ELEVEN parolees and probationers tied the knot with their partners in a mass wedding hosted by the City Government of Cagayan de Oro on November 18, 2022, at the Parole and Probation Administration in the city.

One of the parolees was Jokoy, not his real name, who got married with his partner of 17 years. Jokoy was imprisoned in October 2018 and was released on January 2019.

According to his wife, life had been difficult during the months Jokoy was imprisoned.

"Lisud kay sa among pag-uban kami man gyud, so naa siya sa taas, mangita gyud ko pamaagi nga makaadto pud ko dadto, naa ko mahatag sa iya sa taas, kay wala man sila'y income didto, so naningkamot ko, nagtrabaho ko adto nga time, at the same time, nami'y duha ka bata, so working mom," Jokoy's wife said.

Jokoy has three kids and is expecting another child as his wife is currently four months pregnant.

Jokoy and his wife are one of the 11 couples who got married during the "Kasalan ng Bayan" and received free lechon and cake as a gift from City Mayor Rolando "Klarex" Uy.

During his speech, the city mayor emphasized the importance of prayer in a couple's married life.

"Aduna'y mga pagsulay sa kinabuhi, ayaw ninyo kalimti ang pag-ampo sa Kahitas-an kay siya ra ang bugtong gilauman, makagiya kaninyo," Uy said.

Uy also commended the wives of the probationers and parolees for their faithfulness to their husbands.

"Gidayeg nako ang mga kababayen-an kay unsa kalig-on ug dako kaayong gugma nga sa likod sa inyong nahibalo-an, nagpabilin ang inyong dalaygon nga pagbati sa gugma," Uy said.