'Sendong' couple wins house and lot

MANILA, Philippines - A newly wedded couple, who are living in an evacuation center for victims of tropical storm “Sendong” in Cagayan de Oro, won the house and lot raffled off by the Pag-Ibig Fund during mass wedding rites last Tuesday, Vice President Jejomar Binay said.

Binay, chairman of Pag-Ibig and the Home Mutual Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), identified the lucky couple as Reynaldo Evangelio and Maricel Atasan who used to live in Barangay 13, but now live in an evacuation center in Cagayan de Oro.

He said the lucky couple won the house and lot package picked from Pag-ibig’s list of acquired assets which was held during Pag-ibig’s inaugural Valentine’s Day event dubbed “I Do. I Do. Araw ng Pag-Ibig.”

A total of 2,025 couples from nine venues around the country exchanged vows with Binay standing as witness to the ceremonies.

Binay witnessed 750 couples – the largest count among all locations – exchange rings in Bacolod. The nuptials in the city were solemnized by Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

“Like your love for each other, Pag-Ibig is here as a shoulder you can lean on in times of crisis,” Binay, whose message was beamed live to SM Malls in Pasay City, Baguio City, Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro, Naga City, and Davao City and in Calamba City Hall in Laguna and Kidapawan City Gymnasium for the mass weddings, said.

For her part, Pag-Ibig chief executive officer and president Darlene Marie Berberabe urged non-members of Pag-Ibig earning more than P1,000 monthly to immediately join Pag-Ibig.

“Now that you are married, it is high time for you to talk about your future, not as individuals, but as partners in life and for your family,” Berberabe said.

Pag-IBIG not just helped the couples undergo marriage rites but also used the event to promote financial literacy and greater appreciation of the concept of savings among the newlyweds.

The couples, at least one of whom is a Pag-IBIG member, included an OFW pair from Taiwan, household service providers, drivers and security guards, among others.

The wedding in the giant mall turned out to be a memorable event not just for the brides and grooms, but for their solemnizing officer as well.

Court of Appeals Associate Justice Josefina Guevara-Salonga celebrated her 70th birthday also on Valentine’s Day and spent part of her last day in office facilitating the union of 328 couples.

Among those who happily exchanged their “I do’s” were Salonga’s long-time driver, Dindo Duja, and his lovely bride Vangeline.