60 couples exchange vows in mass wedding

“Huwag tatakbo sa problema. Kung makatanggap ng blessings at makakaluwag, tumulong sa kapwa at may kapalit ‘yan ng maraming beses,”

ABUCAY, Bataan – Some 60 couples exchanged vows in a mass wedding held Wednesday afternoon at a new building within the public market compound in this town.

There were sudden thunderstorms and heavy rains but municipal Mayor Ana Santiago calmed the couples down and told them to pray until the rains stopped. “Huwag tatakbo sa problema. Kung makatanggap ng blessings at makakaluwag, tumulong sa kapwa at may kapalit ‘yan ng maraming beses,” the mayor said.

Santiago told the brides and grooms not to forget their parents and ninong and ninang, to plan for their life and to take good care of their children. “Mahalaga ang communication, ang unawaan, huwag kalilimutan ‘yan,” she said.

The mayor advised the couples to afterwards seek church wedding for blessings to continue. Rufino Reyes, 72 and Rodelia Valientos, 62, have been living together without the benefit of marriage for 27 years. They have four children and 15 grandchildren. “Ngayon lang naisipan,” the old man answered while his newly-wedded wife sweetly smiled when asked why they sought marriage only this time. They are the oldest among the new husbands and wives.

Carlos Camacho, 19 and Irene Molina, 18, wanted to have two children. The groom is a tin smith while the bride a repacker in a factory. They are the youngest couple in the mass wedding.