Joavan says he’s changing for the better in prison

Noticeably thinner, Joavan Fernandez says he’s learned to be more patient in jail. CDN Photo/Melissa Q. Cabahug

AFTER gaining notoriety as Talisay City’s “bad boy” for his  brushes with the law, the adopted son of former Talisay  mayor and now City Councilor Socrates Fernandez  says he’s a  changed man.

Joavan Fernandez said his nearly two-year detention at the  Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) has had a positive impact on him.

Joavan said he was inspired by the kind treatment  of jail personnel.

Bible study

He said he sometimes leads the Bible study session of fellow inmates.

His adopted father, “Soc” is a fervent Catholic  evangelist.

“Nindot kaayo sa feeling nga moapil ka sa Bible study at least ba, mas maduol ka sa  Ginoo sa imong gibuhat sa una (It’s a good feeling to join  Bible study. At least you get closer to God unlike what I did before),” he said.

Joavan is facing various charges, including illegal possession of explosives and reckless imprudence resulting in damage to properties.

“Dili man gyud ko maldito. Dili ko hilabtanon nga pagkatawo kon dili ko hilabtan, nganong manghilabot man ta nga wa man ta gihilabtan (I’m not a  troublemaker. I am not a person who  creates trouble if no one bothers me. Why would I bother someone when no one is bothering me?)” he said.

Joavan said he joins sports and entertainment activities with fellow inmates to help cope with homesickness.

He said this is eased when he gets visits by his two children, aged six and 11,  and his father.

“Ako rang gi-agwanta kay di ko ganahan makakita sila nako pirmi nga ang ilang amahan napriso, maayo nang panagsa ra kay ma-absorb unya nila akong kahimtang diri (I endure not being visited often by them.  I don’t want them seeing their father in jail. Occasional visits are better so they won’t absorb and get affected by my situation here),” he said.

Asked what advice he could give to fellow inmates, Joavan said they should learn to be patient.

Patience

Provincial Jail Warden Romeo Manansala said he is one of the few  who has seen changes in Joavan’s attitude.

The warden said he saw  how Fernandez would share food brought  for him by his family and would give money to fellow inmates.

“There’s a little change in Joavan. When I talk with his father, he would commend me and say that Joavan is making progress,” said Manansala.

One time  he caught Joavan using a cellphone, which is a no-no in prison.  The warden advised him to be patient.