Fewer couples marry on Valentine's Day

CEBU, Philippines - The global financial crisis may have not only just affected the economy, but even the day of the hearts —Valentine’s Day, a day many couples believe is a perfect date to get married.

A couple who have been on for six years, Arnold and Tina, said that they have always wanted to marry on the day of the hearts and they have planned this for two years now. But since Arnold was laid off last November they will not be pushing through with their wedding today.

“Mag-save mi para Feb. 14 of next year nalang mi magpakasal,” said Arnold.

February 14 is a favorite day for couples to get married as the day is a celebration of love and devotion.

But this year, the financial instability may have affected plans of couples since in most churches, there are no scheduled wedding for this day compared to previous years.

Churches in the city revealed that there has been a decrease in the number of scheduled weddings for Valentine’s Day.

Churches like the Our Lady of Sacred Heart Parish, San Nicolas Parish, St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish, Sacred Heart Parish, Redemptorist Church and the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral said that they have no scheduled wedding for today.

Staff from the Sacred Heart Parish said that they had one couple who said that they wanted to get married today but then moved it.

Other churches like Lourdes Parish in Punta Princesa and the Alliance of Two Hearts in Guadalupe said that they have one and three weddings scheduled respectively. But this is lesser compared to the past years.

Even parishes in the provinces said that they have less schedules for this years’ Valentine’s Day. San Roque parish located in Yati, Lilo-an said that they do not have any weddings for today.

However, the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish will be having its annual Valentine mass wedding today. Five couples are scheduled to be wed this 9:30 a.m., but again this is lesser compared to past years. — AJ de la Torre/BRP   (THE FREEMAN)