Corazon and Michael Carungay keep their spirits up inside the jail, knowing that they will spend Christmas with their son. (CDN PHOTO/VICTOR ANTHONY SILVA)
Inmates reunite with kin, celebrate Christmas at CPDRC
Corazon Molina, 49, and Michael Carungay, 37, have been living together for more than 20 years.
About 11 of those years were spent inside the dank confines of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC).
The couple was arrested inside their home in barangay Pugalo, Alcoy town in 2004 on illegal drug charges.
This year, the couple hopes to spend their 12th Christmas with their 14-year-old son.
“There has never been a Christmas when our son was able to visit us since we got here,” Corazon told Cebu Daily News in Cebuano.
CAROLING, DANCING
In keeping with their policy, the CPDRC allows the families of inmates to stay overnight on December 24 to 25 and on December 26 to 27.
On December 24, more than 2,600 inmates will be celebrating their Christmas party.
Each inmate and their visiting loved ones will partake of the 80 roasted pigs (lechon) and other food.
Last year, inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) formed a human Christmas tree at the quadrangle as part of their performance for visitors. (CDN FILE PHOTO)
There will be singing, dancing, and eating. On Christmas eve, Provincial Jail Consultant Marco Toral said they will hold drama and caroling contests for the inmates.
Last year, the inmates celebrated Christmas with a performance at the CPDRC quadrangle where they formed a giant Christmas tree.
SHORT TIME
They were joined by Miss Earth 2014 Jamie Herrell and ambassadors of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI).
Toral said they will also hold a basketball league for the inmates on December 26 to 27.
Corazon and Michael look forward to December 24 when they can spend time with their son Jun (not his real name), who was only three years old when they were arrested.
Their son has been under the care of Michael’s aunt in Basak San Nicholas, Cebu City. Jun is in his freshman year in high school in Mambaling.
“My aunt doesn’t want him here because she fears he might learn bad things. I’m okay with that. I don’t want him to see what it’s like here anyway. But considering how many Christmases have passed without him, it wouldn’t hurt to have him even just for this year,” Michael said.
Michael said the last time Jun visited them was last year, although it was a brief meeting.
LONGING
“He seems hesitant whenever he’s here. He doesn’t even ask if he can sleep over,” he said.
In years past, however, Jun comes by to check on his parents or ask for a little money for his school projects.
Though Corazon and Michael joined other inmates in celebrating Christmas inside the jail, they somehow feel incomplete without their son.
They keep themselves busy doing arts and crafts, sports and religious events, but they still miss their son.
“It’s hard for us because we’re not with our family. No matter how much we try to be happy, there will always be this longing inside us,” Corazon said.
MOTHER’S LOVE
None of their relatives have visited them this year because they’re busy with their own lives. Corazon said she doesn’t think she’ll be able to get used to the feeling.
Corazon said when she is released, which she hopes will come soon, she will make up for lost time to her son.
She tearfully recalled how she was never able to take care of her child growing up.
She said she can’t help but be hurt every time she remembers her son telling her that he “yearns for a mother’s love.”
Corazon said she will be released after 12 years and one day in jail.
A FAMILY
Michael, however, will stay longer since he violated three provisions of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Both Michael and Corazon said there was never a time inside the jail that they did not think of Jun.
“When I get out, we’ll celebrate. I’ll go to the church first because my release is what I’ve been asking from up above.
I will make a trek on my knees from the church doors to the altar once I get the chance,” Corazon said.
Michael said he is looking forward to the time when they can be a family again.
“That’s what I am preparing for. Once we are released, we’ll be a family,” he said.