CEBU, Philippines - Sixty couples will say their wedding vows this Thursday, January 30, 2014 in a ceremony sponsored by The Freeman ChairmanJose Gullas and wife Nena.
The ceremony will be held at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral at 4 p.m.
A firm believer in the sanctity of a Holy Matrimony, Gullas said they would have wanted to wed 80 couples but only 60 met the requirements.
"I have wanted 80 couples gyud unta ang ikasal during the mass wedding but 60 ra gyud ang naka-comply sa mga requirements," he said.
The mass wedding is part of Gullas' celebration for his 80th birthday on February 1.
His wife, Nena, will personally bake the cakes for the 60 couples.
"That is my personal gift to them nga bisan medyo kapoy gyud na but this is also my support sa akong husband. Last year, I ordered the cakes para gipanghatag sa mga bag-ong kasal but now, ako gyud ang mo-bake," Nena said.
Unknown to many, Nena has been baking cakes since the '90s, a skill that endeared her husband more.
"Nisamot ko og ka in love niya after eating her cake," Gullas said about is wife.
Like in the previous mass wedding, the couples will practically have nothing to worry about. Items like the bride's gown and hair and makeup, the groom's barong, church and civil fees, and reception, among others, will be taken care of.
The reception will be held at the gym in the University of the Visayas main campus in Colon Street.
"Ang mass wedding ni Sir Dodong kay lahi gyud sa tanan kay kining iyaha, siya gyud tanan ang mugasto. While ang uban nga mass wedding ang libre kay ang reception ra man. Ang iyahang mass wedding mao na unya nay mahimong sumbanan sa tanan nga buot mupahigayon og mass wedding," said DYAB station manager and The Freeman columnist Leo Lastimosa.
Gullas said he and his wife decided to sponsor a mass wedding owing to the realization that many couples choose not to get married in church because of the expenses. — (FREEMAN)