21 Kaibigan Couples Tie the Knot

Photo by Walt Davis

The mass wedding on November 18, 2011 was a dream come true in more ways than one for 21 Kaibigan couples.  The sky was clear and bright over the  new CCT Retreat Center in Tagaytay which served as a fitting venue for the day’s romantic celebration. (Kaibigan is the Filipino word for friend. At the Center for Community Transformation, the word is also used to refer to current or former street dwellers.)

More than a few tears were shed as the brides, in their Filipiniana attire, walked down the aisle while being serenaded with Ikaw and as they pledged their love and loyalty to one another in front of God and their many ninongs and ninangs .

Officiating minister Pastor Saludo charged the couples  to love and  stay faithful to each other.  Visitors from all over the world (USA,  South Africa, Kenya, Australia, the Netherlands, Bangladesh, among others) who were in the country for a series of meetings witnessed this wonderful commitment of lives and marriages  to the Lord.

The couples range in age from their mid 20s to early 50s and have been living together for an average of five years.  They are being ministered to by CCT's Kaibigan Ministry which reaches out to Metro Manila's street dwellers through programs that include feeding, evangelism, discipleship and reintegration into mainstream society.  

Noted makeup artist Madge Landrito and her amazing team, Jason Magbanua (celebrity videographer), and Dino Lara (internationally awarded wedding photographer) donated their time and services as a way of sharing their blessings.  What a wonderful gift for the  couples!

The  couples shared a sumptuous dinner buffet with the people closest and dearest to their hearts. Music, laughter, dancing, and a lot of love filled the rest of the evening then the couples left for a nearby hotel for their honeymoon.

Some of the buildings at the retreat center were built by many of these Kaibigans themselves.   Read the heartwarming story of one changed life here:  http://cctsikhay.blogspot.com/2012/04/weve-been-blessed-say-former-street.html

For Tagaytay Retreat and Training Center rates and booking information, please contact Eva Lope, CCT partners development officer / CCT servant at evaranlope@yahoo.com.ph, evamlope@gmail.com, 09192933157, 09232497605, 806-6912, and 234-1301. For more information on CCT'  programs and target beneficiaries, please visit www.cct.org.ph/new/.

 Story by Chie Gatchalian, Photos by Jill Hall and Chie Gatchalian