By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – Mayor Rogelio Raymund Tongson Jr. solemnized the union of 22 couples in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Friday amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The couples wed while wearing face masks and observing physical distancing.
Only a limited number of participants and guests in selected areas within the city were allowed to witness the occasion to keep up with COVID-19 safety protocols.
The newly-weds were from Barangays Mambagaton and Talaban. The city government also prepared love gifts for them.
Prior to the health crisis, Tongson said that the city has been organizing annual mass weddings as part of the city’s Charter Day celebration in March.
It might be a little different this year because of the pandemic, but the mayor believed that no matter how challenging and uncertain these days may be, as long as the nation will continue to act in unity and love, there will certainly be hope for everyone.
The series of clustered weddings accommodating couples from all 19 villages is still ongoing per schedule.