Saying ‘I do’ in Kasalan sa SM turns employees’ long-held love dreams into a sacred reality
As the newlyweds look ahead they share simple, enduring aspirations centered on family health, community support and lasting happiness as they begin this new chapter together.
For couples in love, the altar is a destination that is much longed for. Sadly, for most couples it is only arrived at after immediate priorities such as childcare, medical expenses and daily living costs are met.
A wedding ceremony is continually postponed and their plans for a formal church blessing delayed despite years of living as dedicated families.
For the SM employee that dream can become a reality in Kasalan sa SM. The Kasalan is designed for couples where at least one partner serves within the SM group.
The best part? The Kasalan sa SM takes care of all administrative, logistical and ceremonial costs associated with a Catholic church wedding. Following the liturgical rites, the newlyweds and their families gather or a celebratory reception at the SMX Convention Center Manila.
A life of faith
On 12 October, 32 couples, many having already shared years of partnership, parenthood and homebuilding, exchanged sacred vows at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life. The group wedding marked the 11th Kasalan sa SM, a flagship advocacy of the Felicidad T. Sy Foundation.
The Kasalan sa SM mass wedding is one of the key programs of the foundation. It is inspired by SM Group matriarch Felicidad “Nanang” Sy, whose guiding belief is that faith is at the heart of every family.
Kimberly Lazaga, an operations assistant at Sunshine Place and her husband Willmar Maynite who had initially planned to marry in 2024. However, when Lazaga experienced a delicate pregnancy, health and family became the immediate priority. “Nag focus po muna kami sa pagbubuntis ko dahil medyo naging maselan ito (I had to take care of my pregnancy because it was delicate),” Lazaga shared.
KIMBERLY Lazaga and Willmar Maynite express their heartfelt gratitude as they celebrate their long-awaited church blessing.
But, their dream to marry was reignited when her HR officer informed them about the Kasalan sa SM program, encouraging them to apply.
Marichu Jabel and Jeffrey Moninio met as college classmates and have been together 12 years, both now working the Department Store at SM Fairview, Moninio for nine years, Jabel for three.
MARICHU Jabel and Jeffrey Moninio shared in their message of appreciation during the ceremony.
They tried to have a simple wedding in the past, but it never pushed through. Their family started growing with their first child and with the child, a list of costs that kept pushing the church wedding, they both wanted, further down. “Hindi po namin na-priority 'yung pagpapakasal mainly because of financial problems (We couldn’t prioritize our wedding because we had other financial concerns to take care of),” Jabel said.
Yet, she kept it in her prayers anyway. “Sabi ko, ‘Lord, sana makapagpakasal kami sa simbahan (I pray that one day we will get married in church),” she said.
A co-worker told her the program had reopened for a new batch, and within months, she said, that prayer had an answered prayer.
A family that prays together, stays together
For both couples, receiving the sacrament carried deep personal meaning. “Importante po talaga siya sa amin kasi blessing din po 'yun ng Panginoon (God blessing is important is our lives),” Lazaga reflected.
Jabel expressed heartfelt gratitude to Felicidad T. Sy Foundation for turning a long-held hope into reality.
As the newlyweds look ahead they share simple, enduring aspirations centered on family health, community support and lasting happiness as they begin this new chapter together.