COUPLES running into thousands are tying the nuptial knot on this day coinciding with Lupercalia, or an ancient feast of fertility, and the death of St. Valentine’s of Rome. Caloocan City attempted to make it to the Guinness Book of World Records with 1,510 pairs in simultaneous swap of “I do’s” while Pag-BIG Fund sponsors mass weddings in six malls in six cities across the nation. Lovebirds on an altar date in Puerto Princesa will be tasked to plant trees before hopping off to their respective love nests.

Caloocan City Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri revealed that a total of 1,510 pairs were joined in holy matrimony during Kasalang Bayan 2012, held in Glorietta Park, Tala as part of the celebration of the city’s 50th Foundation Anniversary this coming February 16.

The pre-registration of the couples for Kasalang Bayan 2012 also bared that Boots Evasco, 19 and Leshei Valenzuela, 18 were the youngest wedded pair while Godofredo delos Santos, 77 and Marcelina Jumbang, 75 were the oldest pair.

Echiverri said that it would be a great honor not only for Caloocan but for the entire country if and when the Guinness Book of World Records recognizes the city for the particular feat.

“What an honor it would be, not only to this city but to the entire country, if our beloved Caloocan earns a place in the prestigious Guinness Book of World Records,” Echiverri said.

It was also gathered from the Civil Registry Department (CRD) of the Caloocan City Hall that the local government shouldered the wedding-related expenses of the participating couples, including their registry.

Echiverri, through his capacity as mayor, legalized the union of the couples while local city officials served as the newlyweds’ sponsors.

Mangrove planting
More than 185 pairs in Puerto Princesa exchange matrimonial vows today in an altar date dubbed as “Love Affair with Nature” where couples, mostly low-income residents, took the opportunity to get married without having to spend a centavo.

Mayor Edward Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa, in an interview with The Manila Times before the mass wedding, said that in return the newly wed couples just had to plant mangroves at the coastal area of Sitio Tagbagcong, Barangay San Jose, Puerto Princesa City.

“This event has become a traditional way for Puerto Princesa to celebrate Valentine’s Day and one of our most important efforts at conserving our marine resources,” said Hagedorn.

He said that this activity will strengthen the coastal from big waves every time there is a typhoon entering the Philippines.

Moreover, the mayor said that this occasion marked the 10th year of the Puerto Princesa’s marine conservation program, which designed to rehabilitate known spawning grounds for small fish.

Hagedorn added that besides the free wedding, the city also offers financial assistance to the 185 couples as their start-up fund.

Pag-IBIG members
The Home Development Mutual Fund, more popularly known as Pag-IBIG Fund, will sponsor a mass wedding for its members to be simultaneously held at the SM Mall of Asia and other SM Malls in Baguio, Naga, Bacolod, Cebu, Davao and Cagayan de Oro.

Dubbed as “I Do. I Do. Araw ng Pag-IBIG,” the event will allow couples to get married or renew their wedding vows in civil ceremonies.

Vice President Jejomar Binay will attend the mass wedding ceremony to be held at the Bacolod New Government Center in Bacolod City, which will be attended by 600 couples.

Similar events will also be held in Calamba and Kidapawan, co-sponsored by the respective local government units. LGUs of the areas where the mass weddings will be held also supported the fund’s undertaking through the speedy or free processing of the required documents.