TEN couples in Cagayan de Oro City finally tied the knot in front of the altar last Saturday, March 23, during the mass wedding rites held at St. Augustine Cathedral, this city.
The mass wedding, according to the Oro Citizen’s and Wellness Center, is part of the aftercare activity of the Community Based Rehabilitation Program (CBRP) implemented through the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC), as some of the grooms and family members of the newly-wedded couples are graduates of the said program.
“Part kini sya sa atong Community Based Rehabilitation Program nga dili lang hisgutanan nga rehabilitate sila diha sa drug addiction but gusto sad nato nga mai-strengthen ang family ties sa mga magtiayon,” City Administrator Teodoro Sabuga-a Jr. said.
The city government and the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro sponsored the expenses used to process the couples’ requirements, their marriage certificates and the wedding rings.
Monsignor Perseus Cabunoc, who presided over the ceremony, lauded the effort of the local government in organizing the event which strengthens and officially place God in the relationship of the couples.
He mentioned the importance of receiving the sacrament of matrimony as the newly-wedded couples live together and build their own family.
Couple Demuel Santaan, a graduate of the CBRP, and his wife Mayene Mampalaod-Santaan, for their part, expressed their gratitude and happiness that after six years of living together they finally got married.
Despite living a simple life as a farmer and a housewife, the couple said they are happy with their simple life and looking forward for a better future, especially when concerning their plans on having a child or children.
“We are hoping mahimo kini nga inspirasyon sa mga atong mga ubang drug responders, labi na ang mga kabataan, nga diay naa pa gyu’y paglaom,” Sabuga-a said.
After the wedding, the reception was held at the Duaw Park where City Mayor Oscar Moreno congratulated the newly-wedded couples.