19 couples tie the knot on Valentine’s Day in Masantol

MASANTOL - Love is really in the air as 19 couples from different barangays here sealed their life-long relationships in the mass wedding ceremony sponsored by Mayor Danilo S. Guintu in time for the Valentine’s Day.

The “Kasalang Bayan sa Araw ng mga Puso,” which was held at the Municipal Training Center on February 14, aimed at assisting couples whose dream is to have a “law-bound and God-blessed” relationship but cannot afford the wedding expenses.

Guintu, who also officiated the wedding ceremony, sponsored the wedding rings, food and grocery packages for the newly-wed couples, as well as assisted them in the issuance of marriage licenses and contracts.

In his congratulatory speech, Guintu wished the couples everlasting love, patience, understanding and forgiveness for their partners, which he described as “the key to an everlasting relationship.”

“Kung ano iyong pinangako natin sa batas ng tao at ng Diyos ay dapat natin gampanan. Ang kasal ay hindi biro, at hindi ginagawa dahil gusto natin. Gabayan ninyo ang isa’t isa at lalong-lalo na ang inyong mga pamilya dahil kayo ang magiging sandigan nila,” he told the couples.

Guintu also stressed that he continues to sponsor free wedding ceremonies in his town to show the essence of weddings in every relationship and in a family-oriented community like Masantol.

He noted that in this time when most people prefer casual relationships, most of Masantoleños still believe in the importance of weddings which is evident in the weekly ceremonies he officiated in and out of his office, as well as the almost daily church weddings in town.

“Sa panahon na uso na ang live-in, bilib po ako sa inyong kagustuhan na ipagmalaki ang inyong pagmamahal sa mata ng tao at mata ng Diyos. Sana po ay hindi sa kasal natatapos ang inyong matamis na pagmamahalan, kundi ito ay maging simula lamang,” Guintu said.

The couples, meanwhile, expressed their gratitude to Guintu for his generosity to share his time and resources to them and for making their Valentine’s Day extra special.