The cost of getting married in the Philippines is becoming more expensive year after year. This has impeded many Filipino couples from tying the knot due to lack of funds. For these blessed couples however, they have the St. Peter Community to rely on for their wedding expenses!

The Kasalang Bayan Program of the St. Peter Community, St. Peter Life Plan and Chapels Corporate Social Responsibility arm, has been ongoing for the last 15 years for couples in Metro Manila. Interested parties will just have to submit the following requirements to be enlisted for the scheduled wedding ceremony: 1.) Marriage license (for those who are not yet married); 2.) Photocopy of marriage contract (for those who are civilly married); 3.) Original birth certificate from PSA of both parties; 4.) Original copy of certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR) from PSA; 5.) Original copy of baptismal and confirmation certificates with notation for marriage purposes; and 6.) Other legal documents that may be required by the church. After the wedding ceremony, a group wedding reception is also arranged for the couples to celebrate the occasion together with their closest family and friends.

September 2018 marked the first time that the program has been rolled out nationwide. Since January the program has already wed 8 couples in St. Jude Parish in Bacolod, 12 couples in Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Zamboanga and 10 couples in Our Lady of Sacred Heart-Capitol in Cebu last. The weddings are joined by St. Peter Chairman Emeritus Florita Vitangcol, and St. Peter Life Plan, Inc. (SPLPI) Chairman of the Board Mildred Vitangcol who act as principal sponsors for all wedding couples, St Peter Community Presiding Elder Ernesto Burdeos who acts as principal sponsor for couples in Metro Manila, and the respective SPLPI Territory Head of the area where the Kasalang Bayan is held. 

There will be more Kasalang Bayan activities that will be held within the year. For more information on the requirements, procedures and schedules, interested parties may get in touch with Celedonia Saballa at celysaballa@ymail.com or call 0917-569-3110.

Schedules of Kasalang Bayan

1. April 25, 2019 at the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral in Dipolog City

2. September 7, 2019 at the St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Ma-a Davao City

3. September 12, 2019 at the San Nicolod de Tolentino Parish in Cagayan de Oro City

4. November 11, 2019 at the Our Lady of Hope Parish in Brgy. Pag-asa, Quezon City