More than 1,000 Couples Marry in Libmanan Church Wedding

Camarines Sur (2 October)-More than 1,000 couples walked down the aisle in the "Kasalan sa Ngalan ng Diyos" church mass wedding held at the St. James de Apostle Parish church, Libmanan under the sponsorship of the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur here October 1-2.

The two-day affair tops the spot as the biggest mass wedding ever conducted under the Kasalang Bayan Program held at various municipalities in Camarines Sur with some 526 couples sealing their wedding vows during the first day and at least 600 on the second day.

Looking their best, the newlyweds vowed to stay together in sickness and in health in the ceremonies officiated by Msgr. Emmanuel Ricafort, Libmanan's Vicar General, assisted by nine other priests from different churches in Libmanan.

Principal sponsor Gov. LRay Villafuerte extended his warmest wishes to the couples through a message imparted through Provincial Budget Officer Fortunato Pena who held the crowd in stitches as he shared his own thoughts on the issue of commitment in marriages.  Board Member Darius Nopra, Board Member Romulo Hernandez, Municipal Councilors James Jaucian and Teng Besa together with ex-Board Member Ariel Orino and other barangay officials of Libmanan were also present to grace the occasion.

The oldest couple who tied the knot during the mass wedding were Pablo Cervantes, 72 and Teresita Guevarra, 66 of Camabugan, Libmanan. They have three children and ten grandchildren.  The pair had long been living together without the benefit of marriage for 46 years before their marriage was finally solemnized in the momentous mass wedding.

The continuing project to formalize the relationships of common law couples is among the major thrusts of Gov. LRay's leadership and is a major component of a comprehensive human resource development program of the governor in his advocacy of promoting family development as an important tool for the establishment of a vibrant and progressive community.  andujar/anntuy - MMEC