A love that transcends prison bars
February
14 is Valentine's Day and it is celebrated in a big way around the world with
traditions from the ancient times to the present. In our country, no holiday
brings out the romantic in us more than the month of February. The concept of
Valentine's Day itself was adopted by our culture from other countries. Red is another such adoption as well as the giving of flowers,
chocolates, Valentine's card and the romantic candle light dinner for two.
Though
there are various traditions and customs associated with the festival, the most
popular way of celebrating Valentine's Day is by expressing love to sweethearts
and dear ones. Some couple use the occasion to propose to their beloved while
some choose to get married during the day of love.
"...There are three things that will endure-faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:13
This year marks also the 14th February 14 as partners and nearly a month of being married for Michael and Marithelle celebrated together. This newly-wed couple proved that 'Love knows no boundaries-even in maximum security prisons.’
Michael S. Bartido, 33 years old, a resident of San Juan Baybay, Barangay VI was imprisoned in the San Carlos City Jail for almost four years. His childhood neighbor and partner for 14 years and now his wife is Marithelle B. Bartido, 31. They got married even though Michael is in prison. Actually, no formal ceremony happened during the supposed wedding because of miscommunication between the solemnizing officer of the marriage and the SCC Jail, nonetheless the marriage was legal.
In an interview with Marithelle, she said that there are two reasons why she decided to get married while Michael is incarcerated. "Gusto namong duha nga mag-pakasal, kay dugay na namu nga pangandoy." Her second reason was "Gusto namu nga ma legalize [legitimize] ang among tulo kaanak."
According to Atty. Samuel SM Lezama, the officiator of the wedding, that "There are many reasons why a couple wants to get married while one is incarcerated. This can either be because of insurance reasons, to legitimatize the children, money reasons, family visits, wishing to keep the prisoner incarcerated locally and true love.”
Truly,
this couple, found true love in each other.
The proof of this is their three children. According to Marithelle, nurturing
relationships while struggling through the complications of a prison term
requires a daily commitment and love most of all. She said that it is their
commitment to communicate and to love each other, which makes their marriage
possible despite the fact that imprisonment do not facilitate family ties.
When I
joined Marithelle in her visit to her husband in prison, I saw them talking and
dreaming about a beautiful wedding ceremony with their children dressed up with
important roles during the ceremony.
They were fantasizing about this, since they were not able to have a
formal wedding when the officiator of the marriage will say, "You may now
kiss the bride.
In spite
of everything, their story proved that marriage behind bars is possible.
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