271 couples get married in Kasalang Bayan in Manila on Valentine's Day

A total of 271 couples from all over the city of Manila tied the knot in a grand Kasalang Bayan ceremony at Paco Park on Valentine’s Day.

A Kasalang Bayan or mass wedding is a public ceremony initiated by local government units where couples can get married. A priest or mayor will marry them.

In the Manila event, a priest was present to marry the 271 couples. Manila district councilors served as the principal sponsors.

The women wore white dresses while the men were in Barong Tagalog, polos, or tuxedos. Each bride and groom had their entrance and walked down the aisle.

They were also able to experience wedding traditions such as the wearing of rings, eating of cakes, and the first kiss as a married couple. Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto and his wife Flovelyn led the tradition of the releasing of doves on behalf of the couples.

The Kasalang Bayan was composed of a wide range of couples, including those who have been together for decades and have children.

Newlyweds Ronald and Remedios have been together for 40 years and have four working children, but have only gotten married at the Kasalang Bayan because it was a good opportunity. The couple was also very happy to finally tie the knot.

"Siguro ngayon lang 'yung pagkakataon na dumating sa buhay namin," Remedios told GMA News Online.

She added that she felt very joyful. "Iba na kasi 'to eh, kasal na."

Ronald added, "Sigurado na, sure na sure na."

The project is under Vice Mayor Servo Lingkod Bayan initiative.

"Nakaka-proud na nagsimula na maliit, na konti lang ['yung sumasali], ngayon padami na nang padami 'yung mga nagtitiwala na magpakasal dito sa programang ito," the vice mayor said in an interview with GMA News Online after the event.

Servo said he is delighted to be part of the couples' major milestone, most especially since a number of them have planned on getting married but had never pushed through.

He added that he was happy to see couples celebrate their love and that it is a special wedding ceremony because it happened on Valentine's Day.

"Hindi nila makakalimutan 'yung kanilang anniversary," he said.

And love was truly in the air. "Natutuwa lang ako na pinaghandaan din nila, tsaka feel na feel talaga 'yung kasalan maski madami, maski matagal. Pero pinapanood ko sila, OK naman na na-a-appreciate din nila, nagustuhan nila," Servo said.

In a message to the newlyweds, Servo said he wants them to have a stronger relationship and have God at the center of their love.

He added, "Laging magsasabihan ng 'I love you,' at magbibigayan ng respeto at tiwala."

Servo told the couples that they should also set aside time for just the two of them.

"At s'yempre, 'wag mawawalan ng oras ang bawat isa para sa mag-asawa. Importante din kasi sa mag-asawa na meron din silang sariling oras," he said.

"Minsan sa pagmamahal, nawawala minsan 'yung sweetness, puro trabaho, puro pera. Eh 'di naman tayo pababayaan ng Panginoon, bibigyan naman tayo, basta 'wag lang tayo magiging tamad."

—MGP, GMA Integrated News