Hundreds gifted with mass wedding, baptism

BAYBAY CITY, Philippines  — It was a day of realized dream for 36 couples who tied the knot in a mass wedding and a blissful day for the parents of 107 children who were baptized in two ceremonies held at the Immaculate Conception Parish church in this city yesterday.

The mass wedding and the mass baptism were sponsored by businesswoman and mayoralty candidate Marilou “Malot” Veloso Galenzoga of this city, with the help of her complete slate of candidates for vice mayor and councilors.

The baptism ceremony was officiated by Rev. Frs. Max Casinao and Edmund Resos, while the wedding was administered by parish priest, Rev. Fr. Fermin Wabina.

Wabina, in his homily, told the newly-wed couples, that the ceremony was “a gift they will never forget … because there are people (Galenzoga and her ticket) who love you,” by giving this once in a lifetime chance of receiving the sacrament of matrimony.

Galenzoga told the local media, in a press conference, she sponsored the mass wedding and baptism after she found out, during her visits to the barangay, that there were many couples who were not married and many children who were not baptized due to financial constraints.

“Me and my family are devout Catholics, and I deemed it necessary to help these people in these matters,” she said.

The event however encountered some problems, particularly on the reception venue. “We were never allowed (by the city government) to use the gymnasium, which were locked,” said Galenzoga. “God is good however,” she commented on the success of the occasion.

In spite of being denied permit to use the city gym for the reception, the team of Galenzoga managed to hold it, despite intermittent rains, at the open church compound where the newlyweds, together with their respective families and secondary sponsors were treated to a luncheon, complete with cakes and wines and traditional wedding dances.

The newlyweds were so happy and grateful of Galenzoga, their benefactor, citing their inability to get married amid the long years of living in with many children to boot.

One couple, who were living in for nine years and had five children, told The Freeman they were thankful of the gesture of Galenzoga, who they said could be God-sent. “If not for her, we will never get married. Our prayers were answered,” the groom said.

The  oldest couple, 55-year-old man and 45-year-old woman, who has been living in for 27 years already, said they were very happy  because they already received the blessings of the almighty God. (FREEMAN)