158 couples marry in sunrise mass beach wedding in Borongan City


ONE-hundred fifty-eight couples exchanged 'I do' in a mass wedding in Borongan City Sunday, June 19.
TACLOBAN CITY – One-hundred fifty-eight couples walked down Baybay Beach to exchange “I do” in the first-ever sunrise mass beach wedding organized by the city government of Borongan Sunday, June 19.

The free mass wedding was made possible through the collaboration of the Office of the City Registry, Office of City Population, and Office of City Social Welfare and Development.

The event is part of the 15th Charter Month Celebration activities here.

“From all of us at Borongan LGU, we congratulate the newlyweds on this new chapter of their lives together. We hope that they will spend the rest of their days through thick and thin,” city Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan said as he officiated the one-of-a-kind wedding ceremony.

“I encourage you also to get married in the church," Agda said in his message to the newlywed couples.

The city government hosts the annual “Kasalang Bayan” for live-in couples to regularize their union and provide their children equal access to various legal benefits.

Jobert Diesta, 22, of Barangay Amantacop here, the youngest of the newlyweds, expressed gratitude that he is finally able to wed his wife Gina. "We are very grateful for this time because I am able to show my love for Gina," he said.

Romeo Agno, 66, the oldest of the newlyweds, also expressed gratitude that after 35 years, he will be able to give his family name to his children. "We thank the City Government that we are one of those given this privilege."