FOR LIFE AND FOR THE BOOKS Couples for Christ members pack the Quirino Grandstand in Manila for the mass renewal of marital vows and a shot at breaking a record set in the United Kingdom. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
For Jayvee Tayag, 63, and his wife Carol, 57, renewing their marriage vows is not only a way of rekindling their love for each other but also strengthening their commitment to God as a couple.
The Tayags were among the thousands of couples who said “I do” all over again on Saturday afternoon, in line with an attempt by the Catholic lay group Couples for Christ (CFC) to enter the Guinness Book of World Records.
George Campos, executive director of CFC Global Mission Foundation, said some 40,000 couples had registered to help break the world record for the greatest number of couples reaffirming their marital vows simultaneously.
The event, held at Quirino Grandstand at Rizal Park, Manila, was part of the CFC’s 33rd anniversary celebration.
“We have yet to sort out the marriage contracts submitted by the couples, but based on our estimates, 40,000 couples are gathered here today to renew their vows. The number is still unofficial but we’re confident that we could break the existing record,” Campos said.
The United Kingdom currently holds the record, after enlisting 1,400 couples to renew marital vows at the same time in February.
Saturday’s Philippine attempt to exceed the number has yet to be validated by Guinness representatives. Campos said CFC would send documents of the event, including the marriage certificates and photos, to the Guinness headquarters in London for validation.
He said 90 percent of the couples who took part in the Quirino grandstand rites came from across the Philippines—“from Batanes to Basilan”—while the rest flew in from 33 other countries. The ceremony was officiated by several prelates led by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.
Campos said the CFC’s project was ultimately “not a game of numbers” but about upholding the sanctity of marriage.
For the Tayags, who have been CFC members for 23 years, that sanctity had held them strongly together—despite their being childless. “(It) is still a blessing. We have Christ in our midst, we have the CFC community as our support group, we couldn’t ask for more,” Jayvee said.