2,013 couples wed in Bacolod

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – In its bid to stage the biggest mass wedding in the country, the Bacolod City government wed a total of 2,013 couples in an event dubbed “2013 in 2013” at the Bacolod Government Center grounds Saturday.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia officiated the wedding ceremony, with boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, an adopted son of Bacolod; Sen. Franklin Drilon and Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson among the principal sponsors.

Liberal Party senatorial candidates Jamby Madrigal and Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel stood as witnesses.

Other principal sponsors included PLDT community relations head Evelyn del Rosario and Ceres Liner owner Ricardo Yanson.

The mass wedding was originally scheduled on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, but was moved to Saturday to accommodate the schedules of the principal sponsors.

Drilon, who was also the guest speaker, said that as a gift to the 2,013 couples, he would allocate P5 million from his fund for the improvement of the Bacolod public plaza, so the couples can enjoy more while dating there.

For his part, Pacquiao advised the couples to stay committed to each other. “A marriage certificate has no expiration, so you have to stay together forever,” he said.

Meanwhile, Singson congratulated city officials “for having thought of this record-breaking event. Others might follow suit because this is a good program.”

Leonardia said Bacolod made history with the wedding of the 2,013 couples. “This is a tourist attraction in itself and (I wish) that the couples live a happy marriage,” he said.

He said the city government hopes to set a feat for the biggest mass wedding in the country, and hopefully, in the world.

Leonardia said the mass wedding is an annual tradition in the city. He recalled that last year, Vice President Jejomar Binay came to Bacolod to attend the wedding of 775 couples.