“Don’t lose hope, Marco. God will be with you. Trust in His plan,” my mother told me.
Honestly, it would be so much easier and simpler to just paint my life with that simple brush–that I did bad things and made wrong decisions that landed me in jail–but now that I have the chance to look back on my life, I realized that no life is ever simple, especially not mine.
I was in jail for seven years for drug possession and those were the darkest moments of my life but in the same way, that experience taught me a lot of things about life. About how your past need not define you and you can do a lot of things to turn things over as long as you don’t lose hope.
-Marco Toral
About the Author
My name is Marco Toral and I’m a former inmate.
Honestly, it would be so much easier and simpler to just paint my life with that simple brush–that I did
bad things and made wrong decisions that landed me in jail–but now that I have the chance to look
back on my life, I realized that no life is ever simple, especially not mine.
I was in jail for seven years for drug possession and those were the darkest moments of my life but in
the same way, that experience taught me a lot of things about life. About how your past need not define
you and you can do a lot of things to turn things over as long as you don’t lose hope.
Spending seven years in jail is not easy but what carried me through was hope, hope that one day, when
I come out, I’ll be able to make amends and I’ll be able to turn my life around. And it did as in a funny
twist of fate, I saw myself–a free man–going back to the jail of Cebu City not as an inmate but as a
consultant doing my best to create a better situation for the inmates just as I once was.
But before I talk more about that, it’s good to know how I got there, especially since my life was normal
until my bad choices upended everything.
MARCO TORAL
Author
INTRODUCING
My Autobiography
Seasoned by Stress
Marco Ouano Toral was a man whose life was mapped out for him as part of a prominent clan in Cebu but an arrest changed the course of his life and led him to play a crucial role in prison reform at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center after spending seven years as an inmate.
Now that he has opened yet another chapter in his colorful life, Marco looks back at his years as a businessman, an inmate, a jail consultant, and now as a semi-retired man who spends his days fishing.
This is the story of the man behind Netix’s Happy Jail. This is also a story of a man who never lost hope no matter what came his way. This is also a story of redemption and starting a new life. This is the story of Marco Toral.
Almost everyone in the States has this book,
it's time for you to get a copy!
Thank you sir.. i saw your documentary film on netflix... i am crying while im watching.. believe ko sa imung dedikasyon sa imung trabaho... salute you sir.. kumusta na kaha ron sila happy jail paba kaha ghapon sir nga wala naman ka... my big respect to you sir... GOD BLESS YOU AND TO YOUR FAMILY..
Hello Marco I have been watching Happy Jail and I wanted to write and say that I was incredibly blown away by your compassion and kindness to the inmates. How you ran the prison should be the way they are all are run worldwide. If people aren't treated with kindness, even if they have done bad things, they will never turn int/ 4, od people.
Sir Marco nakakainspire naman ng kwento nyo just wantched Happy Jail. Sad lang namatay si Rico and Jesse Castaneda sa huli please continue to inspire people..
sir, the docu on happy jail was inspiring. I was encouraged to watch it after my brother just went in there Tuesday this week, courtesy of PDEA. I was curious how the jail was ran. you did a great thing while being there. ayoayo sir. by the way, amiga nako si chit kay kauban mis NGO sa
Just saw the first 2 episodes bai. Good job !
Thank you po sir idol ! I just watched happy jail in Netflix
Marc, I'm watching Happy Jail right now. At Ford, my unit is called GREJ (gender, racial and ethnic justice) and we manage the mass incarceration program. We have a program that provides college education in jail called the Bard Prison Initiative. Anyway, I'm watching and I'm lettingg my colleagues watch it too. My colleague used to be incarcerated for 22 years and he has a film coming out also under Ken Burns. But hey! Congrats
Hi Marco. I watched Happy jail twice and had the same heartbroken feeling towards the end of the documentary. You did a great job in there and it shows in the faces of the inmates. Don't let anyone tell you any different, we are proud of you! Nanette and Bernie.
thank u sir marco just watch and inspired me your documentation in netflix.. your truly amazing guy sir.. Godbless u and uour family idol
Hi Marc! I just finished watching "Happy Jail" and it brought tears in my eyes... my memories sa manadaue city jail with laulau and with you come back. You are a good man Marco! D2 intown to mangayo ug sud an si laulau nimo eveytime nagdungan ta ug kaon sa payag sa jail:)) God sees everything!!! Goodluck to you and your whole family!!!!!
Thanks sa accept idol!! Your a kind hearted person.. I saw your netflex documentary last night... You rock the prison world!!!
I just watched the Netflix series, Happy Jail, sir! I salute you 100% may God bless you and your family sir.
Hello Boss, Saw your story in netflix. Congrats. Nice story and good job. Nice documentary sir
Sir I am so happy to k now you on Netflix, you are an extraordinary, my biggest salute to you. I am now one of your fan. Amping kanunay and I hope to see you around and have a picture with you
Marco. I just watched the complete episode of Happy Jail in Netflix. It really was an eye opener and a great documentary. Congratulations and best of luck to you.
Watched the Netflix documentary last night and was inspired about your leadership at the CPDRC. May God bless you! I'm a pastor based in the US but born in PI. Felt so bad for all those poor inmates who were there for minor cases and cannot afford bail, yet spending years before they can even get a court hearing. Hope your son, now a lawyer I assume, is doing advocacy to help those inmates. I can support through our foundation whatever noble intentions you and your son have. Please let me know.
Sir Ka hilak ko sa imuhang story.. Sir Im so Proud of you po. Sa Imuha leadership.. Very Nice. Hopefully sir ma meet tika in person para mag pa picture ko sa imoha.
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