10 Pinoy couples exchange vows in Dubai mass wedding rite ahead of Valentine’s Day
At least 10 Filipino couples working in the United Arab Emirates were wed in a mass civil rite on Thursday at the Philippine Consulate in Dubai.
Two days before Valentine's Day, the couples exchanged "I dos" in front of witnesses and got their marriage certificates at the consulate, Gulf News reported.
“We hold mass weddings at the consulate every Thursday because it would be time-consuming and difficult to wed them individually,” said consul general Frank Cimafranca.
Cimafranca said as many as 10 to 15 Filipinos get married at the consulate every week.
He said consulate officials like him are authorized by law to officiate these marriages.
"For those who prefer to have it done at a church, by an imam, or at Dubai courts, they only send us the papers to have them registered,” he said.
As for the couples, they said the mass wedding rite was a “faster and easier way to cut on costs and other preparations needed to get married at a church in the UAE.”
Maria Rona Balleser, who manages applications received by the consulate, said one reason many Filipinos seek a civil marriage in Dubai is because getting the marriage certificate is faster.
Balleser said that since they are UAE residents and their vacation times are short, "it makes more sense to get their marriages done here, as they will not have the time to secure their marriage license within a one-month period when visiting the Philippines.”
Also, she said they can qualify for marriage within 15 days in the UAE if there are no legal impediments.
She added civil marriages are a viable option if the couples are from different Christian sects or when they want to have a Church wedding in the Philippines.
Thursday's new couples received gift vouchers from sponsors. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News
Two days before Valentine's Day, the couples exchanged "I dos" in front of witnesses and got their marriage certificates at the consulate, Gulf News reported.
“We hold mass weddings at the consulate every Thursday because it would be time-consuming and difficult to wed them individually,” said consul general Frank Cimafranca.
Cimafranca said as many as 10 to 15 Filipinos get married at the consulate every week.
He said consulate officials like him are authorized by law to officiate these marriages.
"For those who prefer to have it done at a church, by an imam, or at Dubai courts, they only send us the papers to have them registered,” he said.
As for the couples, they said the mass wedding rite was a “faster and easier way to cut on costs and other preparations needed to get married at a church in the UAE.”
Maria Rona Balleser, who manages applications received by the consulate, said one reason many Filipinos seek a civil marriage in Dubai is because getting the marriage certificate is faster.
Balleser said that since they are UAE residents and their vacation times are short, "it makes more sense to get their marriages done here, as they will not have the time to secure their marriage license within a one-month period when visiting the Philippines.”
Also, she said they can qualify for marriage within 15 days in the UAE if there are no legal impediments.
She added civil marriages are a viable option if the couples are from different Christian sects or when they want to have a Church wedding in the Philippines.
Thursday's new couples received gift vouchers from sponsors. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News
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