With her heart filled with gratitude and love, Marijo Acenas, in her simple white dress, finally tied the knot with Ahbil Gaaynon, her partner for 22 years.

 

Despite being together for more than two decades and having two sons, a 20-year-old and a nine-year-old, Acenas and Gaaynon shared that they weren't able to be wed due to financial problems.

Moreover, the two were victims of Typhoon Sendong, causing them to relocate from Barangay Balulang to Barangay Balubal.

 

"Dako kaayo ang akong pasalamat, una sa Ginoo tapos kang Mayor Klarex tungod sa iyahang mga serbisyo nga gihatag sa amo, natagaan gyud mi og higayon nga makasal nga libre kay wala gyud mi mga kwarta. Usa na sa rason nga wala mi nakasal og dali," Acenas said.

 

Acenas and Gaaynon were just one of the 46 couples who tied the knot during the free "Kasalan ng Bayan" organized by the City Government of Cagayan de Oro headed by Mayor Rolando "Klarex" Uy together with the City Civil Registry, and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Thursday, September 8, 2022.

 

Asked about the secret of their long-lasting relationship prior to marriage, Acenas said: "Put God first. Ginoo gyud ang center sa among relationship maski dili pa mi kasal, maski daghan kaayo mga challenges, mga problema pero amo lang gyud gi-fight para sa mga bata pud kay dili mi gusto nga ma-broken family."

 

"Taas og pasensya tapos magsinabtanay ang usa-usa. Kung ang usa nasuko, dapat naa gyud magpaubos," she added.

 

Mayor Klarex, who officiated the civil wedding, stressed the importance of communication, humility, respect, intimacy, service, and trust in married life.

 

"Bisa'g magtiayon namo, mag-respetaray kamo, magtinahuray kamo kay dinha sa pagrespetaray, makita ninyo ang paghigugma," Uy said.

 

"Magtinahuray kamo labina sa mga panahon nga adunay inyong sabut-sabutan. Lahi-lahi ang inyong mga paglantaw, lahi-lahi ang inyong mga pangandoy. Mao nang magrespetaray kamo sa matag desisyon," he added.

The city mayor also emphasized the importance of trust in the couples' married life, saying that doubt between husband and wife will not bring happiness.

 

"Kung wala'y pagsalig kamong magtiayon, dili mo malinaw, dili mo malipayon kay nagpabilin ang pagduda, ang mga katahap. Walay pagduda ug katahap nga maayo, puros gyud makadaot sa magtiayon," Uy said.

After the event, each of the couples took home a wedding gift, a whole lechon, wine, and cake.

 

‘Kasalan ng Bayan’ is one of the highlight services offered by the City Government as part of the "Klarex nga Serbisyo sa Baryo" program. (JAS-CIO/photos by Rod Constantino)