Cebuano Wedding Vows from the Philippines
The Philippines has several languages, the main ones being Tagalog and English.
The vast majority of Filipinos are Roman Catholic, and for a wedding, the Church calls the exchange of vows "consent".
This page shows the consent used in the wedding Mass in the southern Philippine language of Cebuano and its rough English translation.
Cultural note: As is the tradition for wedding ceremonies, the groom typically says his vows before the bride because of historical gender roles where men were seen as the head of the household.
This practice is rooted in patriarchal societies where men were traditionally the primary decision-makers and figures of authority.
However, modern ceremonies are increasingly moving away from this tradition, becoming more inclusive and egalitarian, with couples choosing to exchange vows in an order that reflects their personal preferences and values.
This practice is rooted in patriarchal societies where men were traditionally the primary decision-makers and figures of authority.
However, modern ceremonies are increasingly moving away from this tradition, becoming more inclusive and egalitarian, with couples choosing to exchange vows in an order that reflects their personal preferences and values.
Preliminary questions
Priest:
[Ngalan sa lalaki], mianhi ba ikaw sa imong kabubut-on aron pagpakasala ug pagpakabuhi uban sa imong asawa sa gugma ug pagkamaunungon hangtod sa kataposan sa inyong kinabuhi?
[Groom's name], have you come here freely and wholeheartedly to marry and live faithfully with your wife in love until the end of your life?
Groom:
Oo, Padre
Yes, Father
Priest:
[Ngalan sa babaye], mianhi ba ikaw sa imong kabubut-on aron pagpakasala ug pagpakabuhi uban sa imong bana sa gugma ug pagkamaunungon hangtod sa kataposan sa inyong kinabuhi?
[Bride's name], have you come here freely and wholeheartedly to marry and live faithfully with your husband in love until the end of your life?
Bride:
Oo, Padre
Yes, Father
Priest:
Andam ba kamo sa pagdawat ug pagpadako sa mga anak nga ihatag sa Diyos, sumala sa pagtulon-an sa Simbahan?
Are you willing to accept and raise children given by God, according to the teachings of the Church?
Couple:
Oo, Padre
Yes, Father
Declaration of consent [vows)
Priest:
(Karon) Paggunitay kamo sa inyong tuong kamot ug ipahayag ang inyong tuyo sa usa’t usa atubangan sa Dios ug sa iyang Simbahan.
Now, join your right hands and declare your intentions before God and His Church.
Groom:
Ako, [Ngalan sa lalaki], modawat kanimo, [Ngalan sa babaye], nga akong asawa. Nagasaad ako nga magmatinud-anon kanimo sa tanang panahon: sa maayo ug daotan, sa kahimsog ug balatian. Gugmaon ug tahuron ko ikaw tanan nga mga adlaw sa akong kinabuhi.
I, [Groom's name), take you, [Bride's name), to be my wife. I promise to be faithful to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love and honour you all the days of my life.
Bride:
Ako, [Ngalan sa babaye], modawat kanimo, [Ngalan sa lalaki], nga akong bana. Nagasaad ako nga magmatinud-anon kanimo sa tanang panahon: sa maayo ug daotan, sa kahimsog ug balatian. Gugmaon ug tahuron ko ikaw tanan nga mga adlaw sa akong kinabuhi.
I, [Bride's name), take you, [Groom's name), to be my husband. I promise to be faithful to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love and honour you all the days of my life.
