38 couples tie knot in mass wedding

CEBU, Philippines — As a symbol of love, loyalty, and devotion, 38 couples from Cordova town, Cebu joyously said "I Do" in a unique and memorable event dubbed the "Sunset Cruise Mass Wedding" (A Love Voyage) aboard the LCT Sunriser Cordova.

The wedding, officiated by Cordova Mayor Cesar "Didoy" Suan, took place the day before Valentine’s Day. Brides and grooms, along with their relatives and sponsors, were stunned as the vessel cruised from the Roro Terminal Port of Cordova under the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), whose suspended cables turned red. The cruise then returned to the Roro terminal.

Mayor Suan advised the newlyweds to remain faithful to one another, urging husbands to remit their income to their wives and wives to take care of their husbands' needs and to never take each other for granted.

After the mayor pronounced the 38 couples as husbands and wives, they shared their first official kiss as married couples. These couples had been together for at least five years, sans marriage, and were currently living in the town.

The reception, complete with entertainment, took place on the cruise. Suan mentioned that the municipality covered the documentation (wedding requirements) and coordinated with sponsors for the buffet dinner, use of the vessel, cakes for each couple, photo booth, wines, and more. The couples covered their wedding gowns, suits, hair and makeup, "arras," and wedding rings.

"Lipay kaayo mi kay nakasal na gyud. Dugay mi nagpakasal kay gasto pud baya ning magpakasal ta. Nagpasalamat mi ni Mayor Didoy kay nakahimo gyud siya ani nga programa," said one of the brides.

Mayor Suan noted that last year, the municipality also conducted a mass wedding with 100 couples participating in an event held at one of the town’s resorts.

"Karon although 38 couples ra ni atong gikasal kay dili man ta nasulod sa barko kung daghan, this wedding is very unique, perhaps the first in the Philippines nga anha gihimo sulod sa barko. Next year, maghuna huna na sad ko unsa, basin sa eroplano na," the mayor jested.

Municipal officials, Cebu Sixth District Representative Daphne Lagon, Ako Bisaya Partylist Representative Sonny Lagon (represented by his son, Patrick), Board Member Glenn Soco, and Consolacion Councilor Alfie Ouano acted as principal sponsors. Philippine Statistics Authority-7 Regional Director Engr. Ariel Florendo also attended the event.

Lucky couples in a raffle draw received refrigerators, stand fans, television sets, and gift certificates for overnight stays in hotels and resorts that sponsored the wedding.

The wedding, which started at 4 p.m., featured four luxury cars as bridal cars and concluded around 9 PM with a fireworks display. — (FREEMAN)