CEBU, Philippines - Thirty-eight couples will be the beneficiaries of a mass wedding sponsored by Jose “Dodong†R. Gullas and his wife Nena Gullas to be held this Friday, February 1, 3 p.m. at the St. Therese Parish Church in Lahug.
Gullas said he was motivated to hold a mass wedding after learning that a huge number of Roman Catholics in the Philippines live together as a couple but choose to put off wedding rites because of the expenses. He said the event will also serve as his birthday offering, in lieu of holding a grand celebration for himself this February 1.
“We pass into this world only once. In the remaining moments of my life, I want to do something for our less fortunate brothers and sisters. At the end of the day, what will make me happy is the thought that these deserving couples finally have the blessings of the Lord,â€said Gullas.
Gullas said that all government and church requirement fees were shouldered for the couples.
Top Cebuano make-up artist Jonas Borces of the Make Up Artists Club of Cebu will take care of the hair and make-up, while the wedding attire will be provided by Gullas’ friends.
A wedding reception, to be hosted by Jude Bacalso, will follow at the Gullas Medical Center in Banilad, Mandaue City.More than 200 inquiries from interested couples were made after the announcement of Gullas’ mass wedding last December.
The qualified couples were whittled down to 38 after three stages of screening which were made up of an interview, submission of requirements and pre-wedding seminars.
Gullas said that as long as he is able to, he plans to sponsor a mass wedding annually. He is targeting 80 couples as beneficiaries for next year.
On Saturday, Feb. 2, Gullas and his wife Nena will also sponsor confirmation rites at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral for twenty-five elementary students, 40 high school students and eight faculty members from the University of the Visayas. — (FREEMAN)