“Largest” mass wedding for tribal minorities held in Sarangani

MALUNGON, Sarangani (August 9, 2011) – After over decades of living-in on a trial marriage, the newly-wed Tagakaolo women kiss the hand of Mayor Reynaldo Constantino as a gesture of thanks and respect following a mass wedding for 194 tribal couples in Dalamuan village. (JoJo Gocotano/MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE)

MALUNGON, Sarangani (August 9, 2011) – With a caring hand, municipal health officer Dr. Rafaida Garay-Hernandez assists a Tagakaolo bride before a mass wedding in sitio Dalamuan, barangay Lutay, where brides came in their colorful traditional attire. (JoJo Gocotano/ MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE)

MALUNGON, Sarangani (August 9, 2011) – Newly-wed Lanosa Quima, 57, (2^nd from left) and wife Bleng are flanked by eldest son Ruben, 37, as they pose for a memento during their wedding day. The father and son were among 194 Tagakaolo couples who joined a mass wedding activity under the “Lingap sa Barangay” program of Mayor Reynaldo Constantino in sitio Dalamuan, barangay Lutay on August 4. (JoJo Gocotano/MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE)

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MALUNGON, Sarangani – Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino have solemnized on Thursday, a mass wedding ceremony to some 194 Blaan and Tagakaulo couples that dwells the nearby tribal villages of sitio Dalamuan in Brgy. Lutay, here in this municipality.

Lydia Erasmo, the town’s longtime local registrar office chief, said “the event was a vary day for her to witness the swarming quantity of grooms and brides, where ladies in attendance have almost completely adorned themselves with different T’nalak inspired accessories.

The carrying out of mass wedding in all of the 31 comprising barangays of Malungon town is part of Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino’s commitment during the weekly ‘Lingap sa Barangay’ of the local government which provides people living the far flung communities  with ample basic and social services.

“Through this undertaking, I would able to personally assess and take action on my people’s plight. And likewise, let them feel that what they have today is a subsisting, yet firmer kind of leadership that knows no boundaries in the name of public service,” Constantino said.    

On Thursday, a Constantino-led caravan stretched off its way towards Dalamuan, a predominated village for the Tagakaulo tribe which means - ‘People of the Mountain Tops,’ that is located atop the surrounding steep portion of the Davao Del Sur and Sarangani borderlines.

The 57-year old Lanosa Quima, after availing the authenticity of marriage with wife Bleng, said “it is quit hard to believe that I and my 37-year old son eldest son Ruben have just stood right before the mayor to both receive our matrimonial blessings.  The elder Lanosas, who had been together for over 40 years, are blessed with 10 siblings.

 

I am doing these (tribal weddings) in a desire to legalize the marital status of the underprivileged, specifically those who have been living together, bore siblings, and yet starve the different government benefits such as the 4Ps and PhilHealth care due to the lack of (marriage contract) required documents, “said the half-blooded Blaan chief executive of Malungon town. (Isagani P. Palma/ MIO-Malungon).