By Maxine Alessandra B. Turiano

Far Eastern University’s Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (FEU ITHM) hosted the marriage ceremonies of nine couples during TamVows 2023, the 8th annual mass wedding held at the FEU Plaza last March 1.

Kaulayaw Events Co. accommodated the 90 guests attending the ceremony and reception that bore the theme, “Ties that bind, now and forever.”

The events production was headed by Section 3 of the Introduction to Meetings, Incentives, and Conference Events Management class. 

Catering was also handled by the class of Catering and Banquet Operations under Section 3, while the overall setup and food service was overseen by students of Fundamentals in Food Service Operations (Section 4) and Fundamentals of Food Service (Section 3).

In her message during the event, ITHM Dean Joy Sheelah Baraero-Era mentioned the significance of TamVows.

“This is the 8th time that we are hosting a mass wedding for the FEU community. And sabi nga nila, walang mahirap gawin ‘pag mahal mo. At tunay nga naman, ang ITHM lubos na nagmamahal sa FEU community … itong event na ‘to ay testament ng pagmamahalan ng bawat isa (And just like what they say, nothing is difficult to do when you are in love. And truly, the ITHM loves the FEU community so much … this event is a testament of love for everyone),” she said.

Dean Baraero-Era also noted that the students encountered difficulties prior to the event, following changes in the event’s schedule.

“I know that you know, itong event na ito (this event), they experienced a lot of challenges … I’m sure they have this love and commitment to follow through and make this event happen,” she added.

ITHM student and TamVows overall head Denver Sulit also shared in a separate interview that finances, finding the couples, and the short time for preparation which started only in January were some of the problems that they had to overcome.

“Again, really proud of my class since na-pull off namin siya despite all the challenges, lalo na yung last week. February 24 kasi talaga yung original date, then nag-holiday. So, another struggle, since andaming sponsors na nag-back out kasi hindi na sila pwede now ngayong bagong date (Again, really proud of my class since we pulled it off despite all the challenges, especially last week. The original date was actually February 24, then it was declared a holiday. So, another struggle, since there were sponsors who backed out because they are no longer available on the new date),” he said.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, bride Lorena Parrilla shared her gratitude for the event taking place despite drawbacks.

“Masaya po kami kasi hindi po sila nawalan ng pag-asa, tinuloy pa rin nila kahit marami pong nangyari na dumaan bago ‘tong kasal na ‘to. Masasabi ko lang po na sobrang nagpapasalamat po kami kasi natuloy po ito (We are happy because they did not lose hope, they persevered even though there were a lot of things that happened before this wedding. I can only say that we are very grateful that it pushed through),” she stated.

According to Sulit, they were originally looking for 12 couples but after issues of backing out, they ended up with nine couples hailing from the FEU staff.

“Ang target kasi is within the FEU community, so ayun. Diars, which is yung janitors natin, yung nakakasama natin araw-araw sa elevator, naglilinis ng classrooms. And then, guards natin (The target is within the FEU community. Diars, which is our janitors, the ones we see every day in the elevator, cleaning the classrooms. And then, our guards),” he said.

The newly-wedded couples were Mary Grace Soreda and Jan Voltaire Cortez, Lorena Parrilla and Renato Esteves Jr., Lovely Irader and Melvin Incion, Evalyn Cruz and Joselito Manalo, Mary-An Balasa and Dave Melendres, Charmaine Sabado and Gerwin Oblan, Salvacion Layson and Rappy Toredes, Hellas Vema Lucia Villariez and Jany Boy Tupas, and Geraldine David and Rex Villamor.

TamVows 2023 marked the return of the annual mass wedding, following a two-year hiatus due to pandemic restrictions.