Age did not matter to the oldest couple who decided to exchange marriage vows yesterday on Valentine’s Day at the Bacolod City Government Center.

This is the second marriage for both Feliciano Malunes, 73, and Estelita Setias, 62, of Purok Sto. Niño, Brgy. Pahanocoy, Bacolod City who were among the 755 couples who participated in the “I do, I do: Araw ng PAG-IBIG” mass wedding officiated by Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday at the government center.

Malunes and Setias, who were declared the oldest couple, had been living together for three years before they decided to get married since their families did not oppose their relationship.

A widower for six years, Malunes said he courted Setias, who had been widowed for 19 years, when he saw her selling fish in their place.

Setias said Malunes may have been concerned about her situation since she was alone, so he decided to court her.

Sietas said they had wanted to get married before but could not afford the cost. They were thankful that the Bacolod City Government offered couples a chance to be married for free, through its mass wedding program, she said.

Setias said she has nine children from her first husband, while Malunes had a son, who was a basketball player, but who died when he was 27.

Malunes, who is a farmer, made Setias stop working and asked her to stay at home.

The mass wedding event of the PAG-IBIG was really a great opportunity for them to make their dream come true, Malunes said.

The event became more memorable because their godfathers were Vice President Jejomar Binay, Leonardia and Vice Mayor Thaddeus Sayson.*LMR

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