ILOILO CITY – Inclement weather did not stop the mass wedding of six couples from the Ati indigenous peoples (IPs) group in Tigbauan town, Iloilo province on Monday, July 17.
SIX Ati couples kiss after their wedding at Saint John of Sahagun Parish in Tigbauan town, Iloilo province. (Rexfel Trivilegio)
Fr. Arvin Largado, director of the Archdiocese of Jaro Commission on Indigenous Peoples (IPs), presided over the wedding at Saint John of Sahagun Parish.
Largado, also the church’s parochial vicar, said that the initiative of the parish is meant to impart the message of love and a stand against discrimination.
The six Ati couples who received the sacrament of marriage were Romeo and Rebecca, Miguelito Jr. and Sofia, Douglas and Mylen, Joemar and Mely, Jun and Jezza, and Jofel and Jennyfer.
The parish did not release the surnames of the six couples.
Rebecca, the chieftain of Tigbauan, said many of those living in their community had not previously received the sacrament of marriage.
The parish provided bridal cars for the six Ati couples that transported them from the church to the wedding reception.
The pre-nup photos of the six Ati couples went viral online days before the wedding.