HERMOSA, Bataan — Thirty-four couples exchanged “I do” in a mass wedding held on Valentine’s Day Tuesday in a flower-decked covered court here.
Mayor Antonio Joseph Inton officiated the marriage rites with wife lawyer Anne Lorraine Inton, sangguniang panlalawigan member Tonyboy Roman, also a lawyer, and Hermosa Sangguniang Bayan member Luz Samaniego as sponsors.
The couples exchanged vows, placed rings on each other’s fingers and after the mayor declared they were officially married, they sealed their marriage with a kiss.
The twosomes then returned to an arch made of flowers and pair by pair danced the tiktok. The mayor, Roman and Samaniego joined in the dancing.
Sharing of the cake, drinking of wine and gift-giving followed.
“Ang kasal ay isang espesyal na kontrata ng permanenting union sa pagitan ng isang lalaki at ng isang babae na alinsunod sa batas para sa pagtatatag ng pag-aasawa at buhay pamilya,” the mayor told the couples. “Ito ang pundasyon ng pamilya na isang panlipunang institusyon na kung saan ang katangian, kahihinatnan at ano pang mangyayari ay pinamamahalaan ng batas at hindi sumasailalim sa tadhana o pagtatakda ng mga partido.”
Mayor Inton reminded the couples that they will meet many challenges along the way and they both have to be faithful and patient.
“Mula sa araw na ito ay kailangan ninyong mamuhay ng magkasama, nagmamahalan at may respeto sa isa’t isa. Inyong mapapansin na ang resposibilidad kung papaano ninyo mapapanatiling maayos ang inyong pagsasama ay nasa inyong dalawa at walang sinuman ang makapagsasabi na ang inyong pagsasama ay responsibilidad lamang ng lalaki o ng babae,” the mayor said. “Kailangan ninyong pagyamanin ng sabay ang inyong pagsasama para maging matagumpay ito.”
Roman for his part said he has learned many things as a husband. “Ang na-realize ko sa marriage ay doble ang trabaho dahil tinatrabaho ito at inilalagay sa sentro ng ating buhay kasama si Jesus para sa ganoon ay tumagal tayo sa marathon na ito dahil walang katapusan ito at ito ay forever.”
“Marami akong natutunan sa pagiging may asawa. Mahirap ang may asawa at ang marriage ko ay hindi perfect at ang isang bagay na na-realize ko ay mahalaga sa mag-asawa ang maging magkaibigan, companion sa buhay,” Roman said.
Mrs. Inton admitted that even their marriage is not perfect for there is no perfect marriage. “The most important thing to sustain the relationship is to respect each other. Kapag nirespeto mo ang asawa mo ay masusustain ninyo into long run ang inyong relationship.”
