More than P2 million in prizes were raffled off to the 2,023 couples who joined the mass wedding at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds on Saturday, March 12.
Special prizes were also given to the oldest couple, “longest cohabitation” pair and to the three best dressed couples.
The oldest couple were Maximo Mataquil, 79, and his bride, Patricia Doremon, 72, of Barangay 22, Bacolod.
Mataquils’ signed their marriage certificate, fed each other wedding cake and kissed on the stage to the delight of the crowd.
She was very happy that she and Maximo were finally married after living together for 25 years, Patricia said.
The secret to the longevity of their relationship is avoiding fights, she said.
Jimmy Seva, 60, and Rosemarie Paredes, 68, of Barangay 3 won the prize for “longest cohabitation”, having lived together for 36 years prior to getting married.
Rosemarie said they have two children and five grandchildren.
The three best dressed couples were Crisaldo and Maricel Quinsing, Jose Elvis and Regie Mae Fang, and Rodolfo and Jeshel Diaz.
Three couples won P500,000 each, five won P100,000 each, and others won appliances in the raffle.
Fe and Joeper Galvez of Barangay Singcang- Airport, who won P500,000, said they will use the amount for house repair and to start a small business.
First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos donated P1 million, and Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Rep. Greg Gasataya donated P500,000 each for the cash prizes.*