BALANGA City – Fourteen couples exchanged vows in a mass wedding held Wednesday at the covered court in Barangay San Jose here. Mayor Jose Enrique Garcia III performed the marriage rites to some pairs who have been living-in for more than eight years and already with children. One of the brides was pregnant.
“Mahal namin ang isa’t-isa kaya nagpakasal na kami,” said Nora who wedded her live-in partner Mario for eight years. She just gave birth to a child.
After the mayor administered the rites, the couples placing the wedding ring on each other’s finger and sealing the matrimony with a kiss, signed the marriage contract that was given free by city hall.
Prior to the marriage ceremony to break nervousness , the mayor asked the couples how they met and other personal questions.
“Sa pamamagitan ng kindat,” a woman answered when asked what made her say “yes” to her groom. “Siya ang pinakamaganda para sa akin,” a man said when asked to describe his bride. Garcia has initiated the free marriage program to encourage many couples to be legally married.
