KMBI Mass Wedding During Typhoon Falcon

"Manila, Philippines, June 25, 2011 –

Rains and floods did not even stop them!  563 couples in 66 branches nationwide exchanged vows and tied the knot despite of Falcon’s raging winds and rain as KMBI spearheaded its annual mass wedding.   

“Malaki ang tulong nito.  Una, spiritually blessed ka ng God, blessed ka ng minister, blessed ka ng society...so malaki ang benefit nito,”(This really helps.  First, you are blessed by God, you are blessed by the minister, you are blessed by the society...so it’s really beneficial,”) says Mr. Joel Clavecilla, branch manager of Tandang Sora, Quezon City.

It was an emotional, fun- and Spiritual-filled event as these couples made a covenant before men and God in the sanctity of marriage.  Couples from Valenzuela branch even had to ride on a truck and pedicab, with the brides’ wedding gowns safely kept in a plastic bag, just to make it to the venue.

For some, it was a dream come true as some couples had concerns as to what kind of wedding and church they would attend because of difference in religious beliefs.

Ronalyn Marino, a program member from Tandang Sora and a Catholic, who got married to Radia Solaiman Disomimba, a Muslim, said that she’s grateful because KMBI has prepared an ecumenical wedding for couples like them aside from the financial support it gave for the wedding.  “Maraming problem – sa religion, sa family...ngayon, binigay sa amin ng KMBI ang pagsasama na tiyak para sa kanya...Para maging legal ang pamilya namin, maging legal yung pagsasama namin.” (There were problems – in religion and family...now KMBI gave us the kind of wedding that suits him...to legalize our family and our relationship.”)  Ronalyn and Radia already have a child.

The ecumenical mass wedding was joined by couples of different spiritual background and orientation who have been living together and most already have children.  This is one of the organization’s major activities that are being taken care of by the Transformation Department.  It aims to reach one of the components of its SEES (Spiritual, Economic, Environmental, Social) program, which is to draw people near to God and have a deeper relationship with Him."

True enough, KMBI does not only help individuals financially; but also helps in their spiritual growth regardless of what their religion is. The typhoon did not stop KMBI's mission to bind the couples who were present during their annual mass wedding event.

The rain and the flood may damage our physical goods but never our will and spiritual dedication. Thumbs up for KMBI!

For more details about what KMBI does, visit their website: http://www.kmbi.org.ph/.