14 city jail inmates make marriage vows

CEBU – A marriage made in jail.

It was a different scene at the Cebu City Jail yesterday morning as 14 inmates got married to their long-time partners in a simple ceremony during the first mass wedding organized by officials of the facility.

The sacred matrimony, which was officiated by military Bishop Leopoldo Tumalak and jail chaplain Rev. Fr. Juan Boban, was also attended by the relatives of the couples and city officials like acting mayor Michael Rama, councilor Jun Pe and Guadalupe barangay captain Eugenio Faelnar, who stood as the major sponsors.

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology regional director Doris Dorigo said that the activity was a “laudable initiative and would be replicated in other jails.”

Dorigo said that when the activity was proposed to her office, she approved it immediately without any hesitation due to the positive effect that it could have on the inmates.

Jail warden Efren Nemenio said a lot of inmates wanted to be wed with their partners but only 14 have complied with the requirements.

“Kadtong ganahan unya wala napakasal karon, inig pass nila sa requirements, hopefully sa sunod nato nga mass wedding nasad,” Nemenio added.

One of the inmates, Sherwin, has exchanged marriage vows with his partner Juvy after being together for 17 years. He has been detained for more than five years now and they have already four children.

Sherwin was so happy because they have been planning to get married a long time ago.

“Malipayon gyud mi nga legal na gyud mi nga nakasal,” he added.

Another couple, Ronel and Miraflor, had their civil marriage already but was happy to have been finally married by the Church, a thing that they did not give too much emphasis on since he was imprisoned two years ago.

Miraflor said she will be leaving for Surigao where she has been working and would not be seeing her husband again for another year. But Ronel said he is at peace because they are now married in the eyes of the Church.

Rama said the event was one good celebration for the inmates and their families because it will show them a “good life ahead.”

Aside from the wedding, there were also confirmations and baptisms of the children of the inmates. — AJ de la Torre/WAB (THE FREEMAN)