Foreign movies and television programs, as well as the high cost of weddings, are being blamed for a decline in marriages.

Civil and Church authorities have observed a drop in the number of people tying the knot in recent years, especially in urban areas.

Archbishop Oscar Cruz, judicial vicar of the National Appellate Matrimonial Tribunal, blamed the phenomenon on the influence of foreign media and movies that depict unstable or problematic marriages.

"Movies show couples getting married, separating, getting married again, and again, and going their own ways," the prelate said.

"As a result a lot of people do not believe in marriage anymore," he added.

Another cause is the high cost of weddings, he said.

"We really cannot understand why weddings are so expensive; many expenses are not necessary," Archbishop Cruz said, adding that the Church holds free weddings twice a week.

Filipinos are accustomed to holding big celebrations and parties during weddings.

The prelate, however, explained that marriage "is always about the family and about the raising of children and maintenance of the marriage vows."

He warned that if the Church does not work to teach the faithful the meaning of marriage, it will lose devotees.

Sociologist Clifford Sorita laid the blame elsewhere, saying today’s career-oriented society sees marriage as something that can wait.

"Career comes first before a relationship," he said, adding that the goal of a lot of young people is to have stable jobs and a better standard of living.

He also said having children is "not seen as a blessing anymore" by couples because raising children gets in the way of their careers.

Like Archbishop Cruz, Sorita warned that Filipino society is under threat because of an increasing trend towards “selfishness."

He said it is important for the Church to introduce in schools values that will emphasize the importance of "self, family, community and God."