URDANETA CITY — Father’s Day was celebrated in an extraordinary and heartwarming way at the Urdaneta District Jail Male Dorm, where 12 inmate-fathers took center stage in a special pageant dubbed “That’s My Tatay,” proving that fatherhood transcends even the walls of incarceration.
The unique event featured 12 contestants representing the jail’s 12 dormitories. Each participant, recognized as a father and paternal figure to his family, competed in various segments showcasing not only their appearance but also their talents, character and enduring love for their children.
The Urdaneta District Jail Male Dorm houses 428 persons deprived of liberty, with more than half of them being fathers. The Father’s Day activity was organized to honor their role as parents and to strengthen their connection with their families despite their present circumstances.
The event was attended by visiting family members who filled the venue with cheers, laughter and emotional moments as they watched their fathers, husbands and loved ones perform on stage. Contestants competed for special awards, including Best in Casual Wear, Mr. Congeniality, Best in Talent and Best in Formal Wear, among others.
Welcoming the guests was Jail Insp. Jayson DC Mabuti, assistant jail warden of the Urdaneta District Jail Male Dorm, who emphasized that the celebration forms part of the jail’s continuing efforts to promote rehabilitation and preserve family ties.
Among the invited judges was this writer, who serves as an officer of the Inner Wheel Club of Western Downtown Dagupan and is known in the community for active involvement in various civic, media and socio-civic organizations.
Participating as a judge was both an honor and a humbling experience, witnessing firsthand how fatherhood remains a powerful force of hope, responsibility and redemption even within the confines of a detention facility.
As the contestants sang, danced and proudly shared their talents, the audience saw not inmates defined by their past mistakes but fathers striving to become better men for the sake of their children and families.
The event highlighted an important truth: rehabilitation is not only about serving time; it is also about restoring dignity, rebuilding relationships and rekindling hope.
For one special Father’s Day celebration, the Urdaneta District Jail Male Dorm became more than a correctional facility. It became a stage for second chances, where fathers were celebrated not for perfection, but for their continuing commitment to love, change and inspire.
As the applause echoed throughout the hall, it was clear that every participant had already won the hearts of those who mattered most, their families.