MALUNGON, Sarangani, Philippines – Some 194 B’laan and Tagakaolo couples living in the tribal villages of Sitio Dalamuan in Barangay Lutay received the sacrament of matrimony in a mass wedding ceremony presided over by Municipal Mayor Reynaldo Constantino recently.

“I am doing these (tribal weddings) in a desire to legalize the marital status of the underprivileged, specifically those who have been living together, bore siblings, and yet deprived of the government benefits such as the 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) and PhilHealth care due to the lack of required documents (marriage contract),” Constantino said.

Lydia Erasmo, the town’s local civil registrar, described the event as very colorful as the indigenous people (IP) couples came in their traditional attire.

“The brides have almost completely adorned themselves with various T’nalak-inspired accessories,” Erasmo said.

The mass wedding on August 4 was part of Constantino’s “Lingap sa Barangay” outreach program that is implemented by local government offices that provide residents in the far-flung communities with basic and social services.

“Through this undertaking, I would be able to personally assess and take action on my people’s plight. And likewise, let them feel that what they have today is a subsisting, yet firmer kind of leadership that knows no boundaries in the name of public service,” Constantino said.

Dalamuan, a village occupied mostly by Tagakaolo tribe members that means “people of the mountain tops,” is located on the crest of a mountain along the Davao del Sur and Sarangani border.

Lanosa Quima, 57, after consummating the authenticity of his marriage with wife Bleng, said in the vernacular that “it is quite hard to believe that I and my 37-year-old eldest son Ruben have just stood right before the mayor to both receive our matrimonial blessings.”

The elder Lanosa, who have been together for over 40 years, are blessed with 10 children.

In another development, a more than 100-year-old farmer in Zamboanga City expressed his belief that he could still live for several more years.

Discovery Zamboanga, a group of local development communicators, recently visited the village of Limpapa in Zamboanga City and met the 115-year-old Ongonan Gumandao.

Discovery Zamboanga chairman Professor Jose Maria Bue said Gumandao, who belongs to the Subanen tribe, still wishes to live up to 200 years when “given the chance by the Lord Almighty.”

“If given the chance, I want to reach 200 years old, Bue quoted Gumandao as saying during their talks.

Gumandao was born on March 19, 1896, his father reportedly died at the age of 120 years old.

Gumandao, a farmer from Barangay Limpapa, the last village of Zamboanga City, could be feted as the oldest man in this city.

The Subanens, who were the first tribal of people of the Zamboanga Peninsula before the coming of the Spaniards, are also known for their long years of lives.

Bue said Gumandao may be one of the oldest men in the world as the oldest woman, a 114-year-old American woman, reportedly died in the United States last year.