By Robert Maico
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, Dec. 12 (PNA) –- It was not too late for native Calambeňo groom, 72-year-old Dominador P. Alonzo Sr. and his 54-year-old bride Mirabel P. Caro to tie the knot Thursday morning at the New City Hall Entrance Lobby that was festooned with flowers for the occasion.
Dominador and Mirabel were among the 123 couples who sealed their marital union after years of living-in in the “Kasalang Bayan” or mass wedding dubbed as “Pamaskong Handog sa Magsing-irog (Christmas gift to Darling Couples)” sponsored by the City Government.
As the couples descended the spiral staircase in their grand processional and entourage from the second level of the city hall down to the entrance lobby, a live performer accompanied by a trumpeter serenaded them with a wedding song.
Friends and sponsors beamed with joy and cheered after the couples exchanged their vows in during the ceremony officiated by Pastor Ernie Cerezo of the Calamba Pastors Alliance.
Pastor Cerezo exhorted the newly-weds to respect each other and embrace the divine-given love as the foundation of their respective families.
The evangelical officiating minister emphasized a cathedral or church wedding is not the basis for strong relationship but the essence of the ceremony is to sustain the relationship for a lifetime.
Mayor Justin Marc SB Chipeco as solemnizing officer pointed to the couples the importance of marriage. He reminded the groom that a woman has the right to be treated with respect as partner.
“Wife is not a punching bag. Reports coming from the women’s desk are mostly violence perpetrated by the husband,” said Mayor Chipeco. He stressed that violence against women and children is a crime and a violation of the law. This, the groom should always remember, he said.
The mayor also cited that the married couple has a joint parental authority on their children.
“Marriage or the contract of marriage is sacred, and is protected by the Constitution,” he added. (PNA)