69 lovers tie knot in 17th Love Affair with Nature

Despite the far location, thousands of people still showed up and joined the celebration of the 17th Love Affair with Nature at Sitio Tagbarungis, Barangay Inagawan Subcolony on Wednesday, February 14, with 69 couples proclaiming their vows of marriage.

Mayor Lucilo Bayron said that the 17th Love Affair with Nature celebration is indeed successful. He thanked all of the people who helped make the event possible and he also thanked all of the participants who came and joined the celebration.

“Sa aking panigin at pananaw, muli na namang matagumpay ang celebrasyon natin nito [ng Love Affair with Nature] sa dami ng pumunta dito bagamat malayo ang lugar na ito, at sa dami ng ating itatanim na bakawan, at sa dami ng ating ikakasal. At, sa tagumpay na ito, pinapasalamatan ko yung mga punong abala, yung iba’t-ibang opisina at individual na nagplano, nag-organized at nag-manage ng event na ito sa pangunguna ng ating City ENRO (City Environment and Natural Resources Office) Atty. Gomez [City ENRO Officer]. Binabati ko din at pinapasalamatan ang lahat ng nagsakripisyo, gumising ng maaga, tiniis yung lamig, nagpunta dito at mamaya magtatanim ng maraming bakawan,” Bayron said.

Mayor Bayron also presided the mass wedding ceremony for 69 couples who chose to tie the knot as part of the celebration of the 17th Love Affair with Nature.

After the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds, together with the City Government and all of the participants of the celebration proceeded to the planting site to plant some seedlings.

There are 5,000 estimated mangrove and other beach tree seedlings to be planted by all of the participants to express their love to nature by helping to strengthen and protect coastal areas.

Angelita and Ronel Magbanua, one of the couples who tied the knot during the mass wedding, said that they choose to get married during the 17th Love Affair with Nature because it is free. “Walang bayad kasi dito, kaya dito kami nagpakasal,” said Ronel.

“Masaya [yung programa], dahil yung mga taong hindi nakakapagpakasal dahil walang pera ay nakakapagpakasal sa mga ganitong programa,” Angelita added.

They also mentioned that the seedling they’ve planted symbolizes their relationship as a married couple. “Yung punong itatanim namin, bali yan yung tanda ng pagsasama namin, kung gaano siya katibay,” said Angelita.

Angelita and Ronel have been together for 11 years already and they have five children.

Mayor Bayron congratulated all of the newlyweds and thanked all of the participants. “Congratulations and best wishes, ito na nandito na kayo, mahirap naman kasi ang hindi kasal maraming benefits ang hindi matatanggap sa programa ng gobyerno.”

“Maraming maraming salamat sa lahat ng dumalo, nagsakripisyo, gumising ng maaga at nagtiis ng lamig at sa mga nagtiis na sumakay ng truck dahil napakalayo din nito. Maraming maraming salamat sa inyo, nagpapakita lang na talagang yung mamamayan ng Puerto Princesa ay pagkalikasan ang pinaguusapan ay nandyaan talaga at sumusoporta,” Bayron added as he thanked everyone who joined

Love Affair with Nature is an annual celebration of the City Government every Valentine’s Day to express love for nature by mass planting activity of mangrove and other beach trees and by conducting a mass wedding ceremony.

Before the start of the official program, City Information Office Band (CIO) welcomed all the participants with their lively voices. While some Zumba dancers roused up the sleeping energy of everyone making them join the dancing.