Over 200 Quezon City couples exchange vows

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has started its annual mass wedding program in time for the month of love, February.

Mayor Joy Belmonte solemnized the wedding of more than 200 couples from the city’s Districts 3 and 4 over the weekend.

For District 3, the mass wedding or kasalang bayan themed “Konsistent na Pag-ibig (consistent love)” was held at the Quezon City Hall’s Risen Garden.

The marriages of 115 couples were solemnized by Belmonte, with District 3 Rep. Franz Pumaren also attending the ceremony.

All the couples received gift bags from the offices of Belmonte and Pumaren.

For District 4, a total of 111 couples tied the knot in a ceremony at the Amoranto Sports Complex.

Accompanying Belmonte during the event were District 4 Councilor Egay Yap, Business Permits and Licensing Department head Ma. Margarita Santos and District 4 coordinator Yolly Lacsamana as the representative of Vice Mayor Gian Sotto.

The newlyweds also received gift bags from the office of Yap.

The annual mass weddings are part of the city government’s Valentine celebration.

City hall had earlier said it would also sponsor a commitment ceremony for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and other questioning (LGBTQIA+) couples this month.

“Love has no limits. Love is universal. Love wins, always,” Belmonte said in a tweet as she announced that her office, in coordination with the QC Gender and Development Council, is organizing a commitment ceremony for the LGBTQIA+ couples.

The city government said the initiative is part of its commitment to promote a gender-fair city “where LGBT community is treated with respect and equality.”