By Helen Castaño | 10:11 PM, February 14, 2026
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — Love filled the air on Valentine’s Day as 58 couples exchanged vows in a mass wedding organized by the Tagbilaran City Government.
Dubbed “Libreng Kasalan sa Tagbilaran,” the annual program offers couples a memorable, cost-free wedding celebration as part of the city’s Valentine’s Day observance.
For the second straight year, the city partnered with the Diocese of Tagbilaran to hold a Catholic ceremony, moving beyond the civil rites offered in previous years. The wedding Mass was held at the St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral-Shrine and officiated by Rev. Fr. Gerardo Saco, diocesan administrator.
After the wedding mass, the newlyweds and their guests proceeded to Plaza Rizal in front of the cathedral for a reception hosted by the city government.
As part of the program, each couple received a full wedding package, including bridal gowns and veils, Barong Tagalog and slacks for the grooms, hair and makeup services, bouquets and corsages, church decorations, a wedding singer, photo and video coverage, LED walls, sound system, food for guests, wine, cake, wedding rings, and free processing of documents.
The couples also received rice cookers, tokens, and sacks of rice from city officials and sponsors led by Mayor Jane Yap.
Among the beneficiaries were Feliciano Galacio, 50, and Concepcion Hitgano, 56, of Barangay Cogon. After living together for eight years, the two finally formalized their union. They first met as online chatmates while Galacio was working in Manila and Hitgano, a widow, was in Tagbilaran.
Galacio eventually returned home, and on Valentine’s Day, they sealed their commitment before the altar.
On February 15, another 34 non-Catholic couples exchanged vows in a separate ceremony held at the Tagbilaran City Hall Atrium.
