143 ‘masked’ couples exchange “I dos” in mass wedding
AMID COVID-19 THREAT
IT was not your typical wedding setting and there was nothing that could stop 143 couples in Lingayen town to exchange “I dos” last Feb 14, not even the threat posed by COVID-19.
As a precaution, a protocol was adopted that required couples to wear surgical face masks, had their hands sanitized with isopropyl alcohol and made to have body temperature checked before they entered the wedding venue at The President Hotel. The same was required of their wedding sponsors and relatives.
To avoid a crowded setting which was a no-no to Covid-19 infection, the couples were divided into three groups.
Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil who officiated their civil wedding, also wore a surgical face mask and underwent the same protocol.
The oldest couple, Milagrosa Biag, 66, a simple housewife from Aguilar town and Pablo Ferrer, 63, from Sitio Aplaya, Barangay Pangapisan North here who works as a utility worker at the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital, have been living together for 40 years and are already blessed with two daughters, aged 41 and 36 from whom they have grandchildren.
“We’re happy,” the couple said but Ferrer admitted there was a time they were separated but were eventually reunited because of their undying love.
The wedded couples underwent Pre-Marriage Orientation and Counseling.
Bataoil said in an interview that in compliance with the various directives and guidance from higher headquarters, particularly on the prevention of the spread of COVID, he distributed face masks, provided hand cleansing center and thermal detector at the wedding.
“They’re all very healthy, they’re all very excited,” Bataiol said and commended his staff for the thorough preparations to ensure the safety of the couples and their guests. He said the protocol was adopted to comply with the directives.
The couples were also required to keep their masks on for their first marital kiss after the ceremony. “What they do when they go home is already an individual responsibility,” he said smiling.
The couples’ wedding rings, arrae, souvenir items, and reception were provided by the municipal government.
The Lingayen Tourism Stakeholders’ Association also provided gifts for the raffle. (PhilStar Wire Service/ECV)
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