MANILA, Philippines – Couples in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental temporarily set aside the problems left behind by last week's earthquake as they faced the altar for a mass wedding on Tuesday.

The mass wedding, sponsored by the local government of Tanjay, was attended by 20 couples.

Floramae and Renato Real had been waiting to get married for 19 years, which is why neither earthquakes nor rains could stop them from tying the knot on the day of hearts.

“Sabi ng mga kapitbahay namin hindi matutuloy ‘yung kasal. Ay, [sabi ko] ituloy!” said Floramae.

Another couple, Antonio and Josephine, have been together for four years.

Antonio, who is from Antipolo City, went to Josephine's hometown in Negros after the earthquake to go through with the wedding.

“Pinangarap ko talaga na makasal sa simbahan kasi sa sobrang pagmamahal ko sa kanya,” he said.

Amid the tragedy, the newlyweds said they have learned a valuable lesson.

“Parang pagsubok lang sa amin ng Diyos ‘yun, para ang pagsasama namin ay tumatag,” said Gacutan.

The city government also hosted a grand reception as a present for the couples who did not allow the tragedy to get between their love.

La Libertad

Meanwhile, stores are slowly reopening and life is returning to normal for residents in La Libertad, Negros Oriental.

Help, such as a medical mission from Bais City, continues to pour in.

Classes have also resumed though only a few students were allowed by their parents to go to school due to the continued aftershocks.

After nine days of searching for the more than 40 people buried in the landslide in Baranggay Solunggun, there is a possibility that the operation will be stopped.

Volunteer miners have gone home and it has been days since a body has been recovered.

The local government is now studying how to assist the families of the missing. -- Reports from Jeff Canoy, ABS-CBN News; ANC