Couples tie the knot in V-Day mass weddings

Metro Manila, Philippines - A number of local government units held “kasalang bayan,” or mass weddings, to give couples the opportunity to officially seal their commitment on Friday, Feb. 14.

Dozens of couples said “I do’s” in Pinangamujan in Cebu, Sta. Barbara in Pangasinan, and the cities of Valenzuela and Parañaque in Metro Manila, among others.

Mayors officiated the wedding ceremonies and wished the best for a lifetime commitment.

In San Juan City, 59 couples attended the wedding ceremony in the city gymnasium, which was also the reception venue.

Lara Cayabyab and her partner, Moises, were the last to walk down the aisle, delayed by traffic on the way to the venue.

“Nakakatense… sobra-sobrang daming pinagdaanan na struggle, at least nakahabol at nararamdaman ko na nakakaraos paunti-unti,” Lara said.

[Translation: It was a tense moment. We faced many struggles, at least we got to walk down the aisle, and felt relieved gradually.]

Florentino Tuazon, 64, and his wife Bea, 57, also got married after years of living in. They have a child in 11th grade.

“Naikwento lang sa akin ng asawa ko na may kasalang bayan, sabi ko sige magpakasal na tayo para maging legal na,” Florentino said.

[Translation: My wife just told me there will be a mass wedding. I said, ‘Let’s do it so that our relationship would be legal.’]

“Matagal na kami gusto magpakasal, kaso po kulang sa budget nauuna ang pang-araw araw na gastusin, pagpapaaral sa anak,” Bea said.

[Translation: We really wanted to get married but we didn’t have the budget. Daily expenses and education costs were the priority.]

San Juan City Mayor Franciz Zamora said the local government shouldered the cost for the reception, wedding cake, bouquet, and a P5,000 cash gift for each couple.

Marian and Ben Priol said the mass wedding helped them save for plans to have a baby.

“Mahirap kasi pag halimbawa may baby na tapos di pa rin kami kasal,” Marian said.

[Translation: It will be difficult when we have a baby and we are still not married.]

Meanwhile, the Quezon City government held a commitment ceremony for at least 100 LGBTQIA+ couples.

Couple Dylan Solibar and Jupiter Garcia said the event was an opportunity to show support to their community, as same-sex union is still not legal in the country.

“Parang ang gaan sa pakiramdam na parang tinanggap kami ng mga gobyerno,” Solibar said.

[Translation: It’s a good feeling to be accepted by the government.]

The Quezon City government is the first to offer a “right to care card” for queer couples, allowing them to make medical decisions for their partners.

Garcia said she hopes programs such as the commitment ceremony and “right to care” card will expand, as well as pushing for rights to properties.

Partners Aki Gipala and Alfredo Esplana said other queer couples should also show their positivity and love to others, so that other LGBT members will be empowered.

“Sa other part ng Pilipinas, i-share niyo ang love story niyo, maging matapang kayo, wag kayo mahiya, wag kayo nasa isang sulok lang. Dapat ipakita ang pagmamahalan,” Gipala said.

[Translation: To those living in other parts of the Philippines, share your love stories. Be courageous. Don’t be ashamed and just be in a corner. You should declare your love for each other.]