“Dako kaayo ang among kalipay na si Mayor (Rolando) Klarex Uy iyang gimugna ang kasal diri sa Barangay Bugo….Dako kaayo akong kalipay nga adunay nami’y papel na nagunitan na among marriage contract.’

 

‘(We’re very happy that Mayor Klarex Uy established this marriage ceremony here in Barangay Bugo…We’re very happy that finally we now hold a marriage contract).’

 

So said Nanay Floreda Relatibo whose 47-year-old common law relationship with Tatay Gaudencio Bacus was officially cemented in a mass wedding dubbed as ‘Kasalan Ng Bayan’ that was conducted by Mayor Klarex at Bugo Central School, Cagayan de Oro City last Saturday, June 8.

 

Floreda and Gaudencio’s marriage along with 136 couples occured on the first Saturday of June, traditionally known as the Wedding Month. Their common law relationship spanned nearly five decades and produced seven children and 12 grandchildren.

 

The foundation of that relationship is based on mutual understanding and a willingness to resolve their problems, said the 66-year-old Floreda.

 

She and her 69-year-old husband received along with the 136 couples one free lechon (roasted pig) wine and cake from Mayor Klarex and his family.

 

Each of the couples also received five kilos of rice from Councilors Yan Lam Lim and Edgar Cabanlas, City Mayor’s Office Legal Consultant Atty. Melanie Mae Cabanlas-Diron and former Barangay 21 captain Gigi Go. (NLB/CIO/photos by Alixes Gemao/CIO)