E. B. Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon underscored the indispensable role of parents in raising responsible children who will later become responsible adults and make up a caring and loving community, during a Valentine Mass Wedding at the Public Plaza yesterday.
This is the seventh year that Malacon officiated the Valentine Mass Wedding in E. B. Magalona since he became mayor in 2016.
The oldest couple was Melchor Alota, 51, and Ellen Sedon, 40, of Barangay Alicante, while the youngest couple was John Rey Paloma, 21, and Jonalyn Barios, 19, of Barangay Alicante.
Antonietta Gador, statistical specialist of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Bacolod, served as guest of honor and speaker. She represented Luis Gonzales, chief statistical specialist of PSA Bacolod.
Also witnessing the mass wedding were Vice Mayor Eric Matulac, Sangguniang Bayan Members Gilda Parcon, Edgardo Agravante Jr., Wyndel Depasucat, Jovie Madayag, Reylan Gamboa Sr., Joey Pugales, Isidro Gomed Jr., and Edgar Jun Agravante, the president of Sangguniang Kabataaan Federation, and BAKAS (Barangay Kagawads Association of Saravia) president Matthew Louis Malacon.
Joining them were DILG-E. B. Magalona head Joji Kristine Barcelona, Municipal Planning and Development Office head Engr. Erwin Poniado, Local Civil Registrar’s Office head Mercedes Recla,
Executive Assistant Debbie Ann Dioneo-Monte, Human Resource and Management Office head Isabel Armila Patrata, and Municipal Tourism Officer-designate Ma. Teresa Alvarez.
Recla said this is the 22nd mass wedding in E. B. Magalona, an activity which is part of their activities for the month of February, being Civil Registration Month. This year’s theme is, “PSA @ 10: Providing Efficient and Effective Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Through Digital Transformation.”
Couple Elijah Nathaniel Chua, 24, and Kim Mariel Tabora, 27, of Barangay 3, led the ceremonial signing of marriage contracts, with Malacon and Matulac, witnessed by Sangguniang Bayan members.
The ceremony included a viewing of the pre-nuptial video taken of the 33 couples who earlier attended an orientation on Solid Waste Management (SWM) and planted 200 mangrove seedlings at the Tomongtong Mangrove Eco-Trail, to symbolize their shared commitment and responsibility to protect the environment.
The Municipal Government gifted the 33 couples with 25 kilos of rice each, while special awardees received a complete set of two-burner gas stoves.
Best in wedding attire: Elijah Nathaniel Chua, 24, and Kim Mariel Tabora, 27, of Barangay 3
Oldest Couple: Melchor Alota, 51, and Ellen Sedon, 40, of Barangay Alicante
Early birds: Alvin John Murillo, 31, and Rhea Gonzales, 23, of Barangay San Isidro, who arrived at the venue at 3:51 a. m. already made up and in wedding gown and coat and tie, for the mass wedding that started at 9:00am.
Birthday celebrant: Jennelyn Pasamanero, who celebrated her 28th birthday on Feb. 14.
Longest kiss: Jonas Dales, 22, and Jessa Divinagracia, 24, of Barangay Batea, who also received a cash prize for answering the longest kiss challenge.*
