Mandaue city gov’t sponsors 81 couples for ‘strong families’

Their 25-year age gap didn’t stop them from getting married at the National Shrine of Saint Joseph in Mandaue City yesterday.

It was a dream come true for Eddie Alanza, 55, who tied the knot with his partner of 10 years, Maribel Manalo-Alanza, 30.

They were one of 81 couples in a mass wedding organized by the Mandaue City government with the Kaabag Foundation and Mandaue’s Fiesta Committee 2013.

The couples later rode aboard the city’s electric cars to a reception at the Mandaue sports complex.

Eddie Alanza and his wife Maribel had a civil wedding in Dec. 16, 2002 but didn’t pass up the chance to receive the sacrament of matrimony in a Mass.

“Iba talaga ang feeling na ikakasal ka sa simbahan kasi sagrado talaga dito. Galing sa ating Panghinuon ang sakramento nga ibinigay sa amin,” said Eddie, while waiting for their turn to have photos taken with Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and first lady Sarah Walker-Cortes.

The couple met in Cebu. Maribel, a former househelper from Pampanga, had the same boss as Eddie, a delivery man from Negros.

The union was blessed with three children but their youngest child, Princess Maria died at childbirth in 2008.

Jennylyn Luna-Bate, who was born wtihout a right arm and hand, married her textmate, Ernesto Jr.

They have been living together in barangay Pagsabungan, Mandaue City with their three children. The two met through an exchange of cellphone text messages.

When they exchanged vows yesterday, Jennylyn said she was teary eyed over the words pledging that they would stay together in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer and till death do they part.

“Gaan kaayo akong paminaw pagsulti nako sa vow,” she said. (I felt lighter and peaceful inside when I recited the vow).

Msgr. Arthur Navales officiated the mass wedding with Fr. Randy Nebria and Fr. Johndy Enanoria.

In a message to the newly weds, Mayor Cortes said life is not a “bed of roses” and that it was important to have trust in each other.

“Respect begets respect. The future of the family depends on the couples,”Cortes said.