DESPITE the dangers that the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) have wrought to the populace, it didn’t stop 150 couples from Cebu City from expressing their eternal love for one another.
The 150 couples formally tied the knot during a mass wedding organized by the Cebu City Government.
The mass wedding, the 14th organized by the City, was held at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral on Tuesday morning, Sept. 21, 2021.
But with so many couples getting married at the same time, city officials had to ensure that the mass wedding had to comply with the minimum health protocols to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Cebu City Councilor Prisca Niña Mabatid, who chairs the City Council’s committee on women and family affairs, said in order to comply with health protocols, they had to divide the 150 couples into four batches to ensure that the social distancing protocol is complied.
The first batch, composed of 32 couples, got married on Tuesday, Sept. 21.
The three other batches will be wed on Sept. 23, 27 and 30.
Four priests, namely Msgrs. Camelo Alia and Raul Go and Fathers Glenn Guanzon and Isias Gerale, concelebrated the mass.
Mabatid said aside from the venue, the City also shouldered the wedding rings for the couples and their receptions.
The couples were also given free lechon, a sack of rice and a cake courtesy of the City, she added.
Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella and Vice Mayor Michael Rama were supposed to served as godfathers for the couples but both officials were not present during the ceremony.
Labella, who was on leave, was represented by his eldest son, Edgardo II, while Rama was represented by Cebu City Councilor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros, who is also acting vice mayor.
Aside from Mabatid, also present were Cebu City Councilors Raymond Alvin Garcia and Jerry Guardo.
After the wedding, the newlyweds were taken to Fort San Pedro were the reception was held. (JKV)