113 Panaboan couples married on Valentine’s Day

PANABO CITY, Davao Del Norte, Feb. 17--- Unwed couples finally tied the knot on Valentine’s Day as they joined the Kasalan ng Lungsod 2015 which this year bannered the theme, “Sama ka sa CRVS Groupie”  referring to the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics.

City Mayor, Engr. James G. Gamao officiated the grand civil wedding on February 14 and solemnized 113 couples in a ceremony held at the New City Hall lobby.

Thru the City Civil Registrar Office (CCRO) headed by Dennis Devilleres, the city government made it through the Kasalan ng Lungsod with the cooperation of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), formerly known as the National Statistics Office.

In his message, Mayor Gamao urged the couples to become responsible parents and partners in their marriage life, saying the Kasalan ng Lungsod would help strengthen the family “which is the basic unit of society”.

Part of the program was the selection of  the oldest and the youngest couple.

Erionato Dela Rama (59 yrs. old) and Fely Carsido (58 yrs. old), who were chosen as the oldest couple, expressed their gratitude to the city government for granting their wish to legitimately claim their legal intimacy.

Meanwhile the youngest couple were Roque Joy Dagupan (20 yrs.old) and Meralie Bustamante (18 yrs.old).

Six couples were lucky when they were picked to receive prizes from Mayor Gamao during the longest kiss portion while Congressman Antonio F. Lagdameo, duly represented by Edwin Pardillo, gave souvenir gifts to the couples.

Among the lucky couple who won the overnight stay at Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City were Renante Mansing and Monica Torayno sponsored by City Councilor Renante Bangoy.

During the start of the ceremony, the couples made their grand entrance wearing their formal and white attire. Their exchanged of vows were witnessed by their families, relatives and friends.

The couple’s eating of cake and wine toasting (assisted by the CCR staff) and the serenade by Gigi Tabigue and Alexis Demigaya of LGU Panabo were among the other highlights in the Kasalan ng Lungsod.

Every couple availed free fees such as Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR), Php390.00; application of Marriage license, Php525.00, solemnization fee, Php575.00 and Registration of Marriage Certificates, Service fee for National Statistics Office - NSO (Php300.00).

The free certificates provided free by the city government enabled them to save as much as  Php 1,790.00.

Present during the event were Atty. Jennifer Yasul, representative of Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, City Councilors Hon. Emeterio Blase, Hon. Renante Bangoy, Hon. Emmanuel Pamisaran, Hon. Atty. Jose “Joji” Silvosa, Jr., Department Heads among others. (Jasz Paras , CIO Panabo/jmda)