72 couples tie knot in Naga mass wedding

CEBU, Philippines - An 18-year-old woman was the youngest to have tied the knot in yesterday's mass wedding at the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi in Naga City, Cebu.

At least 72 couples, including Michelle Bacarro and her now husband Carlo Caday, 26, took part in the mass wedding sponsored by the local government of Naga City, in line with the activities for the city's 9th Charter Day celebration.

The couple has been live-in partners for four months. They said that the moment they heard about the free mass wedding, they immediately grabbed the opportunity to be married in the church.

Michelle said she was happy and thankful to the city government for organizing the event, which helps unmarried couples like them get the blessing of the Blessed Sacrament.

The oldest couple, on the other hand, were Benita Alferez and Apolonio Lacang-lacang, both 54 years old. They have been married by civil ceremony for the past 29 years and now have four children and eight grandchildren.

Alferez said it has been her dream to be married in the church and so she was grateful to Mayor Kristine Chiong for fulfilling her dream.

"Kaning uban bitaw dugay na nag-live-in, naa na'y mga anak, I'm just really happy that we are an instrument nga nahimong na-blessing-an na ang ilahang pagpuyo and we hope that by doing this, ang ilahang families are stronger and are more blessed," said Chiong.

The Naga City government has been organizing free mass weddings since 2011. It was the idea of former mayor Valdemar Chiong and his daughter continued the event, acknowledging the importance of marriage.

According to Mayor Chiong, it was in 2012 when the highest number of couples, at 280, availed of the free mass wedding.

"Gamay ni karon, unlike the previous years na hurot-hurot 'na sila," she said.

She added that next year, she will talk with the local registrar regarding her constituents who do not yet have a local birth certificate and will try to work out on tracking residences that have not been recorded yet.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale and Provincial Board Members Yolly Daan and Raul Bacaltos served as the sponsors of the wedding. 

Cebu first lady Jobella Davide and former mayor Val Chiong also attended the event.

Three other couples were married in a civil ceremony administered by Mayor Chiong. (FREEMAN)