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PRISON bars did not keep Julieta and Alexander Soliano from getting married.
The couple had long dreamed of having a church wedding, but it was only after 21 years in their relationship that they got their wish.
It was a wedding not inside the church though, but a solemn ceremony inside the Lapu-Lapu City Jail.
Alex, 43, who used to work as an unlicensed tour guide was imprisoned for selling illegal drugs.
While in jail, he met members of the Saksi ni Jehovah (Jehovah's Witness) who made him realize the importance of marriage.
“I told my partner that I want to get married. She hesitated at first because we were going to get married under a different religion but with much pleading, I was able to convince her,” said Alex.
The couple were former Roman Catholics.
“I want to tell people that being in prison will not prevent you from getting married as long as you have the will to do so,” he said in Cebuano.
Alex said he asked the help of a Jehovah elder, Jun Lumapac and wife, Joanne, to organize the wedding.
The Jehovah congregation funded the attire of the entourage and food after the ceremony, said Lumapac.
Around 200 people, including the Solianos' four children, family, relatives, fellow inmates, congregation members and jail guards, attended the wedding on Feb. 4. Alex had already spent eight months in jail.
“It was a solemn ceremony. We were very pleased with what happened,” said City Jail warden Isabelo Cartin Jr.
Cartin said it was the first time that a non-Catholic wedding was held inside City Jail.
A mass wedding for Catholics was held inside the jail in 2005.
Tears were not shed during the wedding, said Alex and Julieta.
“I was nervous, but I tried to hide it by laughing. Throughout the ceremony, I kept on laughing. I was happy that we were getting married, but also felt awkward that I was getting married at 40,” Julieta said.
Asked on how she felt after the wedding, Julieta said: “I was happy, but I felt it was not complete because Alex is in jail. I wish he's beside me to help solve problems in the house especially when the children quarrel,” she said.
But Julieta said her love for Alex is strong.
“My sister even tried to prevent me from marrying him because she wants me to marry a foreigner but I can't. Love hit me here,” she said pointing to her heart.
Alex said that as head of the family, his role is to give his wife and children advice.
“My case is still pending. I have not been convicted. I am confident that with the help of the one above, I will get out of here and spend the rest of my life with them. I love my wife. I love my family,” he said.
