The local government of Marikina fulfilled the dream of 53 couples in the city to exchange their vows and declare their love for each other in a marriage ceremony in front of their loved ones on Friday, Dec. 6. 

Mayor Marcelino ‘Marcy’ Teodoro officiates the wedding of 53 couples at the Marikina Convention Center on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. Marikina First District Representative Marjorie Ann ‘Maan’ Teodoro was the principal sponsor of the mass wedding. (MARIKINA LGU PHOTOS) 

Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro officiated the wedding of the couples, with the theme “Matibay na tambalan, matatag na tahanan,” at the Marikina Convention Center.

“Kapag tinitingnan ko 'yung paligid natin, nakikita ko 'yung araw na ito ay hinintay, pinaghandaan, pinangako sa isa’t isa. Balot nang kaligayahan ang lugar na ito. Hindi lang dahil tayo ay natitipon dito, ang araw na ito ay katangi-tangi, naiiba. Marami sa atin kasama na sa buhay, nabubuhay bilang mag-asawa na (When I look around us, I see that this day is one you've waited for, prepared for, and promised to each other. This place is filled with happiness. Not just because we are gathered here, but because this day is special, unique. Many of us are already part of each other's lives, living together as a couple),” the mayor said.

Teodoro stated that some of the couples are already living together and have children, yet still dreaming to declare their love for each other in a marriage ceremony.

“Ang ilan sa atin ay may bunga na ng pagmamahal ngunit hindi pa rin mawawala 'yung pagnanais na dumating ang araw na ito na kung saan ang bawat isa ay kanyang bibigkasin ang pangako ng pagmamahal sa isa’t isa (Some of us already have the fruit of love, yet the desire remains for the day when each one will speak the vow of love for each other),” he said.

“Ito 'yung araw na iyon, ito 'yung sandali na hinihintay, naiisip sa maraming pagkakataon. Sa pagkakataong ito ay pagtitibayin natin ang pag-iisang dibdib ng bawat isang naririto ngayon, at sa harapan ng ating mga saksıng naririto, sa piling ng ating mga kaibigan, kapiling ng ating pamilya, at iba pang mahal sa buhay (This is the day, this is the moment we've been waiting for and thinking about in many instances. In this moment, we will strengthen the union of each person here today, and in the presence of our witnesses, surrounded by our friends, family, and other loved ones),” Teodoro added.

Marikina First District Rep. Marjorie Ann “Maan” Teodoro also attended the event as the principal sponsor of the mass wedding.

“Congratulations po sa ating mga bagong kasal! Nakakatuwa po kasi iba-iba po, mayroong matagal nang nagsasama, mayroong nagsasama nang hindi pa ganoon katagalan… Pero ang mahalaga po ay napagtibay na ninyo ang inyong pagmamahalan sa araw na ito (Congratulations to our newlyweds! It’s heartwarming because there are different stories -- some have been together for a long time, while others have not been together as long… But what matters is that you have solidified your love for each other today),” she said.

Also present during the event were representatives of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Under the Local Government Code of 1991, mayors have the power to solemnize marriages as part of their local functions.

Such power is often used during mass weddings, particularly to help couples who may face financial constraints or other barriers to formalizing their union. The practice aligns with the government’s broader efforts to promote legal and social stability within communities.