More than 1,000 couples marked Valentine’s Day by tying the knot in a massive civil ceremony Sunday at the Caloocan City Sports Complex, according to the local government.

The “Kasalang Bayan,” or mass wedding, was presided over by Mayor Dale Gonzalo Malapitan. The event served a dual purpose, celebrating both the holiday and the 64th anniversary of Caloocan’s cityhood.

Addressing the sea of newlyweds in the Manila-adjacent city, Malapitan stressed that marriage requires a lifetime of endurance rather than fleeting emotion.

“Congratulations to all of you,” Malapitan said. “My only reminder is that marriage is not like hot food that you can just spit out if it burns your mouth.”

The mayor told the couples that their commitment should have no “expiration date” and must go beyond simply saying “I love you.” He urged the participants to maintain mutual respect as they navigate the challenges of married life.

Malapitan also used the ceremony to highlight the local government’s social safety net, promising that the city would support the new families through various stages of life. He cited existing programs for maternal health, education, and job placement as resources available to the couples as they build their households.

The mass wedding is an annual tradition in the northern part of the capital region, aimed at providing legal marriage ceremonies to couples who may lack the financial means for a private celebration.