Members of the Dumagat Tribes, Twenty-five (25) pairs to be exact, exchange their vows at the newly unveiled love destination of the future in San Jose Del Monte (SJDM), Bulacan. The Dumagat Tribes are one of the many Indigenous People in the Southern Luzon area, and some of them are settled in this part of Bulacan, The Rising City.





Under the leadership of Mayor Arthur Robes and his partner on and off Public Service, Congresswoman Florida "Rida" Robes, the first-ever Kasalang Bayan happened at The Rising HeARt marker, which is part of the bid to be recognized as one of UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). It is meant to be a perpetual reminder to all of us that the world, despite the chaos, will always be governed by peace, love, and compassion towards one another. It is accompanied by a heart-shaped structure that serves as a love lock repository just like the ones that you see in Paris and Korea.




The Mass Wedding or the "Kasalang Bayan" is the initiative of Team Robes in bringing the sanctity of marriage to their fellow San Josenos, especially the ones who cannot find the means to spend money for such union. Just like what their Tribe Leader, Mr. Benjamin San Jose said in an interview, "ito po yong hiling ko sa ating Congressman at atin pong Mayor na mabigyan po kami ng pagkakataon na magkaroon po ng kasalang tribu po sa amin. Dahil sa nakikita ko po nung aking panunungkulan... yong kanilang pamumuhay hindi nila maisakatuparan ang pagpapagawa ng kasal. Kaya sa pamamagitan po nito... dahil sakop sa kanilang pamumuhay ay hindi nila maisakatuparan yan dahil kinakapos sila sa pang-araw-araw... kaya ito po ang aking ginawa na tanging pamamaraan upang mabigay ko na tulong sa kanila..." According to Mr. San Jose this is his way of helping his tribesmen by asking the good Mayor Arthur Robes and Congresswoman Florida "Rida" Robes for a mass wedding, which was granted and made extra significant because it was held in a special place few days before Valentine's Day.


"This is just one of the many ways for us to embrace the indigenous peoples who are part of our community," said Mayor Robes. "They can continue with their traditions but, at the same time, they can be part of the bigger community. They're one of us. Officiating a wedding ceremony for them is a great honor. I thank them for letting me become a part of their special day."



The couples, who wore their tribal ensembles, exchanged their "I dos" and Mayor Robes made their unions official.



Mayor Robes stated, "The Rising HeARt marker is really living up to its name. The mass wedding happened at the perfect time, as Valentine's Day is already very near. There's no better way to celebrate it."

My kwento or story of the Tanglawan Festival's Art pieces that showcase the beauty of the City of San Jose Del Monte and Mayor Arthur Robes and Congresswoman Florida Robes. Read more and learn about it.

Today's main attraction of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan is it's Tanglawan Festival that is becoming one of the anticipated events in the city every year after winning over from Singapore the World Guinness Record for the biggest Lantern Parade. To elevate more of the festival, the city government tapped different art organizations to come up with a visual representation and interpretation of SJDM's Tanglawan Festival. And the result was inspiring. Of course, all are through the leadership of Mayor Arthur Robes and the love of Congresswoman Florida Robes for the people of San Josenos.

Last September 10, the actual date of SJDM's cityhood, is the culmination of the 10-day celebration. As part of its activities, the opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Tanglawan Festival 2019 Art Gallery Exhibit started. The said artworks were mounted at the Basement 2, the Government Service Express area inside SM City San Jose Del Monte. The opening ceremony was graced by Mayor Arthur Robes and Congresswoman Florida Robes. The couple gave their appreciation of the artworks and praises to different artists who participated. Mayor Robes, who loves art, disclosed during the event that they are pushing for the construction of the Culture and Art Building that will cultivate the different talented children of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.

The strive to change the city's image has become more visual and firm. The works of the power couple, Mayor Arthur and Congresswoman Florida is becoming the strong foundation of their aim of changing the people's view about, from relocation to destination.

Watch out for the next projects that will bring the City fo San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan to the World-class scene, a highly urbanized city with a world-class destination.

#TheRisingCity #SJDM #SJDMTheRisingCity #KNT #KwentoNiToto