Politicians among principal sponsors of mass wedding

Senatorial candidates as well as local bets will be part of the entourage as principal sponsors of 100 couples for today's second mass wedding program that the Cebu City government had initiated.

Senatoriables Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, Luis "Chavit" Singson and Francisco "Kiko" Pangilinan are set to join Cebu City south district Rep. Antonio Cuenco and north district Rep. Raul del Mar and all of the incumbent city councilors in the mass wedding ceremony.

However, Angela Calina of AAA Promotions who coordinated with the city government for said project told The FREEMAN that Singson and Pangilinan may just send their representatives if they will not be able to make it here.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Vice Mayor Michael Rama are not among the sponsors, but they already have their respective tasks. The mayor and his wife, Margot, will be in-charge of the cruet and ciborium during the offertory, while the vice mayor will lead the ceremonial toast.

Aside from politicians, beauty queens are expected to join the affair like Miss Cebu 2007 Loise Angelique Tan as maid of honor and her court, first runner-up Katrina Ros and second runner-up Ruby Guinto as bride's maids.

The Eucharistic celebration will be held at the Sto. Rosario Parish church at noon today with seven concelebrating priests. Fr. Miguel Fortich will serve as main celebrant.

The celebration of the Holy Mass will be followed by a Flores de Somera parade from the church to the Cebu City Sports Complex where the reception will be held.

Each couple is allowed to bring a maximum of 50 guests at the reception area.

Councilor Gerardo Carillo who heads the council committee on social services will deliver the welcome address, while Osmeña will give the inspirational message. The office of the committee on social services initiated this project.

Emmanuel Cabante and his wife, being the oldest couple wed in 2005 will deliver an inspirational message on behalf of the first batch. While couple Ireneo Querubin, 68, and Celerina, 62, will also give their messages on behalf of the 2007 batch being the eldest.

Calina said this is no ordinary mass wedding as the activities will last even until midnight. She explained that aside from the reception, there will also be a Jollibee Kiddie Time at 3:00 p.m. for the couples' kids or grandsons and granddaughters.

It was also learned that last year, Carillo's office registered 154 couples. Since they are just limiting up to 100 couples for each batch, the excess will be included in the third batch.

Another 182 have been registered lately. It is a requirement for couples to be part of the mass wedding that they should already have kids. - Gregg M. Rubio/MEEV