Rows of flower-decked tartanillas rolled through the streets of Iligan City on Tuesday, carrying not tourists but 27 couples on their way to say "I do."
The horse-drawn carriages, long regarded as a symbol of Iligan's heritage, became bridal cars for personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Northern Mindanao and their partners during a mass wedding held on June 17 at St. Michael's Cathedral.
For many onlookers, the procession transformed an ordinary weekday into a nostalgic spectacle, with elegantly adorned tartanillas taking center stage in a celebration that blended romance with local tradition.
After exchanging vows at the cathedral, the newlyweds rode the tartanillas once more as they headed to Cheradel Suites for the reception, drawing attention to one of the city's most recognizable cultural icons.
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Dubbed Kasalan ng Bayan: Badge, Love and Vows, the ceremony is considered the first and largest mass wedding organized for BJMP personnel in Northern Mindanao, according to Regional Director JCSupt. Felixberto Jagorin Jr.
The mass wedding allowed couples to formalize their unions with most expenses shouldered by the BJMP Regional Office, the Iligan City Government, and private sponsors.
Participants only had to provide their wedding rings.
Jagorin said organizers incorporated the tartanillas into the ceremony to honor Iligan’s heritage and provide couples with a memorable wedding experience.
For the newlyweds, the day was more than a chance to exchange vows. It was an opportunity to begin married life aboard a piece of living history, turning Iligan's iconic tartanillas into symbols not only of heritage, but also of new beginnings.
