The Provincial Government made 23 couples’ dreams come true through the “Kasalan ng ZaNorte 2024”, a mass wedding for couples from all corners of the province, with one coming all the way from the Municipality of Kalawit.

According to Johanna W. Lozada, focal person for the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office’s (PSWDO) Family Welfare Program, the province sponsored the rings, bouquets, and even a bento cake for each couple. They also provided a four-layered cake for the ceremonial cake slicing during the ceremony.

Couples were also gifted with a half-sack (25 kilograms) of rice from the local government.

April Jay Balais and his wife Julie nee Tabangcura, who have been together for 17 years and have two children, were thankful for the chance to finally get married and acknowledged by the law.

“Kailangan gyud naay pagsabot, (There needs to be understanding)” said Marichu. “Di pwede nang sige nalang mong patas-anay og garbo kay wa gyud nay kapadulngan (You can’t constantly be trying to one-up each other’s pride because that will never work).”

They were also thankful for the annual community weddings, because due to the financial demands of a traditional wedding, they wouldn’t be able to afford it otherwise.

According to Lozada, 23 couples is relatively low compared to the previous years, but she explained that that is mainly because City and Municipal LGUs also conducted their own Kasalang Bayans (Community Weddings) with Dipolog City catering to 33 couples, Dapitan wedding 30 couples, and the Municipality of Polanco tying together another 30 couples to name a few. (RVC/EDT/PJF/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)