlywed couples.
Congressman Mark Go also graced the ceremony and underscored his opposition to the passing of the bill on absolute divorce in the country.
He stressed on the importance of valuing the sanctity of marriage to avoid any legal separation among couples and urged the public that all efforts done to legalized divorce be opposed.
Go advised the newlyweds that the best way to show disagreement on divorce is to be role models of commitment in a relationship.
"Make things happen and I would like to see that all of you will succeed in your married life not only in terms of rearing your children but also in your relationship as husband and wife," he concludes.
Traditional wedding rituals were observed in the reception primarily the releasing of white doves, the couple's first dance, cutting of wedding cake, and drinking of wine with a grand toast offered by councilor Joel Alangsab as a symbol of the public's acknowledgment for the newly wedded members of the community.
Gifts for the newlyweds were given through an on site-raffle. A pangkabuhayan package worth 20,000 was given to the winning husband and wife, who were to choose how to use the amount to start a business. Framed photos and video CDs were also given.
Edited by Dayanella Jucutan
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