GEORGE TOWN: With most Covid-19 restrictions being eased now, hundreds of couples will be out to say “I do” on May 20.
The day is deemed special for those who are Chinese-literate because “520” (wu er ling) in Mandarin somewhat rhymes with the phrase “I love you” in the same language.
May 20 is now a special day for them because they have adopted this version of Valentine’s Day.
520 had its origins as an online slang coined as a shortcut to say “I love you”, just like the mnemonics “ILY” in English, and over time, 520 came to be associated with being a “romantic” day.
At the Che Hoon Khor Moral Uplifting Society in Macalister Road, more than 50 couples have applied to get married, though only 30 couples will get to exchange their vows on that day due to Covid-19 preventive measures.
A society spokesperson said they reduced the number of people for the ceremony to manage the crowd.
“Response has been really good, and we have since closed registration for marriage applications.
“The couples will take part in a mass wedding ceremony, like how it was done before the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
The secretary of the Penang Chinese Town Hall, Koay Eng Seng, said all 55 slots were taken up shortly after registration for the event – which is also known as the unofficial Valentine’s Day among Mandarin-speaking countries – opened.
“We dare not take in more couples as the pandemic is not completely over.
“We will only allow 55 couples to come in on that day. Even then, each couple has been given a designated time slot from 9am onwards for better crowd control,” said Koay.
Meanwhile, Penang Koosoo Kwong Choon Tong Restaurant and Tea Shop Association chairman, Vinah Yee, said they would prepare for more walk-ins as couples and their families would usually come for lunch after the registration session.
“We expect business to be slightly better than usual. We won’t expect the diners to take up many tables as usual, as typically only the newlyweds and their closest family members would come,” she said.