Twenty couple-employees of the SM Group exchanged marital vows in Catholic rites ceremonies sponsored by Felicidad T. Sy Foundation.
The couples tied the knot at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life with Rev. Fr. Reynaldo Reyes, SSP as officiating priest. Six other priests joined the celebration to officiate.
Standing as main sponsors at the ceremonies were Linda Atayde, executive director of SM Foundation; and Rollie Macatangay of the religious committee of SM under the Felicidad Sy Foundation. They also acted as candle sponsors.
In an interview with Maricar Sano and Joey Concepcion, one of the newly wedded couples, they said the occasion gave them the opportunity to have their union blessed in a special ceremony with “all the works.” Maricar was dressed in a beautiful white gown while Joey was in a dapper suit.
SM had offered wedding attires but the two opted to have their own outfits made-to-order. The two have been living together and has an eight-year old son named Adriel Dane who was ring bearer at the wedding.
Maricar who works at the Shoe Department of Megamall said, “my life is complete…this ceremony completes it.”
Another couple, Lorna Padilla, who works in the ladies department of SM Quiapo; and Sheldon Balatero, stockman of kids department of SM Sta. Mesa already had a civil wedding in July 2 last year. When the religious group of SM announced the mass wedding, they grabbed the opportunity. They also encouraged their friends in SM to avail of the offer.
Jenalyn Mangalinao of Savemore and Harold Impas have been living together for four years. They were scheduled to join the mass wedding last year but because Jenalyn was pregnant, she had to postpone the church ceremony to this year. They now have a baby boy.
“Natupad na rin ang pangarap namin,” and to top it all, “napakaganda ng ceremony and reception namin (Our dreams finally came true, and to top it all, we had a lovely ceremony and reception). We would not have been able to afford this on our own. “Maraming salamat kay Nanang!” exclaimed Jenalyn.
The catered reception which followed at the St. John Paul Youth Center of the Shrine was a gift of the foundation to the couples who brought along their families. The couples were each given a personalized gift from “Nanang” Sy, matriarch of the foundation.