424 couples in Isabela say ‘I do’ on Valentines Day

A mass wedding in Daraga, Albay. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/ MARK ALVIC ESPLANA, INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON)

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela — Four hundred and twenty four (424) couples exchanged marriage vows during Valentine’s Day mass weddings held in the Isabela cities of Ilagan and Santiago on Tuesday.

Ilagan Mayor Evelyn Diaz officiated the wedding of 324 couples here, said Danver Albert Arzaga, Ilagan City civil registrar. They included a pair of 64-year-old lovers.

Rodolfo Elises said he had always intended to marry his partner with whom he has lived since 1980.  The couple raised six children.

“With the blessing of marriage, we hope to have more fruitful years ahead as a couple,” Elises said.

In Santiago City, as many as 100 couples were wed by Santiago Mayor Joseph Tan at the flower-decked Bulwagan ng Mamamayan.

Carlos Casil, a 63-year-old widower, said he got married for the second time with his 40-year-old wife named Marissa. They have two children.  SFM/rga