Thirty-six couples in Pateros got married in the municipal government’s “Kasalang Bayan 2022” held on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day.
Pateros Mayor Miguel “Ike” Ponce officiated the wedding in the ceremony attended also by Vice Mayor Gerald German and councilors at the Villa Monica Resort in the municipality.
“Kayong lahat na ikakasal ay naparito ngayon upang pagtibayin ang inyong pagmamahalan sa pamamagitan ng isang kasal (All of you who are getting married came here today to strengthen your love through marriage),” said Ponce.
Some of the couples have been living together for more than 10 years. One couple said they have been together for 30 years before deciding to get married.
“You have been in your relationship for so long and you can already live like that , you have chosen to submit yourselves to God and be here in the ‘Kasalang Bayan,’’ said Ponce.
Ponce said before he became mayor, he worked as an annulment lawyer for 28 years.
“But I said after my retirement as a lawyer, I no longer want to annul any marriage because I saw the importance of marriage in couples and families. There is no marriage that is easy. All those who get married go through tests,” he said.
“Congratulations to all of you. From this day, you are officially ‘mister’ and ‘misis,’ I congratulate you and we pray to God to continue to make your love grow towards a beautiful, meaningful, and long-lasting relationship of marriage.”
During the ceremony, the couples said their marriage vows, exchanged rings, and kissed. Each couple was also given a wedding cake.