pahinungod behind bars

Boluntarismo sa QuezBoluntarismo sa QuezBoluntarismo sa QuezBoluntarismo sa QuezBoluntarismo sa Quezon City on City on City on City on City Jai lJai lJai lJai lJai l

P a h i n u n g ó d B e h i n d B a r s:P a h i n u n g ó d B e h i n d B a r s:P a h i n u n g ó d B e h i n d B a r s:P a h i n u n g ó d B e h i n d B a r s:P a h i n u n g ó d B e h i n d B a r s:Boluntarismo sa QuezBoluntarismo sa QuezBoluntarismo sa QuezBoluntarismo sa QuezBoluntarismo sa Quezon City Jailon City Jailon City Jailon City Jailon City Jail

PPPPPahinungód Behind Bahinungód Behind Bahinungód Behind Bahinungód Behind Bahinungód Behind Barsarsarsarsars



UgnaUgnaUgnaUgnaUgnayyyyyan ng Pan ng Pan ng Pan ng Pan ng Pahinungód-Dilimanahinungód-Dilimanahinungód-Dilimanahinungód-Dilimanahinungód-Diliman

Opisina ng ChanselorOpisina ng ChanselorOpisina ng ChanselorOpisina ng ChanselorOpisina ng Chanselor

Unibersidad ng PilipinasUnibersidad ng PilipinasUnibersidad ng PilipinasUnibersidad ng PilipinasUnibersidad ng Pilipinas

Diliman, LDiliman, LDiliman, LDiliman, LDiliman, Lunsod Quezunsod Quezunsod Quezunsod Quezunsod Quezononononon

22222000000000011111



Karapatan sa Paglalathala © 2001

Ugnayan ng Pahinungód-Diliman

Opisina ng Chanselor

Coral Bldg. Lakandula cor Delos Reyes Sts.

Unibersidad ng Pilipinas

Diliman, Lunsod Quezon

ISBN 971-92208-2-1

Ma. TherMa. TherMa. TherMa. TherMa. Theresa L. De Villaesa L. De Villaesa L. De Villaesa L. De Villaesa L. De Villa

LLLLLedivina Vedivina Vedivina Vedivina Vedivina V. Cariño. Cariño. Cariño. Cariño. Cariño

Mga Patnugot

Ma. Abigail S. MerMa. Abigail S. MerMa. Abigail S. MerMa. Abigail S. MerMa. Abigail S. Mercadocadocadocadocado

Konsepto at Disenyo ng Aklat

AnthonAnthonAnthonAnthonAnthony John R. By John R. By John R. By John R. By John R. Balisialisialisialisialisi

Dibuho sa Pabalat

MarMarMarMarMarco Rco Rco Rco Rco Ruben Tuben Tuben Tuben Tuben T. Malto II. Malto II. Malto II. Malto II. Malto II

Mga Ilustrasyon

Nilimbag ng Regan Printers


TTTTTo those who seek to understand…o those who seek to understand…o those who seek to understand…o those who seek to understand…o those who seek to understand…

FFFFF. L. Jocano, . L. Jocano, . L. Jocano, . L. Jocano, . L. Jocano, Slum As A WSlum As A WSlum As A WSlum As A WSlum As A Waaaaay Of Lify Of Lify Of Lify Of Lify Of Lifeeeee, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1999997777755555

This book has been grThis book has been grThis book has been grThis book has been grThis book has been greatly inspireatly inspireatly inspireatly inspireatly inspired bed bed bed bed by the wy the wy the wy the wy the wororororords of Drds of Drds of Drds of Drds of Dr. F. F. F. F. Felipe Jocanoelipe Jocanoelipe Jocanoelipe Jocanoelipe Jocano

because wbecause wbecause wbecause wbecause we beliee beliee beliee beliee believvvvve understanding is the pre understanding is the pre understanding is the pre understanding is the pre understanding is the premise of an underemise of an underemise of an underemise of an underemise of an undertaking. Thistaking. Thistaking. Thistaking. Thistaking. This

time, hotime, hotime, hotime, hotime, howwwwweeeeevvvvvererererer, this book is dedicated..., this book is dedicated..., this book is dedicated..., this book is dedicated..., this book is dedicated...

to those who seek to understand... thrto those who seek to understand... thrto those who seek to understand... thrto those who seek to understand... thrto those who seek to understand... through vough vough vough vough volunteerism.olunteerism.olunteerism.olunteerism.olunteerism.

A. S. MerA. S. MerA. S. MerA. S. MerA. S. Mercado, cado, cado, cado, cado, PPPPPahinungód Dilimanahinungód Dilimanahinungód Dilimanahinungód Dilimanahinungód Diliman, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2000000000011111


PPPPPaunang Salitaaunang Salitaaunang Salitaaunang Salitaaunang Salitaiii

Napakaraming paraan upang maging boluntir sa Pahinungód Diliman. At kadalasan, marami

ang nahihikayat maging Pahinungód sa ilalim ng progamang Social Welfare, kung saan mga

bata ang kalimitang pinaglilingkuran, o di kaya ay sa Ecology Camp, upang magbigay halaga sa

pagpapanatili ng kaayusan ng kapaligiran. Pagkatapos ng kanilang kolehiyo, marami ring mga UP

gradweyt ang umaasang maging Gurong Pahinungód, sa hangarin nilang maglingkod sa ibayong pook

sa pamamagitan ng pagtuturo. Subalit kung minsan, may iilan din namang mga estudyante at guro ng

Unibersidad ang nangarap magbigay tulong sa paraang alam at kaya nila sa mga taong kalimitan ay

tinutukoy na “salot sa lipunan.” Ang mga taong binabansagang “kriminal” ng karamihan ang ninais

paglingkuran ng QuezQuezQuezQuezQuezon City Jail Pron City Jail Pron City Jail Pron City Jail Pron City Jail Projectojectojectojectoject at ito ang simulain ng aming kuwento.

Madaling maintindihan ng iba kung bakit kailangang tulungan ang mga batang may malubhang

sakit o di kaya ay napabayaan na ng kani-kanilang pamilya. Alam din ng karamihan sa atin kung bakit

dapat nating bigyan ng maagap na atensiyon ang ating kapaligiran. Naniniwala ang karamihan sa atin

sa kahalagahan ng edukasyon kung kaya’t kinakailangan ng marami pang dedikadong guro tungo sa

pagpapaunlad ng kaalaman. Ngunit, malimit ay mahirap maintindihan kung bakit kinakailangan ding

bigyan ng pansin ang mga pangangailangan ng mga taong nakakulong sa preso.

Sa pagbuo ng “P“P“P“P“Pahinungód Behind Bahinungód Behind Bahinungód Behind Bahinungód Behind Bahinungód Behind Bars: Boluntarismo sa Quezars: Boluntarismo sa Quezars: Boluntarismo sa Quezars: Boluntarismo sa Quezars: Boluntarismo sa Quezon City Jail,”on City Jail,”on City Jail,”on City Jail,”on City Jail,” mithiin namin sa

Pahinungód, kasama ang mga nagpasimuno sa adhikaing ito, lahat ng mga boluntir sa programa, at

mga preso sa QC Jail, ang magdulot ng kakaibang pagtanaw sa mga bilanggo at sa kanilang pamumuhay

sa loob. Pangarap din namin na maipakilala ang mga tao sa likod ng katagang “preso” at mag-udyok

ng panibagong pang-unawa sa kanila at sa iba pang katulad nila. Sa paraang ito, layunin din namin na

ipaunawa sa inyong mambabasa kung bakit pinili naming maglingkod sa mga taong lubos na

kinamumuhian at kinatatakutan ng marami.

Karamihan sa mga boluntir sa QC Jail Project ay sumali dahil ginusto nilang tahakin ang kakaibang

landas ng paglilingkod. Unique kasi ang kalimitang bansag sa programang ito o di kaya ay matapang

o brave ang pagtingin ng iba sa mga nagboboluntir dito. Mayroon din namang naging bahagi ng

programa dahil nakita nila ang kahalagahan ng paglilingkod kapalit ng pagsulat ng research paper para

sa kanilang kurso o sa pamamagitan ng Service Learning Option. Sinikap ng mga boluntir na ito

(kasama ng ilang preso at dating bilanggo na ngayon ay nakalaya na) na isulat ang kanilang karanasan

sa loob upang maibahagi ang kanilang mga natutunan bilang boluntir (at bilanggo) sa QC Jail at

magbigay linaw sa mga bagay na mahirap maintindihan ng karamihan. Sakop ng mga nailathalang

kuwento ang mga gawaing Pahinungód sa Quezon City Jail mula taong 1997 hanggang 2001.

Makatulong sana ang lathalaing ito upang ating higit na makilala ang mga taong madalas ay

pagkaitan ng kinakailangang pang-unawa at makita rin kung paano maiiugnay ang mga natutunan sa

klasrum sa labas nito.


MensaheMensaheMensaheMensaheMensahe v

To our dear readers

Producing a book on the impact of a program which some consider insignificant to the aca

demic life of the students and faculty is indeed no mean task. But with the inspiration,

support, and steadfastness of the student and faculty volunteers, and that of the coordinator – the

book is here – a record of the seven-year experiences of working and learning with the QC Jail

inmates, officials and other volunteers.

This book is a manifesto of the commitment and dedication of people in the University who

have actualized one of the University’s mission – serving the people.

We would like to thank the following volunteers for making the QC Jail Program one of the

strongest programs of Pahinungod Diliman.

AbbAbbAbbAbbAbby Mery Mery Mery Mery Mercadocadocadocadocado, the coordinator, for keeping faith in the program and infecting the volunteers

with commitment and belief in the value of human dignity;

Ma’am LMa’am LMa’am LMa’am LMa’am Leddy Cariñoeddy Cariñoeddy Cariñoeddy Cariñoeddy Cariño and Ma’am Maricon AlfMa’am Maricon AlfMa’am Maricon AlfMa’am Maricon AlfMa’am Maricon Alfiler iler iler iler iler for initiating the program and maintaining

the interest and enthusiasm in serving one of the marginalized sectors of society and in living the

principle of good public governance;

MarMarMarMarMarge Pge Pge Pge Pge Pambidambidambidambidambid, the first coordinator, for doing the spadework (initial meetings, coordinating

with partners, preparing documentation, etc.)

Sol Iglesias Sol Iglesias Sol Iglesias Sol Iglesias Sol Iglesias and Anne BAnne BAnne BAnne BAnne Barlis arlis arlis arlis arlis for providing the initiative by making the initial visits thus the

opportunity to help;

Sir OskSir OskSir OskSir OskSir Oskee Fee Fee Fee Fee Ferrerrerrerrerrer er er er er and Ma’am GrMa’am GrMa’am GrMa’am GrMa’am Grace Dace Dace Dace Dace Dalisaalisaalisaalisaalisayyyyy, previous Diliman directors who provided initial

motivation and assistance in all possible forms;

AAAAAttyttyttyttytty. Alber. Alber. Alber. Alber. Albert Muyt Muyt Muyt Muyt Muyooooottttt and the stafstafstafstafstaff of the Institute of Human Righf of the Institute of Human Righf of the Institute of Human Righf of the Institute of Human Righf of the Institute of Human Rights, College of Lats, College of Lats, College of Lats, College of Lats, College of Law w w w w for the

fruitful sessions with inmates and volunteers;

Diliman fDiliman fDiliman fDiliman fDiliman facultyacultyacultyacultyaculty: (NCPAG – Erwin Alampay, Minerva Baylon, Edna Co, Lily Domingo; CSSP –

Mark Reese; CHE – Bianca Villarino, Mila Querubin) for inspiring their students to make their

learnings more meaningful;


Student vStudent vStudent vStudent vStudent volunteers olunteers olunteers olunteers olunteers from the following Diliman colleges: CAL, CHK, College of Music, CHE,

CSSP, NCPAG, College of Law for keeping the program dynamic, vibrant and relevant;

FrFrFrFrFr. T. T. T. T. Tononononony Ranada y Ranada y Ranada y Ranada y Ranada of PRESO Foundation for maintaining the network and believing in the UP

Pahinungod;

The QC GoQC GoQC GoQC GoQC Govvvvvernment ernment ernment ernment ernment thru then Mayor Ismael Mathay Jr., for providing the moral support;

The officials and staff of the BurBurBurBurBureau of Jail Management and Peau of Jail Management and Peau of Jail Management and Peau of Jail Management and Peau of Jail Management and Penologyenologyenologyenologyenology, and the QC JailQC JailQC JailQC JailQC Jail

wwwwwararararardens dens dens dens dens (past and present) for believing in the program and the volunteers;

RaRaRaRaRaymund Narymund Narymund Narymund Narymund Naragagagagag or KKKKKuyuyuyuyuya Raa Raa Raa Raa Raymund ymund ymund ymund ymund for the steadfast support and belief in the utter goodness of

the humankind;

Zak, VZak, VZak, VZak, VZak, Venus, Carlin, Hazenus, Carlin, Hazenus, Carlin, Hazenus, Carlin, Hazenus, Carlin, Hazel, Janice, Horel, Janice, Horel, Janice, Horel, Janice, Horel, Janice, Horace, Gloria, Jerlyn, Detace, Gloria, Jerlyn, Detace, Gloria, Jerlyn, Detace, Gloria, Jerlyn, Detace, Gloria, Jerlyn, Det and the other volunteers for

staying on and believing in volunteerism as a significant part of their growth as students and human

beings;

TTTTTuni uni uni uni uni and Mar Mar Mar Mar Marccccc for taking on the challenge of doing the significant other tasks to meet the

deadline and have this volume out on schedule;

Sa lahat ng pangklahat ng pangklahat ng pangklahat ng pangklahat ng pangkat sa QCJailat sa QCJailat sa QCJailat sa QCJailat sa QCJail, maraming salamat sa inyong taos-pusong pagtulong, pakikiisa,

pakikibalikat, at paniniwala sa kabutihang loob ng kapwa.

Sa stafstafstafstafstaff ng Pf ng Pf ng Pf ng Pf ng Pahinungod Diliman (noon at ngaahinungod Diliman (noon at ngaahinungod Diliman (noon at ngaahinungod Diliman (noon at ngaahinungod Diliman (noon at ngayyyyyon)on)on)on)on) sa masaya at makabuluhang talakayan sa

samu’t saring problema at hamon sa pagpapadaloy ng mga programa;

Sa administradministradministradministradministrasyasyasyasyasyon ng UP Dilimanon ng UP Dilimanon ng UP Dilimanon ng UP Dilimanon ng UP Diliman, sa patuloy ng suporta at paniniwala sa kahalagahan ng

Ugnayan ng Pahinungod sa Unibersidad;

Sa inyong lahat at sa mga di nabanggit ngunit naging malaking bahagi sa aming patuloy na paglago

MARAMING SMARAMING SMARAMING SMARAMING SMARAMING SALAMAALAMAALAMAALAMAALAMAT MULI -T MULI -T MULI -T MULI -T MULI -

BUONG PUSONG INIHAHANDOG ANG LIBRBUONG PUSONG INIHAHANDOG ANG LIBRBUONG PUSONG INIHAHANDOG ANG LIBRBUONG PUSONG INIHAHANDOG ANG LIBRBUONG PUSONG INIHAHANDOG ANG LIBRONG ITONG ITONG ITONG ITONG ITO SO SO SO SO SA INYA INYA INYA INYA INYONG LAHAONG LAHAONG LAHAONG LAHAONG LAHATTTTT.....

TTTTTerererereret L. de Villaet L. de Villaet L. de Villaet L. de Villaet L. de Villa

DisyDisyDisyDisyDisyembrembrembrembrembre 2e 2e 2e 2e 2000000000011111


Ledivina V. CariñoLLLLLessons fressons fressons fressons fressons from Prisonom Prisonom Prisonom Prisonom Prison

Since 1997, the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod has been sending volunteers into Quezon City Jail as

paralegals, literacy tutors, and leadership training facilitators. Among the volunteers are

students who take the Service Learning Option in my Administrative Ethics class. Through SLO,

students learn while they serve and serve while they learn. I grade them on the basis of how better

they have understood Immanuel Kant, Socrates, and other ethical philosophers because they have

made Quezon City Jail their teacher. I assess how much they have learned about Public Administra-

tion and Governance by serving in the Jail. I do not judge how well they serve; that is between them,

the inmates they serve, and God. But I am confident of the quality of their service, based on the

feedback I receive from the inmates and the Pahinungod office, and what I see of their developing

personhood.

Last Monday, the Diliman Pahinungod office sent me the first 16 articles for our book on Quezon

City Jail. These are the students’ reflections and assessments of their experience as pahinungods - a

Cebuano term that is the closest Filipino equivalent to the word “oblation.” To be a pahinungod is to

make an offering of self, and is an iskolar ng bayan’s attempt to be the living answer to Rizal’s

question: where are the youth who will sacrifice their golden hours for the good of their country?

These pahinungods, these children of the Oblation say as did Isaiah: here we are, send us.

Since the Church of the Risen Lord is embarking on a prison ministry, I thought it opportune to

share some of the lessons we have learned from being a volunteer “batang city jail” for a semester. It

may also answer some questions I have heard from some of our members and other people from UP

O Lord, our Lord, how marvelous is thy name in all the earth…

When I consider the heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon andthe stars which thou has ordained,

What is man, that thou art mindful of him, and the son of man, thatthou visitest him?

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and has crownedhim with glory and honor…

Psa. 8: 1-8.

vii


about why we should go to QC Jail - or any other jail for that matter - at all.

I was in prison and you visited me.

The first reason is the biblical injunction about serving the least of our brethren. A Catholic

priest who heads the PRESO Foundation, a multi-sectoral NGO that focuses on prisoners’ rehabilita-

tion, Fr. Tony Ranada, puts the issue succinctly: a jail is primarily a place of the poor. Most inmates of

QC Jail are people awaiting trial. A small group is charged with non-bailable offenses. The bigger

percentage would not be there at all if they had any money for bail. If your offense is bailable, you will

not suffer staying with 1,500 other people in an area meant for 600. You will not sleep on a mat

where your half-stretched arms touch the bed above you, which (by the way) has two other beds

above it. You will not choose to subsist on a food allowance of P30 a day, eating your slop within a few

feet of the toilet. You will not want to clean that toilet just to get a share of the food that other

inmates receive from their visitors. But you will have no choice, if you are poor.

Innocent or guilty, is this any way to treat a human being?

As in the outside world, where there is poverty, inequality and injustice follow. We are all aware

of a famous prisoner whose major complaint is the lack of curtains in his Fort Sto. Domingo bunga-

low. In QC Jail, while the average prisoner sleeps in a quadruple-decker, the leader of a cell gets to

cordon off as much as a fourth of that cell for his living quarters - where he can put his electric fan,

tv, stereo, and sometimes also his wife and children. He is regularly visited by a lawyer and he never

misses a court hearing.

Meanwhile, the rest of the inmates don’t even know the status of their case. This is why they

need paralegals. It is the pahinungods who get their case numbers and then go through the labyrinth

of the bureaucracy. From the warden and jail personnel who sometimes intentionally miss telling the

inmates that they have a hearing today because the jail does not have a vehicle to take them to court.

From the public attorneys who have time to play poker in their offices but not the time to work on

their cases or talk with their clients. Then there are the judges who treat the case perfunctorily

because the accused are poor and ignorant anyway.

Somehow, although these experiences are duplicated many times, the pahinungods do not end

up disillusioned. Instead, they come to me with eyes shining when they are able to get a case moving,

or get the family of the inmates to visit. Or better yet, when they are able to have an inmate released.

Nakapagpalaya ako! They exult, echoing Mel Gibson’s cry in Braveheart: FREEDOM!

This happens sometimes because the pahinungod’s interest has prodded the bureaucracy to

conclude the case. Sometimes, it is because their research showed that the person has served time


in prison longer than his actual punishment had he been convicted. For instance, one inmate was

released after being in prison for two years, when the maximum sentence for his offense - had he

been found guilty - would have been only one year. And he staunchly maintains he is innocent so he

should not even have served a day in jail.

Let me not romanticize the prisoners because they are not necessarily faultless. One student was

able to get an inmate out within the first six weeks of his pahinungod service, only to meet him again

just before the semester ended, because, alas, the man was caught in a robbery again. Another

student learned an unlikely explanation for recidivism: some inmates value freedom less than three

meals and a roof over their heads. The jail is crowded, dirty, hot, smelly, has leaking roofs, riots at

the drop of a hat. The food is dismal. Can you imagine people choosing that intentionally because it

is better than what they have outside? This also explains why there are so many children inside the

jail. When a parent is detained, visitors would sneak in the children so they can also have free board

and lodging. After that, the guards would simply ignore them in the jail, although if you ask them

officially, they will swear that children are not allowed even to visit, let alone live inside the cells.

The other ills of the outside world are magnified inside the jail. There are innocents who

become criminals in jail - raping or harassing females and homosexuals, alleviating their loneliness by

sniffing drugs, fighting their powerlessness by being quarrelsome, or joining violent gangs.

But the jail is not a microcosm of society only in the negative way. Because there are many

examples of nobility among the inmates we have met. Raymond Narag is a graduate of my College

who has been languishing in jail since 1995 when he was accused of the murder of Dennis Venturina,

then the chair of our Student Council. Dennis was a sure cum laude, the only son of average-earning

professionals, the hope of his family for a better future. He had joined a fraternity where he was

dubbed as an intellectual - as against their warrior class - as a way of ensuring that future. Raymond’s

biography is practically the same, except that instead of being the victim of a fraternity rumble, he

became the accused. It is taking him more than six years to prove his innocence. Charged with a

non-bailable offense, he was committed to Quezon City Jail in 1995. Throughout his confinement,

Raymond has made himself useful. He was acquitted in the Student Disciplinary Tribunal but was

charged in court anyway. UP refused to graduate him cum laude until he was cleared in court. He

had nevertheless enrolled in the Open University for advanced master’s degree credits. He has been

the mainstay of the leadership, literacy and skills training programs in the jail. He helps train the

Pahinungod paralegals. He solicited an XT computer so that he could improve the prison’s record

system. In one of my visits, one nun was so overwhelmed by the magnitude and quality of Raymond’s

volunteerism that she hugged him and said: “Oh Raymond. I hope you never leave us.” (That’s the

worst thing you can say to a prisoner!)

There are other heartening examples of the best of humanity in the jail. Once I attended the

closing of a training program there. I was almost irritated by the Mayora of the Jail, a native of

ix


Cagayan de Oro City, charged with estafa, who had been asked to give the closing prayer. She kept

badgering me on what to say, where to stand, whether to look at the audience or not, and so forth

and so on. In my most patient style, I answered her questions, but I silently thought: KSP, kulang sa

pansin yata ito. However, she surprised me with her beautiful, heartfelt prayer in perfect Tagalog,

ending with “sa ngalan ng aming manunubos na si Kristo Jesus.” Then she sat down beside me and

asked if what she did was all right. I was genuinely touched by her prayer, and said so. Then she told

me: “I was so afraid I might offend someone. You see, I am a Muslim.”

Such displays of tolerance and respect for another’s religion are sorely needed by the outside

world in these trying times, when Muslims feel the heat from even devout Christians, who label all of

them as bandits and Abu Sayyah, allowing the age-old prejudices to come through without any

apology. We have much to learn from this inmate. And from many other inmates, who because of

poverty, or passion, or a failing of the social structure, are now in the city jail. There, but for the

grace of God, go you and I.

And if you feel belittled by being placed in the same category as prisoners, let me recall for you

the analogy of Dwight Moody, the famous preacher. According to him, the difference between our

sins and theirs is similar to the view one gets from the Empire State Building, or the Petronas Tower

in Malaysia, now the tallest building in the world. When you look down from the top of these

buildings to the people below, you can barely make out the difference between a Shaquille O’Neal

and a little boy, or between a Lincoln Continental and a Volkswagen. He said that is like the view of

God about our badness - or goodness. From the commanding heights, we all look like ants. It does

not matter if we are supposed to be saint or sinner by the standards of the world. Judge not, the

Bible says, that ye be not judged… For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

The prison allows us to appreciate this truth, even as we learn, as we meet them close up, that

there is a basic goodness and humanity in everyone.

As you have done this to the least of these my brethren,you have done it unto me.

But what is it that we do to our brethren? Jeffrey Roden, a former inmate and now my student

assistant, describes the situation in this way: “The Quezon City jail… is where one can find the

gargantuan problems of this country, perhaps in a miniscule scale, but no less systemic and

systematic. It is one big theater where one can see all the problems of our society encapsulated in a

diorama of sorts… There are human rights abuses, inadequate food, water and shelter space. Also,

there are problems in garbage collection, division and gang competition. Of course, the heart of all

these problems is the ignorance of inmates being continuously exploited by the corruption and

unscrupulousness of the officials.


“I remember it being said in the movie Con Air, that in order to measure how civilized a country

is, you merely have to look at the way it treats its prisoners.”

By that measure, just how civilized, how Christian, are we?

Where are the youth who will sacrifice their golden hours…?

Jeffrey has discussed the world’s usual behavior towards the jail. Now let me tell you about the

people who minister to the inmates. They are young and adventurous, usually idealistic, but not

always. Every semester I read in their ref lection papers confessions of the wrong things that led them

to volunteer to the Quezon City Jail. Some join because their crush is joining, and it offers many

occasions to get to hold her hand when she is scared by the tough inmates. Some volunteer to get on

the good graces of the teacher. Some think it is easier to do than a term paper from which I exempt

all service learners. By the time they are climbing the stairs of Quezon City Hall for the third time on

the same day, they know it is much more difficult than reading tomes in the library. But at that point,

they are already hooked, by the sob stories of the prisoners - which may or may not be true - and by

the challenge that replaces their fear of the jail. They may not have volunteered for the right reasons,

but they come out of jail voluntarism a different person.

I have learned from Virginia Davide - the recently retired head of NEDA’s voluntary service

agency and the wife of Filipino of the Year Chief Justice Hilario Davide - that one should never worry

why people volunteer. Gigi further says: Worry only if the experience does not change them. And in

the space of one semester, they do change.

No one leaves the pahinungod jail service without having learned for themselves the great lesson

from the theologian Reinhold Niebuhr: “Justice which is only justice soon degenerates into some-

thing less than justice. It must be saved by something which is more than justice.” Even in the cleanest

and least corrupt prisons, where strict adherence to the letter of the law masquerades as justice, it

must be saved by something which is more than justice. This is what Fr. Brian Wren calls “loving

justice,” justice that is not aimed at avenging the wrong done against society, but instead lifts up its

perpetrators, recognizes their humanity, and sees in them the face of God. Let me paraphrase what

one of my students, JunJun Binay, said he learned from Quezon City Jail. “You remember,” he told

us, “that practically alone in this class, I defended the death penalty as both legal and moral in the

beginning of this semester. But having served at QC Jail, I find I cannot allow any one of them - even

the most ruthless - to be killed by the state. Our justice must be rehabilitative justice.”

Others report being more serene about their lives and more able to face problems, after due

comparison of their little problems - lovers’ quarrels, disputes with parents, the dilemma of study

versus gimmicks - with the enormity of imprisonment. Many mention getting from the fortitude of

xi


the inmates the courage to confront the uncaring lawyers and wardens as well as the bullies of their

own lives. Many learn first hand what “public interest” means and the need for public service reform,

as they see up close the inequality and unfairness of the social structure.

But then, you protest, you are able to help only a few people. Let me tell you a story I first heard

from Lorraine Salazar, a pahinungod in another project.

A woman walked along a beach for her exercise, back and forth, one kilometer each way. The

beach had many starfishes that struggled on the sands; if they cannot get back to the water, they

would die. As she walked, she would throw every starfish on her path back to the sea. Daily she

would do this and daily, there would be new starfishes. A friend of hers laughed at her efforts,

ridiculing her for the futility of it all. You can never save all the starfishes, her friend said. But, she

replied as she rescued yet another starfish, it is important to this starfish.

It is important to each human being we touch.

ConclusionsConclusionsConclusionsConclusionsConclusions

So this is what the jail has taught us. First that it is a microcosm of society, where in a small

crowded space gather all the banes of our existence - poverty, inequality, injustice, enslavement,

abuse. But it is also like society as many people rise above these ills - where we find inmates and

volunteers giving us models of tolerance, compassion, caring, justice, service, love.

Second, it mirrors what we make of our society. We now think of hospitals as centers of

wellness because although we treat the sick there, their main function must be to prevent further

pain and misery. Can we think of our prisons as centers of justice, where, although we put there

those whom we think have broken the law, their main function must be to prevent further criminal-

ity, to rehabilitate those who have been wrong, and not to allow to sink into evil those who have been

wrongly accused? But how many of us care that our civilization and Christianity are so poorly

mirrored in our prisons?

Third, when we serve in the jail, we become better people, not because we find out how terrible

and how sinful the inmates there are, but because the jail and the prisoners themselves are good

teachers. They show us courage and patience, they warn us to guard our anger, they teach repen-

tance and forgiveness, they show us kindness, what it means to be human. And as we criticize the

social structure and cultural weaknesses that are perpetrated in the jail, we understand that we

cannot be whole if we let revenge, corruption and abuse to ran our lives and our country. The public

interest demands our compassion. The quest for justice calls for our love. We become more fully

human as we serve “the least of these our brethren.” This is why Jesus makes visiting prisoners a

measure of whether we really follow him or not.


Our text asks: What is man, what are human beings, that you God, are mindful of them? The

prison ministry goes to the core of this question as it teaches us that every person, in jail or out, is

worth our attention, is worth our loving justice. Because every person, not just the so-called

righteous, meaning those who have never been caught, all of us sons and daughters of Adam and

Eve, were made a little lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor.

O Lord, our Lord, how marvelous is your name in all the earth! Amen.

Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for youfrom the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave memeat. I was thirsty and ye gave me drink. I was a stranger, and ye took mein. Naked, and ye clothed me. I was sick, and ye visited me. I was in prison,and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying:

Lord, when saw we thee a stranger and took thee in? Or naked, andclothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you,Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, yehave done it unto me.

Matt. 25: 31-40.

xiii


Mga NilalamanMga NilalamanMga NilalamanMga NilalamanMga NilalamanPaunang Salita iii

Mensahe v

Lessons from prison vii

Mga Kuwentong Pahinungód 1The beginnings/ Ako bilang batang city jail/ Si Aiza/ Salamat po!

Attorney/ Service at commitment/ Why volunteer?

Detinadong komunidad/ Ang aking karanasang Pahinungód sa loob

Beyond these four walls/ Cheyrman/ Tulong/ A sense of freedom

Mga Kuwento Sa Loob 41Bilanggo/ The practice/A jail love story

Pangkatan ka ba?/ Rancho... atbpang salitang loob

Filipino values that thrive at the QC Jail

Mga Kuwento Sa Logbook at Panulaan 77Of skies, jails, moon and freedom

Si Panyang/ Si Gorio

Feelings/ An expected visit

Hiram na buhay/ Logged notes

x v


1

The beginnings

Ako bilang batang city jail

Si Aiza

Salamat po!

Attorney

Service at commitment

Why volunteer?

Detinadong komunidad

Ang aking karanasang Pahinungód sa loob

Beyond these four walls

Cheyrman

Tulong

A sense of freedom

Mga Kuwentong Pahinungód


The beginningsThe beginningsThe beginningsThe beginningsThe beginnings

What may have started as a U.P. tragedy resulted in a program that offers voluntary

assistance from the University constituents to one of the most misjudged sectors of

society—the people of Quezon City Jail.

On Dec. 6, 1994, Scintilla Juris members allegedly attacked Sigma Rhoan Dennis Venturina with

baseball bats and lead pipes while he was having lunch at a popular barbecue kitchenette behind the

UP main library. According to reports, Venturina fell into a coma after sustaining severe concussions

and eventually died. Dennis Venturina was then a senior Public Administration student and chair of

the College Student Council. Both victims of this tragic incident—Venturina and the person who was

positively identified to be one of the main suspects— are students of Public Administration.

Two years after the death of Venturina, Dr. Maricon Alfiler, Secretary of the then College of

Public Administration, together with her husband and members of the College Student Council—Sol

Iglesias and Anne Barlis, decided to visit Raymund Narag. Narag is a UP-CPA graduate and one of the

two Scintilla Juris members still awaiting trial in the said jail while their nine other fraternity brothers

who were also involved are now out on bail.

“What happened to Dennis was really terrible. It triggered the whole crisis in the College, tapos

matindi... We had to have counselors helping the students… processing… They were all emotionally

affected by the death of Dennis. Panahon ‘yon ni Dean Tapales and I was the College Secretary, and

as a College Sec, I was close to the student government, the students were coming to me… so I

thought we needed a healing process.” Dr. Alfiler remembers the tragic incident that prompted her

and the students to visit Narag at the QC Jail.

She further explained, “We didn’t feel that we should condemn. Tingin namin they (Narag &

Venturina) were both victims of the system that was very violent and macho. Binisita namin si Raymund,

in a way, to bring cheers kasi Christmas season ‘yon, pero providential talaga ang pagkikita namin ni

Fr. Tony. That paved the way for us to team up with the PRESO Foundation.”

It was during this historic visit that Dr. Alfiler met Fr. Tony Ranada, the president of PRESO

Foundation. Upon knowing that the University of the Philippines has a volunteer program, Fr.

Ranada challenged the UP community to offer Pahinungód work to the QC Jail. Dr. Alfiler proposed

It may not be known to most of the present volunteers, but the Quezon City Jail Project would not have become one of

Pahinungód’s major and longest running programs had not some people had the courage to come up with a different way of serving while

educating at the same time. Get to know these people and their stories that marked the birth of the Quezon City Jail Project.

2


the idea to Dr. Ledivina Cariño who was then the System Director of

the Ugnayan ng Pahinungód System and a faculty of the same college.

The latter thought the project may be directly conducted by the CPA

as its Pahinungód project.

Dr. Cariño went to the jail upon the invitation of Dr. Alfiler. She

recalls her first visit and how she was able to distinguish Narag, though

she had never met him before, amidst the crowds of people in the jail

compound.

“I remember there was this distinguished-looking man, standing

straight, wearing a white shirt. Upon seeing him, I immediately knew

it was Raymund. Nevertheless, I was shocked to know that I was right!

I thought, how could I make out a UP student in such circumstances?

Parang di yata tama ‘yon,” Dr. Cariño ends with an amazed laugh.

She recalled her first visit being on an Ash Wednesday so there

was a mass going on in the jail’s chapel. Dr. Carino disclosed that

although she was prepared for the worst, she wasn’t ready to see

what she witnessed the minute she entered the jail premises.

“I saw a big pile of garbage and it was in a place where water was

running through it. I was overcome by the smell. Then there were so

many people roaming around the area. There were children and I

even saw at least three men with ‘dos por dos’. It didn’t look like a jail

at all! It was more like a town plaza!”

Dr. Cariño related that as faculty of the College (where both stu-

dent victims of the incident belong), they felt they had the moral

responsibility to deal with the Venturina case—finishing the case and

caring for the accused. Although it worried them what the Venturinas

would think of the idea, they reasoned that they were not proclaiming

the innocence of the accused. “But it cannot be denied that it was

Raymund’s confinement in that jail that drove us there,” Dr. Cariño

admitted. She said that Narag is a born leader and that even before

the Pahinungód program had begun he was already trying to start to

serve the inmates.

3


Although initially proposed to be the College of Public Administration’s undertaking, the jail

project eventually became one of Pahinungód’s programs when Dr. Cariño brought up the idea to

one of her staff, Margarita Pambid, who became the first coordinator for the project.

“Ma’am Leddy handed me this note about the possibility of a jail program. A few days later, I

found myself writing the concept paper for the QC Jail Project,” relates Pambid.

When asked why the five components— paralegal, counseling, functional literacy, livelihood and

research—Pambid said the inmates were already conducting related activities in the jail to address

these needs. She added that although the inmates expressed their primary need for paralegal assis-

tance, people behind the program also thought to support the functional literacy aspect since they

were already having classes for the interested students. Narag, on the other hand, suggested that

since they had an on-going livelihood program, the inmates asked for assistance in terms of marketing

the finished products. The counseling component evolved way before the Pahinungód program in the

jail has started. A group of UP students from the College of Education majoring in Counseling went

to QC Jail for their practicum through the coordination of Pambid. Narag said that although the

project hadn’t been officially launched yet, the inmates were already identifying all the UP students

doing volunteer service in their area as Pahinungóds. Hence, during the conceptualization of the

project, the proponents thought to continue the counseling part, too. The project proponents also

anticipated written outputs from the volunteers so they added the research component in the pro-

gram concept. The idea was to collate all the researches that would come out from the project

deemed as helpful in improving the inmates’ condition and the jail management.

Yet according to the main project proponent, “That wasn’t the original concept of the program.

Nag-evolve na lang into those five components.” Dr. Alfiler disclosed that they initially planned for it

to be a Public Administration project to help the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. She

further revealed, “It was meant to be a management structure study, but it evolved because the BJMP

was not open to the idea of opening the records to the students.”

Apprehensions concerning the security of those who will volunteer to the project were also

discussed. According to Dr. Cariño, “The faculty from our College weren’t worried at all. Ganyan

naman dito sa College, kasi it’s really for public service. Ako nga yata ang pinakatakot noon. So the

risks or difficulties do not face the faculty, the question was who was going to do it?” Nonetheless,

she said that they did consider the security of the volunteers. Therefore, they tapped the office that

heads the jail management—the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. According to the Memo-

randum of Agreement signed on October 2,1997, the Bureau, then under the leadership of Col.

Josue Engaño, shall “ensure and take the lead role in maintaining the security and safety of volun-

teers” and “provide a safe space for counseling of one or two individuals at a time for the counseling

component of the project” among its other agreed responsibilities in the implementation of the

4


program. When this was brought up with Narag, he said even before this official agreement there was already an

understanding among the detainees that they will ensure the security of the volunteers the minute the stepped into

their community.

Other than the BJMP, the MOA for the project also involved

the Quezon City Government signed by then Mayor Ismael

Mathay, and the PRESO Foundation, signed by Fr. Anthony

Ranada. After its launching on September 19, 1997, the QC Jail

Project was turned over to Pahinungód Diliman for its imple-

mentation. Dr. Grace Aguiling-Dalisay, then the Pahinungód

Diliman Director, graciously accepted the challenge and was the

person who supported me in becoming the new coordinator

for the QC Jail Project. The first batch of Pahinungóds to the

QC Jail were students of the College of Public Administration.

The CPA-Student Council through Anne Barlis then played a major

role in promoting the project and recruiting volunteers to this

new undertaking. Eventually, Pahinungód Diliman took full con-

trol of the program with minimal support from the CPA-Student

Council.

Since then, the program has blossomed. Dr. Alfiler shared

some of her views why students volunteer to this project.

“Ang nakita ko sa mga students, they never realized how

oppressed the members or the people who are in the Quezon

City Jail really are… that they are victims of our social system, of

social justice… when the students go there, somehow naa-affect

ang kanilang soul… their hearts… kaya sila pabalik-balik na

nagboboluntir doon.” Dr. Cariño, on the one hand, believes,

“Just being there is a conversion!”

Tracing the beginnings of an endeavor serves to remind us

of its significance. Now nearing its fourth year, the Quezon City

Jail Project faces an uncertain future within the University.

Looming questions on its effectiveness and worthiness of imple-

mentation may hamper us as we struggle to meet the increasing

demands of the program, but to all those who seek to under-

stand, we offer you our stories.

5

QC Jail History

The Quezon City Jail was established

during the administration of the late Presi-

dent Manuel L. Quezon in 1935. Located

at Brgy. Kamuning within the Quezon City

Police Force (QCPF) compound, it started

as a reformatory jail for the confinement

of 15-20 offenders. The building made of

wood and nipa initially came about in a

compound with only 1,854.44 sq.m.

In 1947, the Quezon City government

took full control of the jail and was

manned by the QCPF. When RA 6975,

otherwise known as the Department of the

Interior and Local Government (DILG)

Law, which took effect on Jan. 2, 1991, the

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology

under the wardenship of Supt. Temistocles

Jamisolamin formally took over the respon-

sibilities of the administration and super-

vision of the QC Jail operations from the

jurisdiction of the Philippine National Po-

lice. The Jail comprises a total of 40 cells

in the old building. The construction and

the opening of a new building in the area

added 20 more.

Based on troop organization and

equipment, the QC Jail has an actual

strength of 155 BJMP personnel to consti-

tute part of the security, custody and con-

trol of about 2,000 offenders awaiting tri-

als in the different courts of Quezon City.

Ma. Abigail MerMa. Abigail MerMa. Abigail MerMa. Abigail MerMa. Abigail Mercado based on intercado based on intercado based on intercado based on intercado based on intervievievievieviews with Lws with Lws with Lws with Lws with Ledivina Cariño, Maricon Alfedivina Cariño, Maricon Alfedivina Cariño, Maricon Alfedivina Cariño, Maricon Alfedivina Cariño, Maricon Alfiler & Mariler & Mariler & Mariler & Mariler & Marge Pge Pge Pge Pge Pambidambidambidambidambid


Matapos ang mahabang pagbabalik-tanaw sa mga nangyari mula nang ako’y magboluntir sa

QC Jail Project, ang katagang ito ni Mother Teresa ang unang pumasok sa aking isipan.

Dahil kami’y nasa aspektong paralegal pa lamang, mga simpleng bagay lang ang mga ginagawa ng

boluntir. Nagbibigay kami ng form sa mga inmates. Dito nila inilalagay ang mga mahahalagang

impormasyon na kailangan naming malaman tulad ng branch number, kung saan nakabinbin ang kaso

nila, kung ano ang kaso at kung may abugado silang galing sa PAO o kaya’y pribadong abugado.

Pagkatapos nito ay pupunta kami sa QC Hall of Justice upang alamin ang estado ng kaso, kung kailan

ang huli at susunod na hearing, at iba pang kinakailangang impormasyon ng inmates. Sunod dito ay

babalik kami sa kulungan upang alamin muli ang mga hinaing ng bilanggo tungkol sa kanyang kaso.

Maaari kaming mag-counsel sa bahaging ito pero hindi puwedeng magbigay ng legal advice. Kung

kinakailangan naming makausap ang abugado ng inmate upang tanungin kung nakapag-apply na siya

ng probation o kaya’y iparating ang mga hinaing ng inmate, ito ay ginagawa namin. Ganyan kadali ang

proseso ng paralegal. Ang problema nga lamang sa aming mga boluntir ay nakakaubos ito ng aming

oras at kung minsan ay dumarating ang pagkapagod. Hindi ko inaalintana ang pagod at oras dahil

mahal ko at masaya ako sa ginagawa ko.

Bakit nga ba ako nag-boluntir? Bakit tuwing Martes at Miyerkules ay nasa QC Jail ako o kaya’y sa

QC Hall of Justice sa halip na nagpapakasaya o gumagala sa shopping malls tutal ay wala naman akong

klase? Ang pagiging boluntir ko ay nakakapagdulot sa akin ng ligaya na hindi matutumbasan ng panonood

ng sine, pagpunta sa disco o paggala sa mga shopping malls. Ito ang konsepto ng altruismo. Dahil sa

pagmamahal ko sa aking kapwa, may kasiyahan akong nararamdaman kapag tumutulong ako sa

kanila. Wala akong hinihintay na kapalit, pagkilala o kabayaran sa aking ginagawa. Ang tanging

kompensasyon ko lamang ay makitang masaya ang aking mga natutulungan at nararamdaman ko sa

aking sarili na ako ay may silbi at kahit na sa munting paraan ay nakakapagdulot ako ng pagbabago sa

buhay ng ibang tao. Sabi nga ni Charles Walcott, “the quality of a man’s life is measured by how

deeply he has touched the lives of others.”

Sa ating kultura, ang kulungan ay simbolo ng kasamaan, pagdurusa at dito napupunta ang mga

taong halang ang kaluluwa. Ganito kalimitado ang pagtingin natin sa bilangguan kaya kapag nalaman

natin na ang isang tao ay bilanggo o naging bilanggo, nababawasan ang respeto at pagtitiwala natin sa

kanya. Hindi natin nakikita ang katotohanang hindi lahat ng nakapiit ay nagkasala sa batas at ang mga

bilanggo ay nagnanasa rin na magkaroon ng bagong buhay.

AkAkAkAkAko bilang batang city jailo bilang batang city jailo bilang batang city jailo bilang batang city jailo bilang batang city jail

“We can do no great things—only small things with great love.”—Mother Teresa

6


Ang pinakamatagal na pagtigil o pamamalagi sa QC Jail ay anim na

taon. Ang mga nahatulan na ng habambuhay na pagkabilanggo at mga

iba pang mabigat na parusa ay nilipat sa Bilibid o iba pang piitan. Sa QC

Jail nakakulong ang mga dinirinig pa ang kaso. Nandito rin ang mga

nahatulan ng anim na buwan hanggang anim na taon at isang araw na

pagkakakulong.

Kung may tinatawag na “life after death” ay mayroon din “life

after jail” pero ipinagkakait ito ng lipunan. May paghuhusga sa mga

bilanggo na sila ay masama habambuhay. Kaya karamihan sa mga

bilanggo ay pabalik-balik sa kulungan dahil paulit-ulit nilang ginagawa

ang paglabag sa batas. Ito ay sanhi ng paghuhusga ng ibang tao. Gawin

nating halimbawa sa pagpasok sa trabaho. Bago ka matanggap sa

trabaho ay kailangan mong makakuha ng kung anu-anong clearance.

Kapag ang isang tao ay may record na ng pagkakapiit ay mahirap na

siyang makakuha ng trabaho dahil sa “prejudice” ng ibang tao na

maaaring ulitin niya ang ginawang pagkakasala. Kaya nga may cycle na

ang buhay ng isang inmate. Mapuputol lamang ito kapag ang lipunan

ay magbabago ng pananaw sa mga taong bilanggo. Mangyayari ito

kapag mamamayani ang katarungan ng pagmamahal. Ayon kay Brian

Wren, ang katarungan ng pagmamahal o loving justice ay ang

katarungang walang paghahatol, lakip sa pagkakaibigan, pagmamalasakit

at pagtanggap sa tao bilang tao.

Ang mga nakalaya na sa bilanggo ay nakapagbayad na sa kanilang

kasalanan. Kailangan nila ng bagong buhay. Mahirap mang mangyari

iyon pero kung ang lipunang kanilang babalikan ay tatanggapin muli

sila na ng walang paghahatol, mas madali nilang matatanggal ang bahid

sa kanilang dangal.

Minsan, may nakausap akong inmate na mas bata pa sa akin. Labing-

walong taong gulang pa lamang siya pero naaaninag na sa kanyang

mukha ang kapaguran sa buhay. Inireklamo daw siya ng kanyang amo

ng pagnanakaw. Ang hatol sa kanya ay anim na buwang pagkabilanggo.

Napansin kong hindi siya gaanong nagsasalita. Kung ano ang tanungin

ko ay siya niyang sasagutin at hindi siya nagbibigay ng iba pang

impormasyon. Sa huli ay tinanong ko kung ano ang puwede naming

maitulong sa kanya. Sabi niya ay wala raw. Ang bigat ng loob ko

pagkatapos ko siyang makapanayam. Bakit nga ba ganun ang buhay?

Halos magkasing-edad lang naman kami. Pareho kaming galing ng

7


probinsiya pero ako ay malayang nakakagalaw at magawa ang gusto ko. Samantalang siya ay nakakulong

at halos wala ng pag-asa sa buhay.

Naalala ko tuloy ang teyorya ni John Rawls na Justice as Fairness. Ayon sa kanya, mabibigyan

lamang ng katwiran ang mga di-kapantayan (ng yaman, estado, gahom at kita) kung sila ay pare-

parehong nagbibigay ng pinakamalaking biyaya sa mga kawawa at kaalinsabay ng mga posisyon na

bukas sa lahat naman sa kondisyon ng makatarungang pantay. Nangyayari ba ito sa lipunan natin?

Hindi at malabong mangyari. Laganap ang di-kapantayan sa atin. Ang mga nabibigyan ng mas maraming

biyaya ay mga maykaya dahil sila ang nakapag-aral, mabait, masipag at iba pang magagandang katangian.

Kung may mga posisyon na bukas, ang mga ito ay pabor sa mga mayayaman. Kaya kung minsan ang

kahirapan ang nag-uudyok sa mga tao na gumawa ng masama. Pero hindi dapat ganun ang mangyari.

Ipinanganak tayong pantay-pantay. Sa mata ng Diyos, walang mayaman o mahirap, maganda o pangit.

Lahat tayo ay nabibigyan ng pagkakataon na gumawa ng sarili nating buhay; kaya nga may konsepto

ng “human free will.” Pero kung hahayaan natin na ang lipunan ang magdidikta sa atin, wala talaga

tayong patutunguhan. Sa lipunan kasi nagkakaroon ng “convergence” ang lahat ng bagay. Wala itong

ibang direksiyon na pinupuntahan. Kung wala nang masasabing “sarili” ang isang tao tapos ilagay siya

sa lipunan ng tulad sa atin, mawawala siya sa landas.

Ang mga bilanggo ngayon sa QC Jail ay mga taong ayon sa batas ay nagkasala. Pero bago pa man

nangyari ang ginawa nilang kasalanan ay may konsepto na sila kung ano ang mabuti o masama.

Marahil ang iba sa kanila ay mas pinili ang maging masama kaysa sa mabuti. Marahil ang iba rin ay

napasama dahil sa mga pangyayari o pagkakataon. Ano ngayon ang papel ng boluntir? Nandito kami

upang ipamalas sa kanila na may mga mga tao pang natitira na nagmamahal sa kanila sa kabila ng

pagiging “basura” sa lipunan. Tutulong kami sa alam naming paraan, gaano man ito kaliit o kababaw,

dahil kami ay naniniwalang may oras pa upang sila ay magbago. Hindi malayong mangyari na kapag

sila ay malaya na, sila ay magiging boluntir din tulad namin.

Tapos na ang SLO sa PA 161 pero hindi dito nagtatapos ang aking pagiging boluntir. Itutuloy ko

pa rin ang adhikain ng QC Jail Project. Maaaring isang taon mula ngayon ay puwede kong ipagmayabang

na ako ay nakatulong upang mapalaya ang sampung bilanggo at lahat sila ay nagbabagong-buhay na.

Sana…

Emily B. MaglaEmily B. MaglaEmily B. MaglaEmily B. MaglaEmily B. Maglayyyyyaaaaa

8


Minsan sa buhay ng isang tao ay nakakakita siya ng katapat

na nag-iiwan ng malaking impresyon sa kanyang buhay.

Maaaring ang taong ito’y nagasasalita mula sa kanyang intelek o di

kaya’y mula sa sariling karanasan na hindi hinahaluan ng anumang

teknikalidad… ito’y purong usaping buhay lamang. Ako na isang

estudyante ay malimit nang makasalubong ng mga unang tipo na

nagmumulat sa aking kaalaman tungkol sa siyensiya, literatura,

matematika at iba pa. Marami tayong katanungan sa buhay at minsan

ang mga kasagutan ay nanggagaling pa sa mga di-inaasahang tao… mga

taong hindi pumunta sa unibersidad para talakayin ang kanilang mga

kuwentong-buhay kundi nagsasalita mula sa sarili nilang leksiyon at

karanasan sa buhay. Nakakalungkot mang isipin, ang mga taong ito’y

bihirang marining. Ngayong dumating ang ganitong oportunidad sa

aking buhay, hindi ko na ito pinakawalan.

Aiza ang pangalan ng isa… malusog na babae at sa tono ng kanyang

pananalita ay masasabi mong nakapag-aral at maykaya. Kung titingnan

mo ang pisikal niyang kaanyuan, hindi siya kaiba sa atin. Subalit kung

ako’y malaya, siya’y hindi. Isa siyang preso na bago napasok sa city jail

ay tulad nating mga ordinaryong tao subalit nalihis ang landas marahil

dahil sa kapalaran o sariling gawa o kamalasan… hindi ko na inalam.

Bagaman parang pahapyaw at paloko niyang inilahad sa amin ang

kanyang mga karanasan sa Quezon City Jail, makikita mo sa kanyang

mga mata ang kalungkutang bumabalot sa kanyang pagkatao. Malakas

sa ating mga isipan ang konseptong ang mga kulungan ay mundo ng

mga kalalakihan (“man’s world”). Kaya naman bilib ako sa katapangang

ipinamalas ni Aiza bilang babae na harapin ang sitwasyong

kinapapalooban niya.

Ang karanasang ito ay isang pagmumulat para sa akin kaya naman

labis ko itong pinahahalagahan… isang pagmumulat sa mas personal na

lebel. Minsan sa kurso ng pagkukuwento ni Aiza, hindi ko maiwasang

ikumpara ang aking sarili sa kanya. Ito ako na nagtataglay ng mas

maraming pribilehiyo sa buhay kaysa sa kanya subalit nakapagtatakang

mas taglay pa niya ang katahimikan sa pag-iisip (“peace of mind”) kaysa

sa akin. Kung siya’y nagpipilit makabilang muli sa galaw ng mga tao sa

daigdig, ako nama’y nagmumuni-muni sa mga sandaling ako’y

Si AizaSi AizaSi AizaSi AizaSi Aiza9


makakapagpahinga mula sa magulong takbo ng buhay sa mundo. At kung nakilala na niya ang

Panginoon doon, ako nama’y pilit pang naghahanap sa Kanya dito sa labas. Sa mga kuwento niya,

wala raw mayaman at mahirap sa loob, pantay-pantay lang ang lahat at mayroon daw silang mga

organisadong pamunuan na nagsisiguro ng katahimikan at katiwasayan sa loob ng kulungan… bagaman

hindi perpekto, mukha bang ideyalistiko? Sila itong itinuturing na delingkuwente ng lipunan subalit

lumalabas na mas mukhang disiplinado pa sila kaysa sa atin na nasa laya na binansagang matitino dahil

hindi naman nakakulong (o baka naman kasi hindi lang nahuhuli). Minsan naiisip ko na marahil labis

ang kontrol niya sa sarili kaysa sa akin dahil mas maliit ang mundong kanyang ginagalawan samantalang

ako’y napakalaki at kinakaharap ng mas maraming mga oportunidad na kailangang pagpilian, mga

taong kailangang pakisamahan at mga kaguluhan o kademonyohan na kailangang iwasan. Subalit

maaari akong mamili kung gusto kong harapin ang mundo o hindi, subalit siya, parang wala. Nakita

ko sa kanyang mga mata ang determinasyon para magpatuloy at ipaglaban ang kanyang kalayaan…

isang kasayangan ito kung maisip niyang tumalikod sa kanyang sitwasyon. Sabi nila, natutuwa raw sila

sa amin dahil parang mangha kami sa kanilang buhay sa kulungan. Kami rin nama’y natutuwa sa

kanila dahil ganundin sila sa buhay namin sa laya. Minsan hinahamon pa rin ako ng bilin ni Aiza, mag-

“palit-ulo” daw kami kahit na isang araw lang … sulit kaya?

10

DDDDDannieannieannieannieannievi Vvi Vvi Vvi Vvi V. Castillon. Castillon. Castillon. Castillon. Castillon


IIIII

Panginoon, aming Diyos at Amang lumikha ng lahat, pinupuri

at pinasasalamatan Kita sa lahat ng bagay at grasyang

ipinagkaloob Mo sa akin sa mga panahong inilagi ko dito sa mundo.

Malapit nang matapos ang panahong aking ilalagi sa kolehiyong ito,

ngunit hindi kailanman, at alam kong hindi kailanman matatawaran ng

kahit na ano pang halaga ng salapi ang lahat ng bagay na ginawa Mo

para sa ikabubuti ko. Isa sa mga bagay na iyon Panginoon, ang

pagkakataong ibinigay Ninyo upang maisagawa ko nang maayos at

mahusay ang gawaing ito. Katulad nga po ng nasabi ng isa nating

bayaning si Gat Andres Bonifacio sa kanyang dekalogo, “Hangarin ang

kalayaan ng isa’t isa maging huwaran ng kanyang kapwa sa mabuting

pagpapasunod at pagtupad ng kanyang tungkulin.” Ibinigay Ninyo sa

akin ang pagkakataong muling matutunan ang naturang pangungusap.

Maraming salamat Panginoon sa lahat ng mga pagsubok na ibinigay

Ninyo upang malaman ko kung ano ang tamang landas na dapat kong

tahakin upang masunod ang nais Mong ako ay makatulong sa aking

kapwa, isa sa mga naisin at adhikain ng kursong ito.

IIIIIIIIII

Panginoon, maraming salamat sa pagbibigay Mo sa akin ng aking

mga magulang na palaging nariyan at handang tumulong sa lahat ng

pagkakataong kailangan ko sila. Nariyan sila kapag ako’y nalulungkot,

at nakikisalo sa mga sandali ng saya. Maraming salamat sa pagbibigay

ng ama at ina na ang tanging naisin ay ang ikakabuti naming

magkakapatid. Isang ama at inang pinagyayaman ang isipan at damdamin

ng kanilang mga anak sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay sa mga ito sa abot

ng kanilang makakaya ng edukasyon, isang hindi kailanman mawawalang

pamana ng panahon. Salamat sa pagbibigay ng magulang na simula ng

pagkabata ay natutunan ko na kung paano maging makatao, isang

pahalaga na kung saan maipapakita ko sa aking kapwa kung paano

ituturing nang maayos ang mga tao sa aking paligid, mga taong hindi ko

kilala subalit kailangan kong pakitunguhan nang maayos sa simpleng

Salamat po!Salamat po!Salamat po!Salamat po!Salamat po!Dalangin ng Isang Boluntir

11


dahilan na sila ay tao rin. Tinuruan din nila ako kung papaano ang tamang pamamaraan ng

pakikipagkapwa-tao, pakikitungo nang maayos sa mga kakilala at kaibigan. Lahat ng ito ay nagamit ko

sa paglilingkod sa mga bilanggo na hindi ko naman kilala at lalong hindi kaano-ano na dapat kong

tulungan sapagkat sila ang mga taong higit na nangangailangan ng aking tulong, sila ang mga taong

kung pagpipilii’y hindi naman gugustuhing mabulid sa ganoong kinasadlakan, mga taong kung ituturing

bilang tao ay aakto rin bilang isa. Mga taong sa katotohanan ay hindi naman kailangan ng mahabang

panahong pagsubaybay kundi ng simpleng pagpapakita lamang ng malasakit at pamamaraan at sila na

ang magkukusang gawin ang anumang trabahong ipapagawa sa kanila, kung minsan nga ay mas

magaling pa sa tagapagturo.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Maraming salamat Panginoon sa pagbibigay sa akin ng pagkakataong makapag-aral sa pamantasang

ito lalong-lalo na sa pagkakataong makasama sa hanay ng mga mga mag-aaral na dumaan sa mapagpalang

kamay ni Dr. Ledivina Carino. Sa kanya ay natutunan ko kung paanong ang isang unibersidad na

nagbibigay ng isang quality education nang hindi lamang nakapokus sa apat na sulok ng silid-aralan

kundi maging nang nasa labas din. Hindi lamang ito sa pamamagitan ng simpleng mga field at expo-

sure trips kundi sa pamamagitan ng paghuhubog ng kamaharlikaan ng pag-iisip at pagkatao na nababatay

sa paghuhubog ng isang etika ng pamantasan na hindi lamang nakatuon sa kalayaang pang-akademiko

at kagalingan dito kundi maging sa pagpapahalaga sa karangalan, katarungang panlipunan at kapantayan,

pagmamahal sa bayan, pananagutan sa taong-bayan, paglilingkod-bayan, pamahalaang demokratiko at

kalayaang institusyunal. Upang maipakita nila ito nang husto, kinakailangan ang programang

Pahinungod. Kahit sasandali akong naging bahagi ng programang ito, masasabi ko na ring kahit

papaano ay nakamit ng unibersidad sa akin ang mga adhikaing nabanggit. Maaaring maliit na bahagi

lamang ng populasyon ang mga grupo ng mga taong natulungan namin, ngunit kahit ganito, nakita ko

namang bahagi sila ng bayan, at dapat magtamo ng pakinabang mula dito. Ako ay isang iskolar ng

bayan, nararapat lamang siguro, Panginoon, na suklian ko ng paglilingkod ang mga taong sumusuporta

sa aking edukasyon. Natutunan ko rin mula sa aking guro, kung paanong nagkakaiba ang etika ng

puso ni Gilligan at ang etika ng isip ni Kohlberg. Kung minsan din naman kasi naiisip ko kung paanong

ang pamamaraan dapat tingnan ang kaso ng isang taong hindi sumusunod sa batas at patakaran na

kung tutuusin ay dapat na tumutugon sa kagalingan at pagtatanggol ng karapatan ng kalahatan. Paano

ngayon ang pagtataguyod ng etikal na buhay ng mga bilanggo? Paano na ang isang Mario Zinampan

at ang isang Raymund Narag? Ibig bang sabihin ay wala na silang etika ng katarungan? Ano man ang

isipin, nananaig pa rin sa akin ang sinabi ng aking guro noong ako ay nasa hayskul pa lamang at ang

isiping sila ay tao at mahalaga bilang tao at ang paghuhusga sa kanila ay dapat damahin ng ayon sa

paraang makapagbibigay ng mas maraming saya at kaunting sakit sa mas maraming bilang ng mga tao.

Basbasan mo ang mga mga guro, Panginoon.

12


IVIVIVIVIV

Maraming salamat Panginoon sa pagbibigay Mo ng pagkakataong makilala ko ang mga bilanggong

tulad ni Kuya Raymund, Kuya Mario at iba pa nilang kasama. Naalala ko tuloy si Dizon, isang bilanggo

na isinasama ng aking tiyuhin mula sa Sablayan Penal Colony (Occidental Mindoro) kung saan siya

nagtrabaho. Siya na halos ang nagpalaki sa aking mga pinsan. Siya ang nagluluto, naglalaba, naglilinis

ng bahay, naghahatid sa paaralan at kadalasan ay kalaro pa ng aking mga pinsan. Si Dizon, si Kuya

Mario at Kuya Raymund…lahat sila ay maituturing nabiktima ng mapagbirong tadhana gaano man

kabigat ang nagawa nilang kasalanan o ano man ang bagay na ipinararatang sa kanila. Sa kanila ay

natutunan ko ang kahalagahan ng salitang kalayaan lalo na tuwing umaalis kami sa bilangguang iyun.

Sa kanila ay natutunan ko kung papaano magagamit nang maayos at maitsa-channel ang aking enerhiya

lalo na sa mga oras na wala akong ginigawa. Sa kanila ay nakita ko kung papaanong ang buhay

kaakibat ng mga yaman at pagsubok na ibinigay nito ay nararapat na pag-ingatan at gamitin nang

maayos. Nuong una ay wala akong pakialam sa iba, basta sa akin sinusunod ko lamang ang nais ng

lipunan at mga taong nakapaligid sa akin (conventional kumbaga). Ang mahalaga ay nagagawa ko ang

dapat kong gawin at pansariling concerns. Hindi pala sapat iyon sapagkat may pananagutan ako sa

aking kapwa tulad ng isang ina sa kanyang anak, guro sa kanyang mag-aaral at iba pa. May pananagutan

akong tulungan sila lalo na sa pagsapit ng panahong nandoon na ako sa serbisyo-gobyerno mas lalo

akong dapat na manindigan na isagawa ang mga responsibilidad na nakaatang sa aking mga balikat.

Sila ang mabuting halimbawa kung papaano ang dapat kong gawin sa panahon ng pagsubok, halatang

pinaglalabanan talaga nila ang kanilang mga problema. Nakukuha nilang ngumiti at tumawa at bagamat

hindi ko maintindihan ay nararamdaman ko ang kahungkagan ng bawat tunog nito. Panginoon,

tulungan Mo sila.

VVVVV

Diyos ko, isa ring naging lugar ng aking pagkatuto ay ang jail management mismo. Dito ay nakita

ko kung papaano ang pananagutan nila ay nakatuon lamang sa regularidad (marahil dahil hindi ko

naman nakita at nakausap nang husto ang mga nangangasiwa). Sa pagpasok sa tarangkahan ng

bilangguan, kinakapkapan kami. Medyo nakakailang nga nang kaunti sapagkat hanggang ang maselang

bahagi ng aming katawan ay hinihipo pero wala kaming magagawa dahil bahagi iyon ng pangangasiwa

ng kaayusan sa kulungan. Ang mga guwardiyang tulad nila ay may pananagutan sa panahong may

mangyaring masama sa lugar na iyon. Isa iyong pamamaraan ng kontrol upang maayos ang lahat at

lubusan ko naman iyong naiintindihan. Patuloy ninyo silang gabayan at pagpalain.

13


VIVIVIVIVI

Panginoon, lubos din akong nagpapasalamat sa pagkakataong ibinigay Ninyo upang mabisita ko

ang QC Hall of Justice. Sa totoo lang, ngayon lamang ako nakarating sa lugar na tulad nito. Ngayon

lang ako nakakita ng “live” na trial sa isang court room. Ganoon pala iyon. Alam kong bibihirang

dumating sa puntong nagkakaroon ng katarungan ng pagmamahal sa lugar na ito. Ngunit alam ko rin

namang ang payak na katarungan at ang katarungan bilang kalayaan ang nag-uudyok sa husgado dito.

Ang mga isinasaad sa batas at ang maayos na paghahatol ay isa ng katarungan basta walang kinikilingan,

kumbaga dapat lagi silang objective. Sa pagkakataong ito Panginoon, naibigay rin nila ang isang

kalayaan sa mga taong walang kasalanan ngunit hindi lang iyon, nagbibigay din sila ng kalayaan sa mga

taong nagkasala, kahit papaano ay isang kalayaan mula sa kanilang konsiyensiya at budhi. Kung

tutuusin, meron silang kapangyarihan, ngunit alam kong sa mukha ng bawat husgado na aking nakita

sa mga kasong ipina-follow-up, hindi nila ginagamit ang kanilang gahom sa maling pamamaraan. Siguro

lang sa ngayon, malaki pa rin ang tiwala ko sa kanila.

VIIVIIVIIVIIVII

At bilang panghuli Panginoon, ipinagpapasalamat ko sa inyo ang mga volunteers na handang

tumulong maging kapalit man ito ng kanilang panahon, kayamanan at talino. Sila ang mga bagong

bayani ng ating bayan. Hesukristo, bigyan nawa Ninyo sila ng lakas ng katawan at pag-iisip upang

maisagawa at maipagpatuloy ang kanilang mga gawain.

Ang lahat ng ito Panginoon ay natutunan ko sa paglilingkod ko bilang boluntir sa Quezon City Jail

Project. Tunay ngang napakaikli ng panahong ibinigay para sa akin ngunit ang lahat ng ito ay tataglayin

ko bilang isang masayang karanasan saan mang dako ng Pilipinas o mundo ako mapupunta. Isa lang

ang tanging hiling ko, ang mabigyang muli ng pagkakataong makapaglingkod ng tulad nito marahil sa

ibang panahon at sa ibang lugar, marahil sa sarili kong lalawigan. Hihintayin ko Diyos ang panahong

iyon.

Ang lahat ng ito, Panginoon ay itinataas ko sa ngalan ni Hesukristo, sa tulong ni Mariang aming

Ina, AMEN.

Maria FMaria FMaria FMaria FMaria Fatima Patima Patima Patima Patima Paglicaaglicaaglicaaglicaaglicawwwwwananananan

14


When I qualified in the Affirmative Action Program of the

Ugnayan ng Pahinungód, I vowed to be among its volun-

teers if I would pass the UPCAT. I was an incoming fourth year high

school student then.

The Affirmative Action Program is a two-week class (in Math,

Physics, History, Chemistry and English) in selected provinces with the

UP volunteers (faculty, students, and alumni) as the teachers and orga-

nizers of activities. I was so pleased and exalted to be a part of it. I

looked up to the volunteers as citizens who are fulfilling their role in

the Philippine society. So that when I qualified for the University of

the Philippines in Diliman for the academic year 1999-2000, I looked

for the volunteer service program of the University.

I was fortunate to have met a volunteer in my integrated Spanish

class. She was a volunteer to the Social Welfare program of Pahinungód

Diliman. I kept asking her about how to join, when the orientation

would be, and all the other needed information since I was really ea-

ger to be a member of the Pahinungod Family. Finally she informed

me, “Venus, on Wednesday, 10 o’clock in the morning, there will be a

General Orientation for interested volunteers at the Quezon Hall roof-

top. Punta ka ha?”

Attend? Oh yes, I was very willing to be present and accomplish

my mission. Details on the different programs were given for the

incoming volunteers to decide which program to join. I knew all about

the programs earlier and I had already decided to join any of the

following three programs; Social Welfare (a program for the street-

children and kids with cancer), Ecology Camp (a program that pro-

motes environmental awareness), and of course, the Affirmative

Action Program. But never did it enter my mind, not even in my

wildest dreams, to affiliate with the Quezon City Jail Project—a pro-

gram for the inmates of the Quezon City Jail. Who would want to go

there and give help to detainees, I thought, until the speaker of the

said program finished her sharing during the orientation. Listening to

her opened my mind in considering the program. I can still remember

the speaker saying, “It’s mostly paralegal work.”

AAAAAttornettornettornettornettorneyyyyy15


16 Paralegal? Paralegal. After finishing a lot of John Grisham novels, I wanted to put into action

everything that I absorbed from his books. Although I did not have enough knowledge of the law

and am still confused of legal terms, I wanted to try learning it and appreciate it, too. Oh well, I

thought it wasn’t a bad idea after all to give it a try. After the orientation, we were asked to sign-up

in the different programs that we were interested to join. With determination, I marched head-up

towards the sign up sheet of the QC Jail program and scribbled my name first on the list.

I had never been to the Quezon City Jail before. My first visit there as a volunteer was in

February 2000 during the birthday of the Jail Warden. I really prepared myself for that ‘first visit.’

I read over and over again the Do’s and Don’ts when visiting the jail and all the other guidelines. The

night before, I had a hard time sleeping wondering if that ‘first visit’ would be the reason for my not

continuing to volunteer or it would be the ground for my having the courage to continue my mission.

I hoped it would be the latter.

Fortunately it was. The stinking smell of the jail, the overcrowded environment, the big, long-

haired, tattooed guys, and the stare of the inmates didn’t discourage me to say goodbye to my dream

to be a Pahinungód. Honestly, I didn’t feel like I was in a jail—the home of the so-called ‘mga salot sa

lipunan.’ Maybe hard to believe but true.

Interviewing an inmate was the first step; one would ask ask what can be done to help them.

This ‘help’ ranges from getting the hearing schedule, supervising the release order of inmates who

have already been acquitted or those who have served sentence, working on the transfer of con-

victed prisoners, focusing on an inmate’s application for probation, to visiting those whose relatives

seemed to have vanished.

My first interview was a shocking one because he was talking in a serious and nice way until I

asked him what his offense was. Well, he nonchalantly said ‘murder.’ I, on the other hand, was of

course taken aback. I have also experienced interviewing an inmate who didn’t really need any help.

He just wanted someone who would listen to him, all about the story of his life before jail and why he

was committed. There were also those who stutter, seeking advice while having a hard time

speaking. There were also those who are very shy and speak in the lowest volume of voice you have

to come closer to be able to understand them. Still, there were those who constantly reminded

you on the help they needed. And finally, there were those who stared at you straight into the eyes

at the longest possible time and spoke in a hoarse-loud manner you could melt and half-wish the

ground would eat you up in the meantime. But, even with these ‘there were those who…’ I loved

going to the jail and listening to every word they uttered. And up to now, I still am trying my best to

be patient and courteous in getting along with them.

New experiences came my way, both good and bad. I was mocked by the medico-legal at the

East Avenue Medical Center while trying to request for a medical certificate that was requested by an


Maria RMaria RMaria RMaria RMaria Rosalynd Vosalynd Vosalynd Vosalynd Vosalynd Venus Corenus Corenus Corenus Corenus Corazaazaazaazaaza

17inmate to be used for his defense. Why was I getting a medical certificates for a case daw eh I was

neither a lawyer nor a staff of any branch in the QC Hall of Justice? Not even a law student for that

matter. But proudly, I explained to him in the nicest way I could that I am a ‘volunteer.’

I went all the way to Precinct 6 to secure a police blotter, again asked of me by an inmate, and

searched for the document in those thick, dusty files placed on the floor in a very hot and crampy

room only to find out that it was torn out of the files. I have handled probation applications and

worked on them as hard as I could but they were all denied. Oftentimes, I was ignored by the

snobbish clerks of most branches in the QC Hall of Justice asking me what I wanted in a monster-like

voice that would make children run off. I had a hard time answering their questions with all those

confusing legal terms before. I was full of ahhs, ehhs, uhhs and errs. Well, even up to now.

Yet somehow, I did not feel tired, nor thought of it as a tiring work; neither did I complain of the

inmates’ requests. And even though it wasn’t really my ambition (only my parents’) to become a

lawyer, I was happy because I felt as if I were acting as one. My co-volunteers and I would often joke

and refer to each other as ‘attorney’ and feel as if the inmates were our clients. Moreover, we were

lent modules on human rights by the UP College of Law and would be given a paralegal seminar in

the future. Now I am thinking of someday pursuing a career in law. Hmmm…

But being a paralegal volunteer at the Quezon City Jail was no big joke. One should be very

sincere in doing it. Otherwise, she/he wouldn’t be faithful and open to volunteer work, to the

inmates, and even to oneself. Relating with the inmates and courtesy will have to be learned since

one will meet lots of new people other than the inmates— the public attorneys, relatives of the

inmates, complainants of the case, and the people in every section, every branch, every office, every

floor, and every door of the Quezon City Hall of Justice.

I have tried my best to be good at it. Also, I realized that reading the novels of John Grisham was

completely different from how the reality of justice system evolves in the Philippines. I am hoping I’ll

never lose the courage to lend a hand to the inmates, wishing I’ll never be too busy to serve them

especially now that I am going on my higher year and will be taking my major subjects, and praying

I will able to continue this volunteer work with all the strength and courage that I have. I keep on

imagining that I am going to be an ‘attorney’ after I graduate. Believe me, I do.


Pagpasok ko sa UP, inakala ko na dito ay kailangang sarili ko ang mundo. Inakala ko na lahat

dito ay pag-aaral, mga libro, teorya at kung anu-ano pa. Pero, na-realize ko na ang dami

palang magagandang bagay na puwede kong pagtuunan ng pansin katulad ng Pahinungód.

Una ko siyang nakita sa t-shirt ng dati kong blockmate. Nakuha agad nito ang atensiyon ko dahil

pangalan pa lang kakaiba na. Hanggang nalaman ko na isa pala itong institusyon dito sa UP na

nagbibigay ng boluntaryong serbisyo sa pamamagitan ng iba’t ibang mga programa. Kaya sa aking

ikalawang taon sa Unibersidad, nag-decide akong sumali. Naalala ko pa na hindi ako sinipot ng mga

kasama ko sa orientation. Sa totoo lang, nahirapan akong magdesisyon kung anong programa ang

sasalihan. Lahat yata gusto ko, pati nga Gurong Pahinungód. Hanggang napag-isip-isip ko na sumali

sa QC Jail Project.

Excited ako na medyo takot dahil hindi ko alam kung ano ang pinapasukan ko pero sige lang.

Nuong QC Jail Orientation, SHUCKS!!! Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat maramdaman, matatakot

ba at huwag na lang o ma-e-encourage sa kuwento ng mga dating volunteers. I decided to give it a try.

At hindi ko pinagsisisihan ang desisyong ginawa ko.

Isang malaking bagay para sa akin ang pagpa-Pahinungód. In a way, iminulat niya ako sa mga

katotohanan sa paligid na minsan ay nakakaligtaan kong tingnan. Ipinakilala niya sa akin si SERVICE

at COMMITMENT na dati pa palang nagpapakilala sa akin at hindi ko lang pinansin. Tinuruan ako

nitong humarap sa iba’t ibang uri ng tao na may iba’t ibang karanasan na kapupulutan pa ng aral

basta’t makikinig lang. Puwede pala akong maging kapaki-pakinabang sa ibang tao kahit sa maliit na

paraan.

Napakaraming natutulungan ng Pahinungód kaya sana’y magtagal pa ito at patuloy akong maging

bahagi ng institusyong ito. Sana ay mas malawak pa ang maabot ng mga programa nito dahil tunay

naman itong kapaki-pakinabang. Sana ay dumami pa ang volunteers. Sana…

SerSerSerSerService at commitmentvice at commitmentvice at commitmentvice at commitmentvice at commitment

HazHazHazHazHazel Tel Tel Tel Tel Torrorrorrorrorrerererererooooo

18


Why volunteer? Why look for hard times when in fact one can use the spare time with

friends? Why volunteer just to share the victim’s hardships and sufferings? Why make

life complicated by being involved in other people’s problems? What can one get from volunteering?

Depression? Despair? Sadness? Why help a stranger? Why not help someone else – a friend or a

relative?

I joined Pahinungód when I was a freshman. When I heard it was about volunteering, I didn’t

hesitate to join, though I had no idea at all about commitment and responsibility. All I knew then was

I wanted to help. I found myself very relaxed then, so instead of going to the mall and watching

movies, I thought of spending more of my spare time in a better way, something worthwhile and

beneficial to others. My friends went about their usual college life, but I chose to be different. I

chose to volunteer. And nothing changed in our relationship. In fact, they became interested in

joining Pahinungód too.

My main reason for volunteering was to extend my help to the less privileged ones. I did not

realize then that being Pahinungód would have a significant impact on me. I have come to love what

I am doing that I cannot give up Pahinungód despite the pressure added on by my academic require-

ments. To me, volunteering is something that I have committed myself to, something I want to make

out of my life. I used to tell myself more often that I would make my stay in the University memo-

rable and meaningful — something of value and of worth. Through volunteering, I can truly say that

I am making most valuable use of my time.

Why would I help people I don’t know? It is because people I know do not need that much help.

They can cope by themselves. In Pahinungód, I get to interact with people who are really in need of

help. I get to know them and to relate with their situation. I am involved with their problems and

gradually get attached with the people I help. This is the hardest part, as I tend to absorb some of

their feelings, yet I am able to help, even by simply listening, or any of the littlest possible ways.

Volunteering was also a learning experience for me. Interacting with people allowed me to see

the real world. It taught me that life is not that simple — different people have different lives. Some

WhWhWhWhWhy vy vy vy vy volunteer?olunteer?olunteer?olunteer?olunteer? 19


may be happy, yet some are miserable. Despite the misery though, they see through life. They know

how to live life. However, there are those who lose hope. But then there’s the support of the

volunteers who share whatever they have learned from others too. But looking back, I realized that

I did not only help them, but also learned from them.

For these reasons, I will never regret being a volunteer. I cannot imagine giving up my volunteer-

ing. I cannot imagine life without Pahinungód.

Janice MorJanice MorJanice MorJanice MorJanice Moranteanteanteanteante

20


Nakapangingilabot… nakadidiri… mga salitang ginagamit upang ilarawan ang loob ng kulungan.

Dito raw nagtitipon-tipon ang lahat ng masasamang tao, mga imoral, rapist, magnanakaw,

mamamatay-tao at iba pa. Ano ngayon ang mararamdaman mo kapag nalaman mong dadalaw ang

iyong klase sa Quezon City Jail? Bakit ba kami pupunta doon? May kaugnayan ba ito sa aming pinag-

aaralan? Sabi nila magulo daw sa kulungan, paano ngayon ‘yan?

Pagpasok pa lamang namin sa QC Jail, nakakita na ako ng lalaking tadtad ng tattoo ang katawan.

At naku, ang mga babae, daig pa si Donya Victorina sa kasupladahan. Umikot kami sa loob. Pumasok

kami sa kuwarto ng kababaihan. Nakipagkuwentuhan kami sa ilan sa kanila. Doon ko napagtanto na

hindi lahat ng nakakulong ay masasama at kapag nagkasala man sila noon, pinagsisisihan na nila ito

ngayon. Maliliit lang ang mga kuwarto nila ngunit bawat kuwarto ay may sariling banyo. Libre daw

ang suplay ng kuryente kaya’t puwede kahit maraming electric fan. Ngunit, pagkarami-rami mang

electric fan ay napakainit pa rin ng lugar sa dami nilang nagsisiksikan sa kuwarto. Mga humigit-

kumulang na dalawampu’t lima ang nakatira sa bawat kuwarto. Ngunit gaano man ito kainit at

kasikip, ito’y presentable naman. Ang bawat kuwarto ay may motif. Nililinis nila ito nang mabuti

sapagkat may pa-kontest sa kulungan sa pagandahan at palinisan ng kuwarto. Ang QC Jail ay parang

isang maliit na komunidad. May nagtitinda ng pagkain sa loob, may munti silang chapel at may banda

pang tumutugtog. Sa baba naman ay naroon ang basketball court.

Organisado at magalang ang mga bilanggo. Hindi ko ito inasahan. Ang kulungan kung minsan ay

instrumento ng naghaharing uri ng lipunan upang parusahan ang mga kumakalaban sa kanila. Sabi

nila ito rin daw ay institusyon ng reporma. Ngunit paano ito matatawag na institusyon ng pagababago?

Gaano ito katotoo? Paano nga ba magbabago ang isang bilanggo kung sa umpisa pa lamang ay

kinokondena na sila ng mga tao? Napakalaki kong tanga nang maniwala ako na ang lahat ng mga

nakakulong ay masasama. Kinaiinisan ko ang lipunan na patuloy na kumukutya sa mga bilanggo

ngunit ang aking sarili ay hindi ko man lang mapagsabihan.

Ang pagpunta ko sa kulungan ay nagbukas sa aking isipan sa isang bagay na noon ay hindi ko

nakita— pagbibigay halaga sa mga bilanggo. Sa aming pakikipanayam sa kanila, nalaman ko ang isang

hibla ng kasaysayan sa kanilang buhay. Naging aral sa akin ang kanilang naging mga karanasan upang

sa gayo’y mapaghandaan ko rin ang bukas na darating nang hindi lumilihis ng daan. Ang kanilang

naging karanasan ay magiging bahagi rin ng aking kasaysayan sapagkat ito ang aking gagamiting

instrumento sa pagtatasa kung ano ang tama sa mali.

Detinadong kDetinadong kDetinadong kDetinadong kDetinadong komunidadomunidadomunidadomunidadomunidad

Ma. RMa. RMa. RMa. RMa. Rufufufufufina Sablaina Sablaina Sablaina Sablaina Sablayyyyy

21


When I signed-up for the QC Jail project, one rainy Wednesday morning, I didn’t expect to

gain much from the experience. Actually, I didn’t even expect I’d become a regular

volunteer for it. It is one of those things that looks interesting on paper but is never given serious

consideration. But, as fate would have it, all things seemed to point to the direction of the QC Jail

project. Firstly, instead of attending the Social Work orientation I “mistakenly” showed-up for the

QC Jail project without knowing what I had gotten myself into. Secondly, my free time happened to

be the visiting schedule to the jail. After a while, I simply decided to accept this peculiar turn of events

as if it was meant to be all along. And, it was!

Much to my surprise and after the initial shock that came with my first visit to the jail, I found

myself going back often during my first semester of volunteer work. Most of the time, I had to go

back for “business” (a term my fellow volunteer used). However, there were times when I found

myself inside the jail with no real work to be done because the inmate I talked to had a court hearing

or because there were no updates in an inmate’s case. So, instead of interviewing more inmates and

adding to an already troublesome load, I’d spend the time chatting with Kuya Raymund in his room

over a glass of cold coke and a pack of skyflakes. We would talk mostly about how life was in a jail

along with the different roles of inmates in a brigada. One time, though, we even had a discussion

about UP student politics and politics in general with me asking most of the questions and Kuya

Raymund being ever so articulate with his answers. I still remember that discussion fondly because his

girlfriend was also there for a visit and she brought along a styrofoam container of Chowking food.

And there we were, three people in a cozy room talking normally as if we were anywhere else in this

big city. From that time on, I could not think of the jail as just a jail anymore. It became a functioning

community, full of the normal everyday people one would find on the street. This affected my

volunteer work by making me understand that I wasn’t just interviewing inmates who needed help

with their cases but that I was listening to people relay a part of their lives to me, giving me their trust

and hopes even if I was a total stranger.

Naturally, I became more curious about how things worked in a jail. Kuya Raymund told me

stories, even let me read the pieces he wrote narrating jail life. Because of his stories and after further

research, I learned about the different structures organized to provide discipline and control power.

However, I also discovered that these same structures turned out to be oppressive in nature and ran

counter to what I believed jail life should be. The idea that some inmates continued to indulge invices

in a place where they were supposed to be rehabilitated bothered me very much. My ideals of the

world I comfortably lived in were suddenly in doubt. On one hand, I felt guilty for not being able to

uplift the plight of inmates, but then I felt the rampant corruption or mishandling of inmates was too

much for one volunteer to change. It reached a point when I didn’t want to go and visit the jail for a

time because it felt burdensome and depressing. I justified it by reasoning I did not need more

BeBeBeBeBeyyyyyond these fond these fond these fond these fond these four wour wour wour wour wallsallsallsallsalls22


problems to add to my long list. My selfishness persisted for a while,

even if I went to visit the jail for business. I kept my thoughts to myself

and went on acting as a normal volunteer. Except that I no longer

interviewed anyone nor was I enthusiastic about following up cases.

I guess this feeling, this unwillingness to accept things and look at the

brighter side would’ve continued had it not been for one of the tasks

I had to do as a long-time volunteer. It involved accompanying the

newest batch of SLO volunteers on their first visit to the jail and I had

not been too enthusiastic to do it. Nevertheless, I met them, brought

them to the jail, and held an on-site orientation. It was during this

activity, while looking at their faces full of anxiety and wonder, did I

realize that was me a few semesters back. I was suddenly inspired by

their display of energy. They even went back to the jail to do follow-up

work without supervision. Through their courage and desire to help,

I was able to muster my own courage and energy to try and transform

my perceived burden into an apparent blessing. It has not been easy

for me to continue doing volunteer work especially since my academic

and even extra-curricular loads have increased through the years in

UP. But, in-between the little volunteer work I do, I still find myself

occasionally wanting to go back to the jail for no particular reason

except maybe for another one of those long discussions. Or maybe

even for just a short conversation with an inmate who will willingly

share his or her life story.

My personal quest for what is right and how to make things right

still continues. But I get less easily upset now every time I face large

obstacles or feel that I’m carrying too heavy a burden on my shoul-

ders. I have come to understand that my ideals don’t have to be com-

promised in my search for what is right. Knowing this world can’t be

changed overnight is actually a comforting thought if you consider the

sheer magnitude of what needs to be changed. Moreover, through this

unique project, I have come to meet many interesting and selfless people

who, like me, seek the same goals and foster the same ideals. Many of

them have become my good friends and teachers. It is from them I

gain wisdom and strength to face these constant challenges to my op-

timism as a Filipino human being and to my desire for change as a

student. I will forever be grateful to Pahinungod for opening my heart

and mind to the realities of life; for teaching me ideas beyond the

traditional four walls; and for the opportunity to actually do some-

thing with what I’ve learned. Zak YZak YZak YZak YZak Yusonusonusonusonuson

23


Mahirap hulihin sa pamamagitan ng mga salita ang aking mga nararamdaman at kaisipan

patungkol sa piitan, boluntarismo, pagiging lider, at magkakaugnay na karanasan ukol dito.

Ang papel na ito ay isang pagtatangka na sumahin ang mga pagbabago sa akin magmula nang ako’y

makilahok sa proyektong Quezon City Jail.

PPPPPaano Akaano Akaano Akaano Akaano Ako Naging Bo Naging Bo Naging Bo Naging Bo Naging Bahagi ng Prahagi ng Prahagi ng Prahagi ng Prahagi ng Progrogrogrogrograma?ama?ama?ama?ama?

Ang partisipasyon ko sa proyekto ay hindi maililimita sa pagiging bahagi nito sa mga rekisito ng

kursong PA 161 o Ethics and Accountability. Sa pagtukoy pa lamang ng bilangguan bilang isang

depressed area ay nasa paligid na ako ng eksena. Bumabalik-balik ako sa jail kasama ng mga iba pang

estudyanteng gustong maging bahagi ng programa para dumalaw. At sa pagpasok ng aming konseho

sa simula ng academic year 1997-1998, ang QC Jail Project ay isa sa mga proyektong binigyang-halaga.

Naging bahagi kami sa makasaysayang pagbubuo ng Memorandum of Agreement sa pagitan ng UP,

BJMP, QC Government, PRESO Foundation, at Ugnayan ng Pahinungód para sa ikabubuti ng piitan.

Naglunsad kami ng information drive para sa proyekto at hinikayat ang mga mag-aaral na sumali dito.

Dahil dito, naging mahirap sa akin nang ako ay nag-Service Learning Option na tukuyin ang aking

tunay na partisipasyon sa programa: Ako ba’y PA 161 SLO volunteer? Naririto dahil sa Student

Council? Nandirito dahil may kaibigan ako sa kulungan? Sa tuwing iisipin ko ang mga nakakalitong

katanungang ito, isa lamang ang pumapasok sa isip ko— na ako ay nandito dahil PPPPPahinungód akahinungód akahinungód akahinungód akahinungód akooooo. Isa

itong pagsusuma ng mga kadahilanang hindi naman dapat himay-himayin. Isa itong inspirasyon sa

kabila ng malakas na pressure na dala ng mga nabanggit na patung-patong na kadahilanan at

responsibilidad.

Ano ang Aking BAno ang Aking BAno ang Aking BAno ang Aking BAno ang Aking Bahagi sa Prahagi sa Prahagi sa Prahagi sa Prahagi sa Progrogrogrogrograma?ama?ama?ama?ama?

Ang bahagi ko sa programa ay hindi pangkaraniwan. Di tulad ng regular na mga Lingkod-Aral

kung saan ang boluntir ay nagbibigay-serbisyo sa mga nangangailangan, ang trabaho ko sa Proyekto

ay hindi direktang tumutulong sa mga inmate. Hindi ako regular na humahawak ng kanilang kaso.

Ang gawain ko ay ang manghagilap at mangulit ng mga boluntir na dumalo sa mga pagtitipon at

asikasuhin ang mga hawak nilang kaso. Hindi rin gaya ng regular na pagtulong kung saan natutuwa

ang mga tinutulungan, ako ay maaaring kinaiinisan na minsan ng mga boluntir dahil sa aking kakulitan.

Pero, hindi ko naman sila pinipilit kung may mahalaga silang gagawin. Ang akin lamang ay paalala na

gawin nila kung ano ang ipinangako nila sa inmate at sa Proyekto.

Ang aking kAng aking kAng aking kAng aking kAng aking karararararanasang Panasang Panasang Panasang Panasang Pahinungód sa loobahinungód sa loobahinungód sa loobahinungód sa loobahinungód sa loob24


Ang PrAng PrAng PrAng PrAng Proooooyyyyyekto at ang Kekto at ang Kekto at ang Kekto at ang Kekto at ang Kalagaalagaalagaalagaalagayyyyyan sa Lan sa Lan sa Lan sa Lan sa Loobooboobooboob

Dahil sa katagalan ko na sa Proyekto, kahit tulog ako ay kaya ko

nang mag-orient ng isang bagong boluntir ukol sa QC Jail Project. Ang

limang components nito na paralegal, counseling, functional literacy,

livelihood, at research ay mabiis kong nasasabi. Bagaman masaya kong

ikinukuwento na ang programa ay mainit na tinatanggap ng mga in-

mates lalo na ang aspektong paralegal, nalulungkot naman ako kapag

ang kalagayan sa jail ang pinag-uusapan.

Kung maselan ang ilong o tiyan ng sinumang dadalaw sa bilangguan,

siguradong babaligtad ang kanyang sikmura sa mabaho at lumlom na

hangin sa loob ng maliliit at pinagsisiksikang selda. Sa mga seldang ito

sila nagtuturo, kumakain, naglalaba, namamahinga at natutulog. Ang

kulungang ito na ideyal lamang para sa 600 katao ay naglalaman ng

mahigit sa 1500 at ang bilang na ito ay nadaragdagan ng dalawa bawat

linggo. Hindi lahat ng mga inmates ay may dalaw. Sila na tinatawag na

buyuneros ay nagsisilbing utusan ng mga iba na may mas maraming

pera at pagkain. Marami rin sa mga nakakulong ang walang kamag-

anak sa lunsod o kung mayroon man ay wala nang pakialam sa kanila.

Nuong una, ang pangunahing nakahila sa akin na magpatuloy sa

programa ay ang katotohanan na marami sa kanila ay hindi pa con-

victed o nasa ilalim pa lamang ng pagsusuri (at ang iba naman ay may

minimum penalty na anim na buwan hanggang tatlong taon). Ngunit

nang lumaon, naunawaan ko na sakaling maysala man sila, nararapat

pa rin silang kalingain ng lipunan at pamahalaan sapagkat kung tutuusin,

biktima lamang sila ng ating lipunang nababalot ng kasamaan. Sa

pamamagitan ng pagtulong sa kanila, maaari pa nilang maramdaman

at makita na may Dios at may pag-asa.

Mga NatutunanMga NatutunanMga NatutunanMga NatutunanMga Natutunan

Bilang Isang Lider

Bilang isang lider-estudyante, napatunayan ko na ang isang aktibismo

ay hindi lang nagtatapos sa kalye. Kasabay ng pag-iiba ng panahon ang

pag-iiba ng mga paraan ng pagsusulong sa pagbabago. At isa rito ay

ang boluntarismo. Alam ko na mapalad ako sapagkat nabigyan ako ng

pagkakataon na maging bahagi ng krusadang ito.

25


Ngunit kasama ng pagiging lider ang pressures, frustrations, at disappointments. Dahil sa Proyekto,

natutunan kong maging mas maunawain sa iba’t ibang prayoridad ng mga tao. Naturuan kong

bigyang-laya silang mag-isip at gumalaw. Nalaman ko ring mahalaga ang reyalistikong pagpaplano at

paglilinaw ng expectations mula sa isa’t isa. Ang bukas na komunikasyon at pantay-pantay na turingan

ay importante rin.

Isa sa mga mabibigat na pressures na nadaanan ko ay ang panahon na wala akong motibasyon at

hindi ko ito puwedeng ipakita sa kanila. Ang pagiging delicate ng Proyekto ay nangangailangan ng

palagiang pagmomotiba sa mga kasama; hindi naman sila fragile at pukpukin ngunit pakiramdam ko

ay responsibilidad ko sila. Ang seguridad halimbawa ng mga boluntir ay dapat ikonsidera. Ako na

at-home na sa jail ay natatakot para sa mga boluntir. Hindi lang naman responsibilidad ang tingin ko

sa mga kasama. Mula sa mga karanasan nila bilang direktang tumutulong sa mga inmates ay nakakakuha

rin ako ng inspirasyon.

Bilang hamon sa mga susunod na lider, maisali sana sa programa ang mas maraming estudyante

upang madama nila ang alab ng pakiramdam ng paglilingkod sa mga nangangailangan; gawing regular

ang pagbisita sa kulungan; at harapin na rin sa tulong ng ibang mga indibidwal at organisasyon ang

ibang components ng proyekto na hindi pa nauumpisahan.

Bilang Isang Boluntir

Ipagmalaki ko mang isa akong lider ng mga boluntir, pagpasok ko sa kulungan ay isa rin akong

regular na boluntir. Nakadama rin ako ng pagkamangha sa kakaibang paraan ng pamumuhay sa

loob. Hindi ako natakot, ngunit naisip ko na kung magtutulong-tulong ang mga inmates, kayang-kaya

nilang sirain ang gate, i-out-number ang mga guwardiya at tumakas dahil sa kalumaan at karupukan

ng mga bakod.

Mayroon din akong nakakatuwang istorya tungkol sa mga inmates. Kahit na lagi silang nagbibigay

ng mga sobre para sa kanilang money-making contests tulad ng Mr. & Ms. QC Jail, ay masasabing

tunay na hospitable sila. Iaalok nila sigurado ang upuan makita ka lang na nakatayo. May mga

inmates na makuwento at meron namang tingin lang nang tingin at ayaw makipag-usap. Masarap ang

pakiramdam na kilala ka na ng mga inmates. Nakakalungkot lang dahil napapansin nila kapag tumataba

ka na.

Totoong may sari-saring istorya sa loob ng jail at hindi lahat ng ito ay totoo. Sabi nga, gagawin

lahat ng isang desperadong inmate makalaya lamang. Natutunan kong parehong makinig at ingatan

ang aking sarili mula sa posible nilang panloloko.Hindi ko puwedeng hindi banggitin ang inspirasyong

nakuha ko sa mga inmates mismo ng bilangguan. Ang mga katulad ni Raymund Narag, isang matagal

nang kaibigan, at ang kanyang mga kasama sa Kapit-Bisig 2000 (pinakamataas na organisasyon ng

26


lahat ng mga inmates sa QC Jail) ay tunay na kahanga-hanga. Isa sa mga mahiwagang kaisipan na

nakuha ko kay Kuya Raymund ay mula sa binanggit niyang kasabihan na: “Ang ginto saan mo man

ilagay o itapon, siguradong kikinang.”

AplikAplikAplikAplikAplikasyasyasyasyasyon ng mga Ton ng mga Ton ng mga Ton ng mga Ton ng mga Teoreoreoreoreoryyyyyaaaaa

Malaki ang naitulong ng mga teoryang tinalakay sa klase sa pagsasakonteksto ng mga karanasan

sa Lingkod-Aral. Naging maliwanag para sa akin ang mga konsepto ng katarungan at kapantayan na

may malaking kinalaman sa sistema ng hustisya at bilangguan. Isa sa mga konkretong pagkakataon ay

ang malalim na etikal na pagpapasya na kinailangan kong harapin.

Ito ay nang ang tiyahin ko ay brutal na pinatay ng isang di pa kilala ngunit pinaghihinalaang drug

addict noong Setyembre taong 1997. Aktibo na ako noon sa Proyekto. Ngunit nang nangyari iyon,

magkahalong takot at pagkalito ang bumalot sa akin. Takot dahil sa loob ng jail ay may mga taong

may kapasidad na pagsasasaksaking din ng 32 beses ang isang taong nananahimik sa kanyang tahanan.

Pagkalito dahil naisip ko at naramdaman ko na bilang tanda ng pagmamahal ko sa aking tiya, hindi ako

tutulong ni makikisalamuha sa mga tulad nila ngunit alam ko rin na mali ito. Ilang linggo rin akong

hindi bumalik sa jail. Buti na lang at nag-sem-break kaya nagkaroon ako ng panahon para makapag-

isip at mahimasmasan.

Tulad ng katarungang sinasabi ni Immanuel KImmanuel KImmanuel KImmanuel KImmanuel Kantantantantant na pagturing sa tao bilang tao at hindi instrumento,

natutunan kong unti-unting tanggapin na may sala man o wala, may mga karapatan pa rin ang mga

inmates. Ito na siguro ang pinakamalaking hamon sa akin sa pagsasabuhay sa sinasabing rehabilitative

justice na natutunan ko mula kay FrFrFrFrFr. T. T. T. T. Tononononony Ranaday Ranaday Ranaday Ranaday Ranada, pinuno ng PRESO FPRESO FPRESO FPRESO FPRESO Foundationoundationoundationoundationoundation, at mula na rin sa

mga pinunong inmates. Mabigat mang isabuhay ang sinasabing kapantayan at katarungan kapag ikaw

na ang involved, pinilit kong ilagay sa isip na dapat itong gawin sapagkat ito rin ay makapagpapalaya sa

akin.

Sa pagpapatuloy ko sa paglilingkod sa jail, nakikita ko na hindi ako nagkamali sa desisyon ko.

Natutunan kong tingnan ang suliranin sa kriminalidad sa mas malawak na perspektibo. Ito marahil

ang sinasabi ni FleishmanFleishmanFleishmanFleishmanFleishman na pagtataguyod sa pakinabang ng bayan—isang pagkilos na pangmatagalan

at para sa kapakinabangan ng nakararami. Ang pagkukulong sa sarili sa mga masasakit at personal na

karanasan ang nakakahadlang sa pagresulba sa mga suliranin sa lipunan. Na-realize ko na malala na

nga talaga ang problema sa droga sa bansa. Maging sa aming barangay ay may manipestasyon na ito.

Sa kasalukuyan, kinikilala ng aming Sangguniang Kabataan sa Gapan, Nueva Ecija ang lumalalang

suliraning ito. Ang pagsasaalang-alang ko sa aking karanasan ay nakakatulong sa pagsusulong ng mga

proyektong laban sa adiksyon.

Natutunan ko rin ang relasyon ng pananagutan sa bayan at ng paglilingkod sa bilangguan. Ang

responsiveness bilang isang sukatan ay naisasabuhay sa pamamagitan ng pagtugon sa mga pangunahing

27


pangangailangan ng mga natukoy na sector, at sa kasong ito, sa sistemang penal at sa mga bilanggo sa

piitan.

Nuong una, tinatanong ko ang aking sarili ukol sa aking motibo sa pagtulong na nagsimula dahil

sa pagkakaroon ko ng kaibigan sa loob. Ngayon, naunawaan ko na hindi masama na magkaroon ng

pribadong interes sa loob ng kabuuang interes para sa kapakinabangan ng bayan kung hindi naman

magkatunggali ang layunin ng dalawa. Sa aking kaso, naging mahalaga ang personal na salik dahil

naging pundasyon ito ng ugnayan at tulungan.

Dagdag sa sinasabing pagtulong sa iba, pansariling pakinabang rin pala ang paglilingkod ko sa jail.

Ang kaalamang ito ay nakabawas sa aking “heroic tendencies.” Sa aking karanasan, ito ay matatawag

na punyagi tungo sa pinakamagaling at punyagi tungo sa kasayahan mula sa pagtulong sa kapwa.

Kabilang din dito ang karaniwang pansariling interes nang nagkaroon ako ng maraming kaibigan at

napaunlad ang aking kakayahan sa pakikitungo sa kapwa.

Sa aking hinaharap na pagtatapos at pagtatrabaho, alam kong marami akong haharaping pasya na

nangangailangan ng malalim na pag-iisip at konsiderasyon. Maaaring makalimutan ko na ang ibang

teorya, ngunit panatag ako sapagkat ang sandata ko ay ang oryentasyong ibinigay ng kursong ito—

ukol sa pananagutan sa lipunan na inherent sa bawat mamamayan, sa mas pormal na pananagutang

hinihingi ng pagiging lingkod-publiko, at sa kahalagahan ng pagiging moral at etikal sa mga kilos at

desisyon.

Ang Lingkod-Aral sa Quezon City Jail ay isang magandang laboratoryo para sa mga kumukuha ng

kursong ito. Bukod sa aplikasyon ng mga teorya ukol sa etika at pananagutan sa paglilingkod-publiko,

nagkaroon din ng pagmumuni ang mag-aaral ukol sa kanyang mga sariling pahalaga ukol sa mga bagay

na sa kanya dati ay nasa hangin lamang tulad ng katarungan, kapantayan, at hustisya. Kapag naging

malinaw na ang kanyang posisyon sa mga usaping ito, higit na magiging madali na ang pagsasabuhay

ng mga ito at pagdedesisyon ukol dito.

Anne Marie BAnne Marie BAnne Marie BAnne Marie BAnne Marie Barlisarlisarlisarlisarlis

28


I have had quite a rare opportunity and experience as a UP

student: that of being a UP student incarcerated at the Quezon

City Jail, and being not just a volunteer, but a coordinator of the

paralegal activities of the UP Pahinungód Quezon City Jail Program.

It was in August of 1999 when I first got involved in the Paralegal

Committee of the Kapit-Bisig 2000, Inc. -- the recognized inmates’

association of Quezon City Jail. As the outcome of a revamp of offi-

cials, I found myself as the reluctant chairman of the Paralegal Com-

mittee. I was reluctant for many reasons, among which were: 1) it

was a very important committee, one whose activities struck at the

very core of an inmate’s needs and concerns; 2) I didn’t know how

to deal with the UP student-volunteers, whom I thought wouldn’t

equally know what to do upon meeting a fellow UP student locked

behind bars.

Before I relate my experiences with the UP Pahinungód, let me

share with you briefly when and how I got jailed; as I know you’re

already itching to find out yourself.

I got involved in a fraternity hazing case back in August 1998. In

that incident, a 3rd Year BA Public Administration student of UP

Diliman by the name of Alexander Miguel Icasiano died as a result of

final initiation rites conducted by the Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity. The

case became a national news story, which compelled the then

President Joseph Estrada to order a manhunt for all the fraternity’s

officers and members. My name was included in the final list of those

charged. On November 13, 1998, around 8:30 p.m., I found myself

entering my detention center in Taft Avenue, Manila. It was a Friday

when I and my co-accused voluntarily yielded to the authorities.

We were transferred to the Quezon City Jail on January 21, 1999

on the ground that it had the proper jurisdiction over us since the

case was then pending at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

I tried to assimilate with the environment almost as soon as we got

committed to the QC Jail. It was, after all, a long and indefinite

CheCheCheCheCheyrmanyrmanyrmanyrmanyrman29


sojourn, or so I thought then. Within two weeks, I chaired the Sports Committee and began

planning a sports festival for the inmates which was quite successful in spite of the limited resources

and funds in our hands.

In any prison or detention center, activities are important distractions to keep all the idle minds

as busy as possible. For one, basketball games make them think it’s just a championship game and

that they’re just inside one big coliseum or gymnasium. It somehow makes them temporarily forget

about their families, their husbands, wives and children. To put it in a more positive light, it gives

them something to do, making it appear as though the world is still moving with them and that life

goes on - somehow.

It was amidst this gloomy painting that I accepted the responsibility of making a difference in the

desolate lives of the people around me. Partly, it was voluntary in view of what to me then was a

different kind of challenge. Partly, though, I will have to admit that it came as the inevitable conse-

quence of the fact that I, too, was part of the desolate place I had wanted to transform and reform.

And yet I felt that I had to rise above the situation, that the inmates, no matter how dark and dubious

their past may be, deserved upliftment in their lives.

The first thing I replaced was the policy of handling as many cases as possible. From my meetings

and consultations with the different cell leaders, as well as the student-volunteers and their coordina-

tors, I related my position that quality in handling the cases in lieu of quantity was going to be my

policy. So I proceeded to sort and classify the various cases piled before me, armed with the belief

that I will be able to see an inmate go free during my tenure as chairman. We were quite effective in

the implementation of that policy, and I personally witnessed the release of quite a number of

inmates whose cases were either dismissed, long overdue and pending beyond the prosecutorial

allowance set by the law, or whose applications for probation were approved as a result of the

volunteers’ relentless follow-up efforts. It was a joy each time I closed an inmate’s file and marked it

with the words: CASE CLOSED. Although inside me I hoped that the inmate found true change and

reformation in his or her brief stay in the jail.

The UP Pahinungód is a valuable agent of social justice and social change. It is the embodiment

of what the Oblation intends to portray. The UP Pahinungód, particularly the Quezon City Jail

Program is a concrete avenue for fulfilling the University of the Philippines’ obligations to the society

that it belongs to. Being the premier state university in our country, it is our sole responsibility to

shape the direction of social change and social justice; when and how this is to be undertaken. F o r

amidst all the sloganeering and name-calling, the finger-pointing, whining and blaming, the scholar

must lead the call for change. A kind of change that is translated into actions, actions that involve the

student’s very self - no less. This, in my opinion, is where the UP Pahinungód’s social role as a catalyst

lies. It is that instrument by and through which a UP student is able to enlighten his or her actual role

30


in Philippine society beyond the books and readings of the University. Upon gaining that enlighten-

ment, it also serves as his or her conduit for positive action and contribution. And what could be a

more appropriate place to start with than the prison system of the locality. It is where he or she can

find the gargantuan problems of this country, perhaps in a miniscule scale, but no less systemic and

systematic. I remember it being said in the movie Con Air, that in order to measure how civilized a

country is, you merely have to look at the way it treats its prisoners.

The Quezon City Jail is one big theater where one can see all the problems of our society

encapsulated in a diorama of sorts, where the inmates and the jailguards are the actors, and UP

student-volunteers try to come in and effect change. There are problems on human rights abuse,

inadequate food, water, and shelter space. Also, there are problems in garbage collection, division

and gang competition. Of course, the heart of all these problems is the ignorance of inmates being

continuously exploited by the corruption and unscrupulousness of the officials. But that is another

story altogether.

JefJefJefJefJeffrfrfrfrfreeeeey Ry Ry Ry Ry Rodenodenodenodenoden

31


Mayroon ba? May nangyari ba? Katulad pa rin ng dating istruktura ang kulungan. Ang

sistema ng pandurugas ay nandiyan pa rin. Ang mga kapwa inmate ay instrumento pa rin

ng korupsyon. Nandiyan pa rin ang ilang mga buraot na jail guards. Kumokotong sa lahat ng

pagkakataon. Malaki pa rin ang problema sa prostitusyon; ang ilang babaeng inmates, noong bagong

sampa ay mga dalaga pa, ngayon, mga nanay na. Nandiyan pa rin ang alak. Lalong naging talamak

ang problema sa droga. Marami nga ang nakakulong na di alam kung ano ang drugs noong simula,

paglaya, mga drug addict na. May mga katulad akong simpleng estudyante, walang kamalay-malay sa

kahalayan ng mundo, ngayon, mga pinuno na sila ng mga pangkat. Utak preso. Halang ang mga

kaluluwa.

Marami pa rin ang mga nagtatangkang tumakas. Wala kasi silang nakikitang pag-asa: mabagal na

takbo ng kaso, parating naililiban. Hirap pa rin ang kanilang kalagayan. Aba’y mahirap nga naman

ang nakatunganga ng buong maghapon. Nagbibilang ng mga rehas sa kisame, naghahanap ng musika

sa padyak ng mga naglalakad na tao. Kaya minabuti nilang takbuhan ang batas. Di bale nang itaya

ang buhay, makita lang ang pamilya. Tutal sa loob, buhay nga, patay pa rin naman ang turing.

Samantala, meron namang ilan na pabalik-balik sa kulungan. Ginawa na nga itong bakasyunan.

Kasi ba naman, mas may pagkakataon pa silang mabuhay ng maayos dito kaysa sa laya. Kahit papaano,

libre ang pagkain, tubig at koryente. Pati nga guwardiya, libre. Kumpara sa laya, mas tahimik na ang

buhay nila sa loob. Di kasi sila hinahayaang pumarehas ng mga pulis: ang tingin sa kanila laging

gagawa ng krimen. Baka ma-salvage pa. Magbakasyon na lang muna sa city jail.

Tinatanong ako ngayon kung ano ang repleksyon ko sa UP Pahinungod. Mag-aapat na taon na

simula nang sila ay naging pormal na bahagi ng mga volunteers ng Quezon City Jail. ‘Yan ang

sitwasyon noon. ‘Yan pa rin ngayon. Mayroon ba silang naitulong sa pagbabago ng kulungan? Ah,

meron ba?

Ang mga volunteers ay pumupunta rito at kumukuha ng mga problemadong kaso ng mga

inmates. Mula sa simple: tulad ng pagkuha ng date of hearing, kung kailan ang arraignment at date

of promulgation, hanggang sa mabigat: tulad ng paggawa ng mga testimonya at paghanap ng mga

testigo. Sila ay nakipaggitgitan sa mga empleyado ng jail, minsan nakikipagtarayan pa, para lang

maibigay sa mga inmates ang resulta ng kaso. Minsan nga ay napapaiyak: matapos mamuti ang mga

mata sa kahihintay sa korte sa resulta ng papel na inilalakad, ay sasabihan na babalik na lang sa ibang

araw. Muntik na ring mabaliw, lalo na kung matapos sabihang pumunta sa ganitong opisina ay

ipapasa naman sa iba, at susunod naman at ipapasang muli. Ginagastusan nila mula sa kanilang

sariling bulsa: pamasahe para hanapin ang mga nawawalang presinto ng pulis para makuha ang

certificate of detention, pagpapa-xerox sa mga mahahalagang dokumento tulad ng commitment

TTTTTulongulongulongulongulong32


order sa mental hospital, at pang-long distance sa mga nakakalimot na

kamag-anak. Pinagpapaguran at itinataguyod. Pilit na pinapakilos ang

ga-pagong na pag-usad ng burukrasya. Ah, inangkin na ng mga volun-

teers ang problema ng mga detenido: sensitibo sila para sa mga

kaluluwang nawalan na ng pandama.

Oo, maraming natulungan ang mga volunteers. Ilang nga ba ang

ina ang di magkamayaw sa pasasalamat noong maiabot ang kanilang

mga release order? Kita ko sa kanilang mga mata ang kasabikang makita

ang mga anak. Ah, kung wala sina Zak, Madet, Venus, Carlyn, Tet,

Janice, at iba pa, siguro mananatili pa sila ng ilang buwan o dili kaya ay

taon bago nila masilayan ang kanilang pamilya. At paano kung nahuli

na, paano kung ang kanilang anak ay napariwara na rin? Ah, di lang

natulungan ang mga taong nakakulong, natulungan din ang mga

kaluluwang umaasa sa mga kanila.

Kahit lang sa pantawid gutom. Nang maibenta ng mga volunteers

ang paper bags na gawa ni Malou, isang worker ng livelihood program,

aba, nabayaran niya lahat ang utang sa kanyang Mayora. At nakapaglibre

pa. Ang grupo ni Anthon ay pumapakyaw ng mga produkto, at kanilang

ibinebenta sa mga estudyante sa UP. Wala ng tubo, ang mahalaga,

tuloy ang produksyon nina Malou.

Minsan nakakatuwang panoorin sina Len at Joan habang tinuturuan

nila ng pagbabasa ang isang babaeng halos ina na nilang maituring. O

dili kaya ay sina Roseanne, Loray, Kathy at Jhen na nakikipagkulitan

upang maituro ang grammar sa grupo ng mga lalaking inmates na

walang ginawa kundi magpa-cute sa kanila. Dama ko na di lamang

tinuturuan ang mga detenido ng basic literacy, nag-uugnayan din ang

kanilang mga kalooban. May komunikasyon na nagaganap: isang

pagtanggap sa mga boses na matagal nang di napapakinggan. Muli

silang nabibigyan ng pagkakataon upang buhayin ang pagkawalang-

muwang sa kanilang mga puso. Pagkawalang-muwang na matagal nang

pinatay ng kahalayan at panlilinlang ng mundo.

Ngunit ang kahalayan ng mundo ay sadyang napakalakas. Tila

sinasabi na ang tao ay sadyang may kahinaan ang loob, di marunong

ipaglaban ang tama. Hindi ko maintidihan bakit si Chabelita, matapos

ang pagpa-follow up ng kanyang kaso ng grupo nina Maricel, mula

pagkuha ng date of arraignment hanggang dismissal order, ay nandito

33


na naman. Muli na naman daw siyang napagbintangan ng pagkuha ng t-shirt sa ShoeMart. Nagkaroon

na naman ng ilusyon na siya ay anak ni Henry Sy at puwedeng mag-shopping kahit walang pera. At

nang tinanong kung bakit narito, ang sagot: kailangan niya ng pambili ng gatas ang nagugutom na

pamangkin. Diyos na mahabagin! Ilang anak at pamangkin ang kailangang mabuhay na ang kapalit ay

kalayaan ng mga nagbigay sa kanila ng buhay?

Kapit sa patalim. ‘Yan ang karaniwang sagot ng mga detenido kung bakit sila nakakagawa ng mga

krimen. Maging sa loob ng kulungan. Si Ricky na tagabenta ng saging sa laya, at napag-trip-an ng mga

pulis noong minsang umihi siya sa pader,ay ngayon kabayo na rin, o runner ng magbebenta ng droga.

Ewan ko kung paano natuto, subalit alam na niya ang lahat ng diskarte. Di siya papayag na paghahatian

ng mga kapatid ng kanyang asawa ang kanyang limang anak. Kailangan niyang kumita sa loob ng

kulungan kahit sa anong kaparaanan. Dahil noong siya ay inalagak sa apat ng kuwadro ng kulungang

ito, kailan man ay hindi tumigil ang kanyang responsibilidad bilang isang ama. Buhay ang dugo na

nananalaytay sa kanyang katawan, kamatayan man ang simoy ng kanyang kapaligiran, kanya itong

hihigupin, maibuga man lamang ng sariwang hangin sa kanyang mga kadugo.

Pilit kong inilalapit si Ricky sa mga volunteers: Na sana ay mapalaya siya bago tuluyang maging

adik. Si Ricky ay isang tao na nasa bingit na ng kumunoy, hinihigop, mamaya lang ay matutuluyan na

siya. Ang mga volunteers ang nagsisilbing mga kahoy na kanyang pagkakapitan upang siya ay maiahon.

Pansamantala, sila ang mga tagapagligtas. Oo, pansamantala. Sapagkat maiahon man siya sa kumunoy

ngayon, walang kasiguruhan na siya ay di mahuhulog muli. Maibigay man ang tulong na kailangan niya

ngayon, nariyan pa rin ang panganib na muli ito ay babalik

At ang kwento ni Ricky ay kasaysayan ng karamihan ng mga inmates. Kwentong paulit-ulit. Di

maubos-ubos. Di matapos-tapos.

Ang kailangan ng mga detenido ay alternatibo sa kasalukuyan nilang kalagayan. Kailangan nila ng

mga livelihood programs upang maging produktibo sa loob. Hindi sila dapat umaasa lamang sa dalaw.

Ang pamahalaan nama’y hikahos sa pondo upang tugunan kahit man lang batayang pangangailan ng

mga detenido. Kadalasan, ito ang dahilan kung bakit ang mga inmate ay parang linta na sinisipsip ang

dugo ng kapwa inmate. At ang mga mahihina, ang mga walang pera, ang mga walang kapangyarihan

ay kawawa. Pinagkaitan na ng katarungan ng lipunan, alila pa sila ng mga naghaharian sa kulungan.

Kailangan nila ng edukasyon upang sa kanilang paglaya ay di na sila mangmang. Maimulat sa

kanila ang tama at mali. Malaman nila ang kanilang mga karapatan bilang mga mamamayan. Bigyan

sila ng kapangyarihang mag-isip para sa kanilang mga sarili. Ang edukasyon ay kanilang armas laban sa

pang-aabuso ng mga pulis, ang kanilang sandata sa mga manlilinlang na abugado, ang kanilang katwiran

upang isiwalat ang katotohanan sa husgado, ang kanilang gabay upang tanggapin ang repormasyon na

iniaalok ng pamahalaan. Hayaan nating mangmang ang mga taong ito at makikita nating di na kailangang

gumawa pa ng kulungan: tayo’y napapalibot na rito.

34


Tulong. Kailangang umusad ang kanilang mga kaso upang di sila manghinayang sa oras na tumatakbo

at kakakitaan sila ng pag-asa. Kailangan nila ng mga makikinig sa kanilang panig ng kwento, kailangan

nila ng mapagbubuhusan ng mga sama ng loob. Opo, maaring nagawa nila ang krimen, subalit kailangan

malaman nila ang kanilang pagkakamali upang di na sila gagawa ng isa pang pagkakamali.

Ang UP-Ugna-Ugna-Ugna-Ugna-Ugnayyyyyan ng Pan ng Pan ng Pan ng Pan ng Pahinungodahinungodahinungodahinungodahinungod ay naging daluyan ng mga proyektong ito. At magiging daluyan

pa. Di man lahat ng detenido ay nabibigyan ng kanilang serbisyo, di man lahat ay kanilang napapakinggan,

di man lahat ay tuluyan nilang natulungan, di man nagbabago ang istruktura ng pandarambong sa

kulungan, malaki na ang kanilang naitulong.

Sapagkat ang kanilang tulong ay naroon sa puso ng bawat isa na kanilang nahipo. Naroon sa mga

taong napanatiling malinis ang kanilang kalooban bagamat marumi ang sitwasyon. Naroon sa mga

taong ayaw tanggapin ang bansag na kriminal, bagamat kriminal na silang naturingan. Naroon sa mga

taong kumilala at nagbigay halaga sa mga tulong.

At ako’y lubos na nagpapasalamat at kumikilala sa tulong ng Pahinungod. Sa aking anim na taon

inilagi sa kulungan, hindi ako naging isang kriminal. At kailan man ay hindi.

RaRaRaRaRaymund Narymund Narymund Narymund Narymund Naragagagagag

35


1868 inmates. Prior to spending most of my time trying to maintain, if not to make the

Quezon City Jail Project work, this figure only meant a shocking totality of males and

females who have been accused of committing various crimes to society currently suffering the price

of their alleged wrongdoings in the jail of Quezon City. Today, having been the coordinator of this

program since it was officially turned over to me in the latter part of 1997, I have completely turned

away from this impression. After my countless visits to the jail, meeting more than a few of the

inmates, knowing their stories and gaining an improved perception of them, each of the 1,868 in-

mates started to form faces in my mind. They weren’t just numbers anymore for they have started

to shape like people… normal people, just like me.

Indeed, they are very much like me except for their lack of life’s conveniences that could other-

wise be remedied if we would only do our share in making the system work. True, some, and

I repeat, only some of them have committed the crime being accused to them, and there are those

who are simply indicted. Nonetheless, having committed a crime should not be the end of all the

chances of a person to live normally. Yet in our society, merely being accused of a crime marks the

end of one’s opportunity to live life the way most of us would want to. Instead of helping these

people who have wronged others, we often force them to go on with their criminal ways by not

giving them the opportunity to become better members of the society.

The drug addicts (a large percentage of the inmates of QCJ have drug related cases) for instance,

definitely need help. We may not be able to offer the medical or psychiatric assistance that each of

them should be provided with in the first place, but we absolutely can do something about it. I am not

even referring to campaigns that numerous anti-drug advocates do, I am simply talking about this act

that each of us can do on our own — not being judgmental to dope victims. I know this may not be

as easy as it may seem. I understand that after reading or watching news stories of heinous crimes

committed by seemingly crazy people under the influence of heroine or any kind of drug, it is very

hard not to judge. However, reading and listening to testimonies of drug addicts would reveal that

the most important thing they need to overcome their trial is our understanding. What about the

case of a thief or someone who committed estafa or even that of murder? Must we just forget all they

have done to their victims in order to give way to their reasons and understand them in the end? This

is not the argument of my story. I contest that people should be responsible for their acts. I also

agree that justice must rule and the perpetrators of crimes must be punished. Nevertheless, I also

believe in giving people second, third or fourth chances, if needed, to improve themselves and learn

to do good deeds by showing them ways to achieve these goals. I know groups of people who try to

do their share through countless acts of kindness.

A sense of frA sense of frA sense of frA sense of frA sense of freedomeedomeedomeedomeedom36


They go to the jail, not being related or knowing anyone of the

inmates, yet serving them in any way they can… what they do is often

referred to as an act of volunteerism, I call it an act of love… that of an

unconditional love. I have been privileged to get to know some of

these people through my task of supervising volunteers to the QC Jail

Project. I help them prepare for their future role as Pahinungóds at

Quezon City Jail. I try to guide them as they go along doing some

paralegal work here and some counseling activities there. After almost

four years of fulfilling this task, I have come to form different

categories of volunteers as follows: “the dedicated” (sometimes even

over-dedicated who wouldn’t give up until the case is finished), “the

just-curious” (who just really want to see what’s in a jail), “the lost”

(trying to put more meaning into their lives by doing volunteer work),

“the adventurous” (who think that the jail project spells adventure),

and “the friends” (friends of the dedicated ones who simply want to

tag along or friends of the inmates whom we wish to serve). There

may be different types of volunteers, but I have come to conclude that

deep in their hearts, all of them simply wish to serve the community

of people not all volunteers would want to help. I have witnessed how

being volunteers to this program have created an impact on their lives

and transformed them. Some of them may have disappointed me, yet,

most of them continuously inspire and endow me with the much-

needed support to go on being the coordinator of the program.

There were times when these volunteers would come to me and

share their feelings… the feeling of not being able to do more… the

feeling of being able to do only this much for the inmates. For such

sentiments, this is what I say to them: “Finishing a case or handing over

the release papers of some inmates does not mark one’s success as a

jail volunteer. Some of you may be able to make a difference in the

lives of some inmates, some may not, but the more important part is…

serving them has made a difference in yours.”

I have never considered my job as the Quezon City Jail Project

coordinator as difficult as I do now. I am beginning to feel certain

emotions that weren’t there during my early times of involvement in

the project. I used to enjoy visiting the jail, talking with the inmates and

knowing what’s on their minds. “Used to” meaning such sentiment no

longer holds true to this moment.

37


The hassles and discomforts from having to go through the thorough body search, the stinking

odor of oftentimes uncollected garbage that welcomes any visitor upon entering the jail complex, the

fear for the tattooed men dominating the area, the hostile looks from some female inmates if they

have never seen you before in the vicinity, the humidity inside their pitiful cells … none of these serve

as my reason for recently dreading the days when I am obliged to go to the jail.

I have to go to QC Jail tomorrow. I will be seeing the same awful conditions of 1,856 inmates

forcibly being accommodated in a jail which was constructed to house at most only one-fourth of the

present inmate population. I will be witnessing the loneliness in them even as they try to mask it with

wide grins and cheery eyes. I will get a glimpse of those who obviously wish to go out of their cells

and be free to move about the environment that they have, but cannot because of some jail political

structure that further curtails what’s left of their freedom as persons. I will be tormented once again

by the fact that some of them do not deserve to be there at all! I will be meeting the same hopeful

eyes whenever they see me around knowing I could not give them what they really want most… their

freedom. After almost four years of doing my share to alleviate the conditions in the jail, I feel like

giving up when I face the same pathetic conditions whenever I go to there. These are the reasons why

I now resent going to the QC Jail and why I find my job assignment more difficult than it used to be.

When Ma’am Grace Dalisay, former Pahinungód Diliman and System Director, first requested

me to accompany them during their visit to the QC Jail for project documentation, I panicked and

anticipated the occasion at the same time. It was an opportunity for me to finally see “what’s in a

jail.” The momentous visit made me more than just appreciate my present condition as a free citizen.

It was this realization that encouraged me to volunteer as the key person for the QC Jail Project.

For years since the project was officially handed over to me in 1997, I found myself focusing more

on the QC Jail Project tasks rather than on my official assignments then as the Information Officer

(and I must add, even now that I have become the University Researcher of the Ugnayan ng Pahinungód

Diliman). The closer I got to the inmates, the more emotionally attached I got to the project.

Consequently, I felt all the more driven to do all that I can within the bounds of my capability, just so

I could do my share in improving the conditions of the sufferers from the confines of a jail.

For a while, I thought everything was going smoothly. The students of then College of Public

Administration, who were the first volunteers to the program, were following up the status of their

assigned cases. As a result, the volunteers discovered that some of the cases were already dismissed.

However, these were not brought forth to the knowledge and attention of the inmates concerned

until the persistent Pahinungóds did so. Simultaneous with the monitoring part, related activities

were also being conducted at the QC Jail. Yet, everyone knew that the most important task was the

case-monitoring component of the program.

38


During the latter part of the second semester of AY 1997-1998, the increase in problems due to

the academic load and extra curricular activities of the student volunteers began. Such concerns

were constantly discussed in every meeting’s agenda. Together with the program proponent and

adviser, Dr. Maricon Alfiler, I acknowledged the limitations of the volunteers as students. But this

recognition was not fully realized by the hopeful inmates of QCJ. They noticed, however, the sudden

halt to the UP volunteers’ visits to their community during that time. While activities such as health

education seminars, paralegal lectures, marketing of QCJ products and other medical support

extended to the inmates might have depicted UP’s sincere interest to support them in their quest for

improved jail conditions, the disappearance of the regular volunteers in the jail, on the one hand,

might have reflected the volunteers’ lack of dedication to help the detainees. This impression might

not be true, but since some of the volunteers did not pursue the monitoring of their case assign-

ments, the inmates can only assume and conclude this. These problems persist to this day, but the

detainees who now know the volunteers better than before, have come to understand their limita-

tions as student volunteers.

Most of the inmates at the QC Jail thirst for people to listen to their angst, while some simply

need someone to talk with. For case monitoring purposes, the volunteers hold interview sessions

with the inmates. It is during this activity that personal interaction between a volunteer and an

inmate occurs. Furthermore, it is during such situation that a volunteer earns the trust of a detainee

and vice versa. The unfolding of an inmate’s life story evokes various emotions on the part of the

volunteer. As the coordinator of the project, I did not get the chance to handle cases. This premise

did not, however, stop me from having personal interactions with the inmates. During my visits to

the jail, I see to it that I get to say “hello” to the inmates whom I got to meet during my previous visits.

This way, they know that I remember, not only the persons, but also what I have told these people.

Keeping in mind what I have told them made me persist in my search for prospective people, organi-

zations, and offices for the realization of their proposed projects. The project taught us rule #1 at the

QC Jail: Do not make any promises to the inmates unless you are certain to fulfill them. I did not

make any promises, but I kept my word when I said I would do my best to support them.

The Quezon City Jail Project is a very sensitive program in many aspects. Firstly, it involves lives,

not only of the detainees, but also, of the victims. Secondly, it deals with trust. Trust in the volunteers

whenever the inmates convey their fateful stories, and trust in the inmates whenever the volunteers

listen to their tragic tales. With such serious considerations involved, dedication becomes the primary

proviso that the project entails from any of the volunteers along with the other people involved in the

program.

We are often questioned by many of our choice to serve this kind of people. They reason the

risks involved in the service that we offer. They believe there are far better volunteer programs

wherein the students, faculty, staff or alumni of the University of the Philippines can devote their

39


knowledge, skills and time to. They say we can do more if we prioritize educational programs.

I understand their apprehensions but I cannot comprehend why they cannot see the educational

component of the QC Jail Project and why we should help precisely this kind of people.

If everyone else would keep ignoring these already often-forgotten members of the society, who

else would take note of them? Among my seemingly endless list of learnings from the program, my

service as the coordinator of the QC Jail Project has made me realize the value of my freedom — my

freedom to live my life the way I want to outside the confines of a jail, and my freedom to serve the

people living inside the jail.

Ma. Abigail MerMa. Abigail MerMa. Abigail MerMa. Abigail MerMa. Abigail Mercadocadocadocadocado

40


41

Mga Kuwento Sa LoobBilanggo

The practice

A jail love story

Pangkatan ka ba?

Rancho... atbpang salitang loob

Filipino values that thrive at the QC Jail


Maganda si Eva. Maputi at makinis ang kanyang kutis ngunit para siyang diwatang nawalan

ng buhay. Siya ay labing siyam na taong gulang. Sa kanyang kaanyuan, hindi siya mukhang

bilanggo. Pero bakit siya nakakulong?

Ipinakulong siya ng kanyang amo dahil nagnakaw daw siya ng mga alahas. Apat na buwan nang

nakakulong si Eva sa Quezon City Jail. Si Eva ay isang katulong bago siya nakulong. Siya ay taga-

Visayas bago napadpad sa Maynila. Ayon na rin sa kanya ay ginahasa siya ng kanyang among lalaki.

Nalaman ng asawa nito ang nangyari. Sa galit ng kanyang among babae, pinagbintangan si Eva na

gumawa ng isang kasalanang hindi man lamang niya naisip na gawin — ang pagnanakaw. Dahil nga

estranghero siya dito sa Maynila ay wala siyang nagawa para patunayan ang kanyang kawalan ng

kasalanan. Sa maikling salita, siya ay ikinulong.

Ang istorya ni Eva ay hindi bago. Siya ay isang walang malay na batang pinagsamantalahan ng

kanyang amo. Wala siyang makuhang abogado na magtatanggol sa kanya kaya’t inaasahan niya na

ang hatol sa kanya ay kampi sa amo niyang manlalamang. Gustuhin man ni Eva na itayo ang kanyang

dangal at ilagan ang mga dagok sa kanyang pagkatao ay hindi niya magawa sapagkat kulang ang

kanyang nalalaman tungkol sa batas at sa kanyang mga karapatan.

Ang mga ganitong kasaysayan ng buhay ay hindi na bago sa atin. Malimit natin itong mabasa sa

mga pahayagan at mapanood sa telebisyon. Bakit nga ba padami sila nang padami? Ganyan na ba

kabulok ang sistemang ating kinabibilangan? Ang sagot ko ay oo, ganyan na nga! Sino ba ang dapat

nating sisihin sa sinapit ni Eva at ng kanyang mga kauri? Hindi ba’t ang lipunan lamang?

Hindi nila kasalanan ang magpunta dito sa Maynila upang makipagsapalaran sa buhay. Hindi rin

naman nila kasalanan kung hindi sila naturuan ng kanilang mga karapatan. Labis akong nanlulumo

kapag nakakarinig ako ng mga ganitong uri ng kuwento. Ayaw ko ang katotohanang nakabilad sa

aking harapan, ang katotohanang maraming naaapi sa lipunang ating ginagalawan, ang katotohanang

hindi pantay-pantay ang mga tao pagdating sa napakaraming aspekto ng pamumuhay tulad ng pera,

kapangyarihan at lalung-lalo na sa batas.

BilanggoBilanggoBilanggoBilanggoBilanggo

KristofKristofKristofKristofKristoffffffer Vincent San Migueler Vincent San Migueler Vincent San Migueler Vincent San Migueler Vincent San Miguel

42


I am an avid fan of The PrThe PrThe PrThe PrThe Practiceacticeacticeacticeactice, an award winning drama

episode shown in RPN-9. I usually do not join my friends on

their Saturday night videoke gimmicks just to watch it. And now that it

was moved to Tuesday nights, I forego my review sessions just to hear

their closing arguments. I devour every word the actors and actresses

say. I am thrilled no end by what they can do for their clients.

The series revolves around criminal lawyers who come to the aid

of some beleaguered defendants. They make sure that the right of the

accused to equal protection of the law will not be violated. They present

their cases with intelligent arguments and convincing emotions. Their

dialogues are well crafted.

I want to become a great lawyer like them. I can almost imagine

myself in the middle of the courtroom smashing my opponents’ argu-

ments to smithereens. I can feel that I am delivering justice, being a

pillar of democracy. But not just yet. I cannot take up law classes.

There’s a conflict of schedule. There are restrictions on my move-

ments. I have to settle to being a volunteer.

I volunteered to be part of the paralegal committee in one of the

big jails in Metro Manila. I tied up with the University of the Philip-

pines-Ugnayan ng Pahinungód Diliman. There, I interviewed many

inmates who have problems with their cases. And like Eugene Young

of The Practice, I was shocked by my interviews.

There is one accused of playing tong-its and have stayed in jail for

more than two years already and the case is still on going! Another is

waiting for the promulgation of his case for three years now when

cases have to be decided in a 90-day period. What happened to the

provision about giving the accused a speedy, fair and public trial?

I have been a paralegal volunteer for five years now and I have

come to terms with the realities of the Philippine justice system. The

Practice is only good for television.

The prThe prThe prThe prThe practiceacticeacticeacticeactice43


In The Practice, the accused tell their stories and their lawyers take it from there and prepare

their defense. Here, the accused are mahiyain, they stand in awe if not in fear of their lawyers. This

is specially true for those who make use of the services of the Public Attorneys Office who discuss the

nature of their defense only moments before the accused take the witness stand. Kaya nagkautal-utal

ang inmate. Inamin ang di dapat aminin. In The Practice, the defense lawyers tell their clients to plead

guilty only when they have truly committed the crime so they can bargain for lighter penalties. In the

Philippines, PAO lawyers advise their clients on the first day they meet to plead guilty so they can

move to another case. (This is why they are known among the detaineess as PAO PAAMIN.) Never

mind if the accused are innocent. Admission of guilt is the convenient way out.

In The Practice, the judges, the state prosecutors, the defense lawyers, the accused, the witness,

and the victims are treated as equals. Here, everyone is treated differently. The lowest in the social

order are the accused.

In The Practice, the prosecutors fight for the state and for the administration of justice. In our

ase, they are in the service of the complainant. They are instruments for exacting vengeance to the

point of manufacturing lies.

In my favorite TV series, cases are decided based on the merits. Here in our country, cases are

decided on the basis of the litigant’s proximity to those who hold political power. Brasuhan, gapangan,

gulangan…

The Practice flourishes under a system of fair play and honest work. Here, the practice labors

under a system of double standards, dishonesty and trickery. Theirs is an embodiment of justice.

Ours is a mockery of it.

That is the difference between The Practice and our practice. They pratice law. We praktis law.

I know, napagpraktisan na ako ng sistema.

44

RRRRRoberoberoberoberoberto Ragespinoto Ragespinoto Ragespinoto Ragespinoto Ragespino


Jay could not date his wife this Valentine’s Day. He has been

locked up in the Quezon City Jail for quite some time now.

Their relationship is turning sour. His present condition is draining his

family resources. Three days before the season of hearts, February

11, his wife visited him, without their two children. He sensed some-

thing.

Their conversation was cold. It was an unromantic litany of what

to do with the kids and the house. The same set of problems and

complaints was irritating Jay. This was followed by their recurrent

debate on whose fault it was. They were about to go on blaming each

other when they were suddenly interrupted by the wild cheering of

the inmates out in the veranda of the jail. Someone was playing the

guitar. They stopped fighting. They could not resist listening to the

music. It was one of their favorites.

From their cramped cell at the jail’s congested Annex building,

they went out, asked for the jail guard’s permission, and treated them-

selves to hearing more wonderful tunes at the jail’s plaza. There they

witnessed a group of young students from the University of the Philip-

pines College of Music, who volunteered to Pahinungód’s Quezon City

Jail Project, performing a pre-Valentine show for them. The mini-

concert, made more festive because of the simultaneous celebration

of the Quezon City Jail Warden’s birthday, was taking them back to

good old times. A thousand inmates and their visitors were singing to

the played tunes. They, too, hummed with the crowd. A serenade

with a flute, a guitar and a vocalist for about two hours had softened

their hardened hearts. Before Jay could realize it, his wife was holding

on to his hand. And when the guitarist plucked the strings to the tune

A jail loA jail loA jail loA jail loA jail lovvvvve store store store store storyyyyy

Oftentimes, volunteers come to us expressing that they don’t feel worthy to be

called Pahinungód. This is due to their perception that as volunteers they benefit

more from the program than the inmates whom they are supposed to be serving. As

the program coordinator of the Quezon City Jail Project, I wish to share this story

with all the volunteers who often do not see how even their littlest effort could

touch the lives of other people.

45


of “It Might Be You,” Jay’s wife cried. They were playing their song. They suddenly hugged each

other and the old feelings were brought to life.

The program ended to give way to the jail’s due headcount. Jay escorted his wife to the gate on

her way out before going back to his jam-packed cell. Though his wife had to leave him again, he no

longer felt alarmed. He promised he would be a changed man upon release. His wife bade him

goodbye with the hopeful line “Maghihintay kami sa ‘yo.”

RaRaRaRaRaymund Narymund Narymund Narymund Narymund Naragagagagag

46


Nabuo ang aming ideya para sa papel noong unang punta pa

lang namin sa Quezon City Jail bilang mga bagong saltang

Pahinungód. Nakita namin ang mga simbolo sa iba’t ibang gusali.

Napag-alaman naming mga bahay pala ito ng mga tinatawag nilang

“gang” sa loob ng kulungan. Napag-isip-isip namin kung ang lahat ng

mga pumapasok sa kulungang ito ay kabilang sa mga pangkat na iyon.

Nang tinanong namin si Kuya Raymund at Chris (mga inmates na galing

UP at bahagi ng proyekto) kung sila ba ay bahagi ng pangkat, ang

sagot nila ay hindi. Naging palaisipan tuloy sa amin ito. Bakit at papaano

pumapasok ang mga inmates sa gang? Bakit ang iba ay hindi sumasapi?

Ang mga babae ba ay kasapi rin sa mga gang na ito? Ano ang pagkakaiba

ng gang sa bawat isa?

Ang kAng kAng kAng kAng kasaasaasaasaasayyyyysasasasasayyyyyan ng mga Pan ng mga Pan ng mga Pan ng mga Pan ng mga Pangkangkangkangkangkat sa QC Jailat sa QC Jailat sa QC Jailat sa QC Jailat sa QC Jail

Sigue-Sigue Sputnik

Ang pinakamatandang nabubuhay na pangkat. Ito ay itinayo

matapos mabuwag ang Sigue-Sigue Gang noong 1959. Ang matagumpay

na paglapag ng spaceship na Sputnik sa buwan ang nabunsod upang

pangalanan na Sputnik ang nasabing pangkat noong 1962. Sa unang

limang taon ng Sputnik, mula 1959-1964, ang kapanahunan na halos

araw-araw ang giyera sa Muntinlupa, ito ay mabilis na lumaki. Halos

isang-katlo (1/3) ng populasyon ng Munti ay kasapi rito. Ang mabilis

na paglaki ng Sigue-Sigue Sputnik ay naging daan rin para ito ay

makakitaan ng kahinaan. Dahil sa likas na rehiyonalismo ng mga Pilipino,

marami ang tumiwalag sa Sputnik at nagbuo ng sari-sariling pangkat.

Sa panahon ng pamamayagpag ng Sputnik, naitayo ang Genuine Ilokano

Gang ng mga mula sa hilaga. Happy Go Lucky ng mga Cebuano at ang

Batang Mindanao o Batman ng mga mula sa timog na bahagi ng Pilipinas.

Ang mga kasapi nitong lumaya ay nagsama-sama pa rin at itinayo nila

ang kanilang pangkat sa labas ng kulungan. Ang mga nakulong muli sa

mga detention centers at sa mga city jails ang siyang nagtayo naman ng

Sputnik dito. Sa Quezon City Jail, naitayo ang Sputnik noong 1974.

Ang Sputnik ay malakas na sa mga city jails lalo na sa Manila, Caloocan

at Quezon City Jails. Marami sa mga pulis-presinto ang tumatangkilik

PPPPPangkangkangkangkangkatan katan katan katan katan ka ba?a ba?a ba?a ba?a ba?47


sa Sputnik kung kaya’t marami itong nare-recruit sa mga presinto pa lamang. Marami sa mga squat-

ters area sa nasabing siyudad ay may buhay na organisasyon ng Sputnik.

Sigue-Sigue Commando

Ito ang pangalawang pangkat na naitayo mula sa Sigue-Sigue Gang. Noong Setyembre 18,1958,

sila ay humiwalay mula sa pinakahanay na pangkat. Nakita nila ang malupit na pamamalakad ng mga

nanunungkulan ng nasabing pangkat kung kaya’t sila ay nagnais na humiwalay. Ang Commando ang

pinakamahigpit na naging kaaway ng Sputnik, ang naiwan na Sigue-Sigue. Ito ay naging pormal na

pangkat noong 1966. Mula 1959-1966, matinding hirap ang naging buhay ng Commando. Ang kanilang

kasapi ay hiwa-hiwalay at wala silang sariling bahay. Subalit ang matinding hangarin ng mga ito na

magtayo ng sariling pangkat ang naging dahilan para ibigay sa kanila ang isang brigada sa Muntinlupa.

Karamihan sa mga naging kasapi nito ay mga Kapampangan o mga tubong Region 3. Ang matagumpay

na pagkabuo ng Commando ang naging simula rin para magsunuran ang mga ibang rehiyon. Sa mga

panahong ito, halos araw-araw pa rin ang giyera sa loob ng Munti.

Tulad ng Sputnik, karamihan sa mga lumaya ay nagsama-sama at nagtayo ng mga pangkat sa labas

ng kulungan. Ang Commando ay malakas sa Baguio City, Angeles at iba pang siyudad sa Gitnang

Luzon. Naitayo ang Commando Gang sa loob ng Quezon City jail noong 1993. Tulad ng naranasan

nila sa Muntinlupa, di rin sila kaagad nagkaroon ng bahay sa QC Jail. Sila ay naghiwa-hiwalay sa iba’t

ibang brigada. Sa dami nila at sa pangambang magkagulo, minabuti ng management na sila ay pagsama-

samahin na lamang. Ang Commando ang pinakakaunti sa kasalukuyan sa Quezon City jail.

Batang City Jail International (BCJ 32)

Ang Batang City Jail ang pinakabago sa lahat ng pangkat sa Muntinlupa. Ito ay mula sa Ex-convict

organization o OXO at nabuo bilang reaksyon sa pagdodomina ng Sputnik. Ito ay itinatag noong 1967,

ang panahon nang nasa pinakamataas na punto ng kaguluhan sa Munti. Ito ay binuo ng tatlumpu’t

dalawang katao (32) na kung saan nila hinango ang pangalang BCJ 32. Ito ang pangkat na mahigpit na

nagpapatupad ng kanilang mga batas. Sa ngayon, ang Batang City Jail ang pinakamalaking pangkat sa

Muntinlupa. Ito ay dahil sa mga death convicts na napupunta sa kanilang brigada.

Ang Batang City Jail ang pinakamabilis na lumago sa mga pangkat na naitayo batay sa rehiyonalismo.

Ang mga kasapi nito ay karaniwang mga taga- Visayas na napadpad sa Maynila. Ang pakikipag-alyansa

nito sa mga pangkat na galing sa timog tulad ng Batman, Happy Go Lucky at Batang-Samar-Leyte ang

nagbigay sa kanya ng malakas na pundasyon upang banggain ang mga tradisyonal na pangkat sa Munti.

Kaunti ang mga presintong hawak ng Batang City Jail sa Metro Manila subalit malakas ang kanilang

pagre-recruit sa mga city jail mismo. Sa kasalukuyan, ang may pinakamaraming miyembro sa QC Jail

ay ang BCJ.

48


PPPPPakikipanaakikipanaakikipanaakikipanaakikipanayyyyyam Sa Mga Maam Sa Mga Maam Sa Mga Maam Sa Mga Maam Sa Mga May Py Py Py Py Pangkangkangkangkangkatatatatat

Si Sam, Isang Kapwa UPian

Una naming nakapanayam si Sam. Isa rin siyang UPian at sa katunayan ay nakapagtapos ng BS

Economics. Nakulong siya dahil sa paglabag sa RA 6425 o ang Dangerous Drugs Act. Siya ay may

edad na 35-40, payat, matangkad at maputi. Halos dalawa’t kalahating taon na siya sa loob dahil tulad

ng karamihan ding nakapiit sa QCJ, nasa proseso pa lamang ng paglilitis ang kanyang kaso. May

dalawa siyang anak sa kanyang kinakasama ngunit di na niya nakikita ang kanyang anim na taong

panganay na anak. Gayon man, nakikita naman niya ang dalawang taon niyang anak na babae.

Kasapi siya ng isang bantog na fraternity sa UP noong dekada ‘70. Kilala rin ang frat na ito sa pagiging

sangkot sa mga rambol. Ipinagmamalaki ni Sam na ni minsan ay hindi pa sila natatalo, bagamat

masama ang impresyon ng karamihan dito.

Malawak na ang kaalaman ni Sam ukol sa mga kapatiran tulad ng frat kaya’t hind na siya nahirapang

intindihin ang mga gangs nang siya’y mapasok sa loob. Ayon sa kanya, maraming nanghimok sa kanya

mula sa iba’t ibang gangs na siya ay sumali sa kanila. Malamang dahil sa sanay na rin siya sa mga

grupong ganito dahil sa kanyang pagiging fratman at mulat na siya sa esensya ng kapatiran ay hindi na

kakaiba kung sumali man siya. Pinag-aralan niyang mabuti ang istruktura ng bawat pangkat, mula sa

mga patakaran, uri ng pamamalakd ng mga pinuno hanggang sa mga klase ng taong bumubuo ng

pangkat. Pagkatapos ng mahabang panahon ng pagninilay-nilay ay sumali siya sa BCJ. Sa kasalukuyan

ay bastonero siya ng BCJ sa ikaapat na brigada. Kusang loob at walang puwersa siyang sumali sa BCJ.

Hindi alam ng kanyang asawa ang pangyayaring ito. Nang malaman nga ay tumutol pa ito. “Sumali

ako dahil gusto ko!” Ito ang sabi ni Sam sa kanyang asawa. Hindi naman daw kasi maaari na ang

sabihin niyang rason ay dahil sa may pakinabang ang gang para sa kanya habang nasa loob siya ng

piitan. Hindi raw siya ganoon kababaw. Pinagmulan ito ng kanilang di-pagkakaintindihan ng kanyang

asawa at naging resulta nito ang di na pagdalaw ng huli.

Naging masaya ang aming kuwentuhan ni Sam. Sa katunayan nga ay hindi na kami nakapag-notes

habang nakikipag-usap kami sa kanya sapagkat mas ninais pa naming makinig na lamang sa kanyang

mga kuwento at mga opinyon ukol sa mga bagay-bagay. Marami siyang ibinahagi ukol sa buhay sa

loob, mga patakaran nila sa BCJ at mga kakaibang mga karanasan niya sa loob. Halos dalawang oras

din kaming nagkuwentuhan nina Sam. Isinulat na lamang namin ang kanyang mga sinabi pagkatapos

ng panayam.

Isang Hamon sa Aming Kakayahan sa Pakikipagpanayam: Si Nonoy

Pagakatapos ni Sam ay ipinakilala naman kami ni Kuya R kay Nonoy, isang BCJ rin na kasama nila

sa Selda 12. Si Nonoy ay tubong-Samar at 24 taong gulang na. Hindi ito kapansin-pansin sapagkat

49


mas mukha siyang matanda sa kanyang tunay na edad. Marahil ay bunga ito ng kanyang malawak na

karanasan sa buhay. Multiple Murder ang kanyang kaso. Apat na taon na siya sa QCJ ngunit nagtagal

din siya ng isang taon sa kulungan sa Samar. Dito niya nakilala ang isa ring nakapiit na kasapi sa BCJ.

Ito na ring taong ito ang nagtatak sa kanya upang maging kasapi na rin siya ng BCJ. Ang tatak ay

ipinalagay niya sa kanyang ulo kaya hindi ito kita. Kaya noong nailipat siya sa QCJ ay madali para sa

kanya na hindi muna ipaalam na siya’y kasapi na ng BCJ. Nang tanungin namin sa kanya ang kanyang

rason sa di muna pagpapakilala ay gusto raw niyang makasiguro na hindi niya pagsisisihan ang kanyang

pagsapi. Isang rason na hindi namin maintindihan sapagkat kasapi na nga siya rito. Sa katunayan ay

nabanggit nga rin niyang kung hindi niya magustuhan ang BCJ ay maaari pa siyang magpatatak sa

ibang pangkat. Gusto rin daw niyang ilagay muna sa lugar ang sarili niya sa pangkat bago siya tuluyang

sumapi. Nang natiyak na niya ang kanyang kalagayan sa pangkat ay ibinunyag na niya na siya nga’y

dati nang natatakan ng BCJ.

“Di ako takot mamatay ngunit banggitin mo lang ang kulungan ay takot na ako. Takot akong

makulong.” Ito ang mga katagang binitiwan ni Nonoy nang tanungin naming siya ukol sa pananaw

niya sa kulungan noong laya pa siya. Napakapusok raw niya noon na akala niya hindi na siya maaaring

magbago lalo na kung ikukulong siya. Ngunit nang maglaon ay nagbago rin ang kanyang pananaw.

Sabi niya, “Sana pala nagpakulong na ako. Sana nakalaya na ako. Di na sana umabot sa ganito.” Para

sa kanya ay may bukas pa siya. Plano niyang bumalik sa kanyang pamilya at magbagong-buhay na.

Hindi na raw siya gaanong mapusok ngayon at naniniwala siyang nakabuti sa kanya ang kulungan.

Si Ador, Isang Nagsisising Pangkatan

Oktubre ng taong 1998 nang pumasok sa QC Jail si Ador. Malaki ang kanyang pangangatawan,

maitim at may katangkaran. Sa kanyang pangangatawang ito ay napakalumanay siyang magsalita. Siya

ay may 24 taong gulang at taga-Tacloban, Leyte ngunit sa Tondo nakatira. Ayon sa kaniya, inakusahan

siya ng ‘murder’ ng pamilya ng isang taong tinulungan lamang niya. Hindi ito ang unang pagkakatong

nakulong siya. Inamin niya ang una niyang kaso at sinabi niyang nabaril lamang niya ang tao dahil sa

kagustuhang mailigtas din ang sarili (self-defense). Sa pagkakataong ito ay napagbintangan lamang

siya. Nag-aaral daw siya ng pagpapari bago siya muling nakulong.

Kusa ang pagsali niya sa Sputnik ngunit sa tingin niya ay napilitan din lamang siya. Nang sa presinto

pa lamang siya nakakulong ay may kasama siyang Sputnik din na labas masok sa kulungan. Ayon sa

kanya, marami rin siyang kapitbahay sa Tondo na miyembro ng Sputnik. Marami na rin siyang kakilala

kaya… “Basta nakulong ako, sumama na lang ako sa pangkat na ‘yan.” Naging padrino niya ang

kapitbahay niyang Sputnik. Nadala siya ng takot sa buhay sa loob kaya namangkat na lamang siya.

Ilang beses niyang inuulit-ulit na ayaw niyang may pangkat at pinagsisisihan na niya ito. “Pinagsisisihan

ko rin kung bakit ako nagpadala sa takot, di rin pala totoo na kapag nasa Querna ka…” Ang buhay

kasi sa Querna (isa sa mga distrito ng mga walang gang), ayon sa ibang kasapi ng mga pangkat at ayon

50


na rin sa mga tagaroon na di pangkatan, ay napakahirap. Walang dadamay sa iyo. Kumbaga ay

bahala-ka-sa-buhay-mo ang buhay doon. “Swerte-swerte lang dito sa loob.” Kaya naman ganoon na

lang ang takot niyang hindi pumangkat. Ganun na lamang ang kanyang pagsisisi na kung mabibigyan

siya ng pagkakataong makausap ang isang baguhan sa QCJ ay, “Hindi ko siya hihikayatin na papasok

sa ganon. Siya ang magdedesisyon.” Ayaw niyang siya ang sisihin kung sakaling hindi rin niya

magustuhan ang pagkakaroon ng pangkat.

Kasalukuyan siyang chief coordinator sa Sputnik. Siya ang namamahala sa kalinisan ng kanilang

distrito. Tulad ng ibang mga may pangkat ay namamalagi lang siya sa loob ng kanyang kubol. Gitarista

rin siya ng choir sa QCJ at tumutugtog kapag may misa tuwing Linggo. Kinukuha nga raw siya ng No

Bail Band bilang gitarista ngunit ayaw niya. Napakahusay nga niyang tumugtog. Sa katunayan, sa

pagtatapos ng aming pakikipanayam sa kanya ay tumugtog pa siya at kumanta para sa amin.

Si Rody at ang Walang Kamuwang-muwang Niyang Pagsali sa Gang

Si Rody, 30 taong gulang, ay pandak at maliit ang pangangatawan. Pinuntahan namin siya sa

bahay ng Commando pagkatapos naming makapanayam si Ador. Inihatid kami nina Kuya R at Chris

sa bahay ng Commando na nasa tapat lamang ng Querna. Sa may pasukan lamang kami nanatili at

doon kami nag-usap-usap. Iniwan na lamang kami nina Kuya R at Chris dahil bawal pumasok sa bahay

ang mga inmates na hindi kasapi sa grupo. Naroon ang mga kakosa niya at nasa labas kami kaya

maingay. Nahirapan kaming marinig ang mga sinasabi niya at nahirapan din siyang magkuwento

sapagkat naroon ang kanyang mga kakosa.

Unang pasok lamang ni Rody sa kulungan. Tatlong kaso ang isinampa sa kanya sa iisang insidente

lamang—murder, illegal possession of deadly weapon at trespassing. Isang taon at kalahati na siya sa

loob. Nang pumasok siya sa QCJ ay wala siyang kamalay-malay tungkol sa iba’t ibang pangkat sa

loob. Nagugulumihan at nangangamba siya dahil wala siyang kakilala nang siya ay pumasok. Bagong

salta pa siya sa Maynila kaya’t hindi niya talaga alam ang likaw ng sikmura ng mga tao dito. Nang

umakyat siya sa tower upang mag-report sa mga guwardiya ay bigla niyang nakita ang isa sa mga

kaibigan niya sa labas na nagtitinda ng sampaguita. Tuwang-tuwa siya dahil sa wakas ay may makakasama

na siya sa loob ng bilangguan na kakilala niya. Tuwang-tuwa din ang kanyang kaibigan nang siya ay

makita. Maatapos ang mahabang pagkakamustahan ay biglang itinuro at sabay sinabi na, “Ayun ang

bahay natin, o!” Tuwang-tuwa naman siya at may matutulugan na kaagad siya sa gabing ‘yon. Niyaya

nito ang kanyang kaibigan na bumaba na dahil gusto na niyang magpahinga. Dagli namang sinamahan

siya at binigyan ng mahihigaan. Nang gabing iyon ay bigla silang ipinatawag ng pinuno ng Commando

at nagbigay oryentasyon sa mga bagong pasok. Nabigla siya dahil ang kanyang napasukang bahay ay

bahay pala ng Commando. Hindi man lamang ito ipinaliwanang sa kanya ng kanyang kaibigan bago

sila pumasok. Dahil sa naging mainit naman ang pagtanggap sa kanya ng mga miyembro ng Com-

mando at sa wala na rin siyang mapupuntahan iba ay pumayag na siyang mapabilang dito. At isa pa,

nahihiya na itong hindi na sumapi sapagkat may utang na loob na siya sa grupo. Ayaw niya rin sanang

51


magpatatak subalit dahil kailangan iyon para maging ganap na miyembro ay nagpatatak na rin siya.

Ipinakita niya sa amin ang malaking tattoo sa kanyang likod. Doon siya nagpalagay upang hindi

kaagad makita ng sinuman. Nagsisisi man siya kanyang kinasapitan ay wala na siyang magawa dahil

nakatatak na siya at binigyan na rin siya ng katungkulan niya sa selda bilang bastonero.

Si Rody ay may asawa at limang anak. Hindi na siya dinadalaw ng mga ito. Sa limang anak niya

ay dalawa ang namatay dito habang nasa loob siya. Hindi man lamang siya sinasabihan ng kanyang

pamilya, sa ibang tao pa niya ito nalaman. Kitang-kita sa kanya ang pangungulila sa kanyang pamilya.

Sabi nga niya, “Mas mabuti pang sabihin na lang nila na hindi na sila dadalaw kasi mas mahirap ‘yong

ganitong umaasa ka.” Sa mahigit na isang taon niya sa loob ay araw-araw siyang umaasang may

dadalaw pa sa kanya. Tulad ng iba ring mga pangkatan ay doon lamang siya sa loob ng bahay ng

Commando at walang ginagawa. Kaya siguro sabik na sabik siyang makipagkuwentuhan sa amin.

Alam ng kanyang mga magulang nakasapi siya sa isang pangkat sa QCJ. Natural na nagalit sila

nang malaman iyon ngunit wala silang magagawa. Sa sobrang pagsisisi niya sa pagsali sa pangkat ay

hindi lamang daw niya iniisip na may pangkat nga siya. Ang linyang sinabi niya na talagang di namin

nakalimutan ay, “Pagpasok mo rito, lalambot ka. Susunod ka talaga.” Patungkol siguro ito sa kakaibang

sistema nila sa loob lalo na sa loob ng isang gang.

PPPPPakikipanaakikipanaakikipanaakikipanaakikipanayyyyyam Sa Mga Inmate Na Wam Sa Mga Inmate Na Wam Sa Mga Inmate Na Wam Sa Mga Inmate Na Wam Sa Mga Inmate Na Walang Palang Palang Palang Palang Pangkangkangkangkangkatatatatat

Si Bobby, Ang Artista

Si Bobby ay isang artista. Composer siya ng mga kanta ng ibang mga sikat na singer natin ngayon.

Naging guro siya sa isang tanyag na music school. May asawa siya at limang anak. May mga apo na rin

siya—tatlo. Subalit nagkaroon siya ng relasyon sa isang Haponesa at nagkaroon sila ng isang anak.

Dahil dito, kinasuhan siya ng kanyang asawa ng bigamy at siya’y nakulong sa Manila City Jail. Ikalawang

balik na niya sa kulungan dahil naman sa kasong illegal recruitment.

Dalawa’t kalahating taon na siya sa loob at ni minsan ay di man lamang sumagi sa kanyang isipan

ang pagsali sa anumang pangkat. Marami siyang rason kung bakit ayaw niyang sumali. Unang-una,

bilang isang artista, ayaw niyang malimitahan ang kanyang mundo sa loob. Sabi nga niya, “Artist ako.

Kailangan kong makita ang paligid ko.” Ikalawa ay may pagpapahalaga siya sa kanyang buhay kaya

takot siya sa mga riot. “Matapang kami sa paninindigan pero pagdating sa trobol, duwag kami dun…

Ang buhay natin ay iisa lamang. Bakit natin ipagsasapalaran?” Ikatlo, isinasaisip pa rin niya ang

kanyang kinabukasan at ang panahon ng kanyang muling paglaya. “Pumasok akong malinis, lalabas

akong malinis.” Ito ang ipinangako niya sa kanyang sarili. Ikaapat, hindi niya nakikita ang

pangangailangang sumali pa siya sa isang pangkat sapagkat ayon sa kanya, ang pangkat ay bagay sa

52


mga taong maraming kaaway. Siya naman daw ay “peace-loving.” Wala naman siyang kaaway kaya

hindi niya kailangan ito. Hindi niya kailangan ng proteksiyon.

Kasalukuyan siyang presidente ng Paper Dolls Society, isang organisasyon ng mga bakla sa QCJ.

Sila ang namamahala sa mga kasayahan sa loob tulad ng mga beauty contests at kung anu-ano pang

uri ng entertainment. Hindi lamang puro bakla ang miyembro pero halos 70% ng mga kasapi ay mula

sa ganitong kasarian. Si Bobby rin ang namamahala sa choir ng QCJ. Siya ang konduktor nito. Halos

lahat ng miyembro ng kanyang choir ay may mga pangkat ngunit hindi naman nagiging balakid ito

para sa kanila. Chairman siya ng Selda 7, ang seldang inilaan para sa mga bading. Siya rin ang

sekretarya ng kanilang brigada. Napakaaktibo niya sa loob sa kasalukuyan ngunit ayon na rin sa

kanya ay hindi siya ganito kaaktibo noong bago lamang siya sa loob. Kinukulit siya dati ni Kuya R na

mamuno sa choir dahil may talento naman ito ngunit ayaw niya. Nakonsensiya lamang siya nang

marinig na niya ang choir at terible talaga! Noon niya napagpasiyahan na tumulong na siya sa pagbubuo

ng choir at maging aktibo na sa loob.

Si Bobby ay interesado rin sa Astrology at mga panghuhula. Sa katunayan ay nang matapos ang

aming panayam sa kanya ay hinulaan pa niya kami. Halos maniwala na nga kami ngunit naalala namin

na illegal recruitment nga pala ang kaso niya. Sa kabila nito ay masaya ang aming pakikipag-usap sa

kanya. Napakabuhay at interesante niyang kausap.

Si Orly, Isang Political Prisoner

Si Orly ay isang political prisoner na inilipat sa QCJ mula sa Caloocan City Jail na kung saan ay

nanatili siya ng isang taon. Dalawang taon na siya ngayon sa QCJ. Isa siyang community organizer sa

kanilang lugar sa Tondo bago siya nakulong. Dapat nga raw ay sa Crame siya ngunit ginawang

kriminal ang kanyang kaso at inakusahan siya ng murder at illegal possession of firearms. Tubong

Nueva Ecija siya at may asawa’t isang anak. Dahil nga sa nakakaburyo ang buhay sa loob ay nagtayo

siya ng tindahan kasama ang isa pang political prisoner.

Marami nang nagtangkang i-recruit siya sa kani-kanilang pangkat ngunit ayaw talaga niyang sumali.

“Political prisoner ako. Iba naman ang ipinaglalaban ko sa kanila. Hindi ko kailangan iyan.” Ito ang

katwiran ni Orly. Idinagdag pa niya na hindi naman masamang tumanggi sa mga nagre-recruit basta

tama lamang ang iyong sagot. Maaari naman daw niyang maging kaibigan lahat sila nang hindi na

kailangan pang sumali sa anumang pangkat. Sa kabila nito, maigi ring may kaalaman ka sa mga

patakaran ng mga pangkat sa loob lalo na kung gusto mong itama ang mga pamamaraan ng ibang

pangkatan na lumalabag na pala sa kanilang mga batas. Sa pamamagitan nito, ayon kaya Orly, kaya

mo silang “isandal sa pader.” Kapansin-pansin ang paninindigan ni Orly. Malinaw sa kanya ang

kanyang mga ipinaglalaban.

53


Si Ate Virgie

Si Ate Virgie ay may 31 taong gulang na at dalawang taon ng nakakulong. RA 6425 ang kaso niya.

Siya ang kasalukuyang coordinator ng Female Auxiliary. May isang anak na siya subalit hiwalay sa

asawa. Broken family sila at ang nanay lang niya ang dumadalaw sa kanya.

Para sa kanya ay baduy ang pagiging miyembro ng pangkat. Ayaw na ayaw niya na magkaroon ng

tattoo dahil layunin niya talagang makalaya at makapagtrabaho sa ibang bansa. Tuwang-tuwa niyang

ibinalita sa akin na huling hearing na raw niya sa darating na linggo at sana’t makalaya na siyang

tuluyan. Tingin niya sa gang noong bago siya makulong ay parang fraternity o brotherhood. Sa

kanya, hindi na niya kailangang magkaroon ng pangkat dahil walang problema sa kanya ang pakikisama.

Sa katunayan ay naging opisyal pa siya ng buong brigada ng mga kababaihan. Mas naging pabor ang

pagkakaroon ng posisyon dahil nakakapag-utos siya at iginagalang ng mga kapwa niya babaeng in-

mate. Hindi rin siya sumasabay na kumain sa kanyang mga ka-rancho at may tagakuha na lamang siya

ng kanyang pagkain. Wala naman daw pinag-iba ang mga babaeng may tatak sa mga babaeng walang

tatak dahil iisa lang ang kanilang bahay. Kapag nag-riot daw ay ikinukulong din naman silang mga

babae at hindi hinahayaang lumabas.

Masaya niyang ikinuwento sa akin ang paraan ng pagliligawan sa loob. Kapag dinadalhan ng

lalaking inmate ang isang babaeng inmate ng pagkain ay nanliligaw na ito sa kanya. Marami ang

nanligaw sa kanya subalit mas nagugustuhan niya ngayon ang isang empleyado ng BJMP. Mabuti ngang

nanligaw ito sa kanya dahil medyo umiiwas-iwas na ang mga inmates na nanliligaw sa kanya. Bilang

isang coordinator ay marami daw siyang tungkulin. Kahit disoras ng gabi bastat kailangang maasikaso

niya ang isang trabaho ay kailangan niyang magising. Siya rin ang namamahala ng mga gawain kung

may palatuntunan sa loob ng jail.

Para sa kanya ay isang napakalaking bangungot itong kanyang pagkakakulong. Hindi niya maisip

ang anumang magagandang bagay na naranasan niya sa loob na maibabahagi niya sa labas. Gustong-

gusto na niyang lumabas. Nasasabik na rin siya sa dalaw kaya tinanong niya ako kung kailan ako

babalik. Hindi ako nangako subalit sisikapin kong dalawin siya sakaling ako’y bumalik. Sinabi ko na

sana sa aming muling pagkikita ay sa bahay niya na ko siya bibisitahin. Tuwang-tuwa niyang ibinigay sa

akin ang kanyang address at telephone number. Isang masayang pamamaalam ang nagtapos sa aming

pag-uusap.

P P P P Pag-aanalisa sa mga kuwag-aanalisa sa mga kuwag-aanalisa sa mga kuwag-aanalisa sa mga kuwag-aanalisa sa mga kuwento ng aking mga nakento ng aking mga nakento ng aking mga nakento ng aking mga nakento ng aking mga nakapanaapanaapanaapanaapanayyyyyamamamamam

Ang karaniwang paniniwalang ikinakabit sa salitang “gang” o “pangkat” ay ito ay binubuo ng mga

lalaki lamang. Matapang, malakas, basag-ulero ang mga lalaking ito. Ito’y napatunayan naming

walang katotohanan sapagkat maliban sa mga babae’t bakla na pawang mga kasapi ng mga pangkat ay

may mga kasapi ding taliwas sa mga ugaling nabanggit. Gayunpaman, sa kabila ng pagkakaroon ng

54


mga pangkat ng mga babae’t bakla bilang miyembro ay may diskriminasyon pa rin. Nananatiling

patriarchal ang sistema ng pamamalakad ng mga pangkat. Makikita ito sa mga riot dahil walang

partisipasyon ang mga babae at hindi rin obligado ang mga bata na makisali sa gulo. Wala ring

pinanghahawakang mataas na posisyon ang mga babae’t bakla sa mga pangkat. Mayroon ding paniniwala

na ang mga pumapangkat ay mula sa uring mahirap at mga walang pinag-aralan. Walang katotohanan

ang mga ito sapagkat mayroon ding mga sumapi na may kaya sa buhay at mga nakapagtapos pa ng

pag-aaral. Ngunit marami pa rin sa kanila ang hindi nakakaintindi ng kanilang pinasukan. Marami o

halos lahat ng aming mga nakapanayam ay hindi alam ang layunin ng kanilang samahan. Hindi man

lamang nila alam kung paano nagsimula ang kanilang grupo. Nagpapakita ito na pansariling interes

nga ang naghahari sa desisyong sumapi sa pangkat.

Halos pare-pareho ng motibasyon ang mga pumapangkat. Una, proteksiyon at pansariling

seguridad ang nangungunang rason sa kanilang pagsapi. Nakita nila ang kapasidad ng kulungan na

maaaring magpadali sa kanilang buhay. Kung sa labas ay maaari silang naghaharian, sa loob ay nababahag

ang kanilang buntot. Kung halang ang kanilang kaluluwa ay mas marami pa ang halang na kaluluwa sa

loob. Sa madaling salita, ang takot nila na mapatay ang nagbunsod sa kanila upang maghanap ng

proteksiyon. Pangalawa ay dahilang pinansiyal. Karaniwan sa aming mga nakapanayam ay hindi na

dinadalaw ng kanilang mga kamag-anak kaya wala na rin silang pera. Dahil limitado ang kanilang

rasyon at wala silang seguridad sa kalagayan ng kanilang kalusugan sa loob, kailangan nila ng

masasandalan upang hindi maging problema ang mga ito. Kahit na ibigay pa nila ang kanilang buong

pagkatao ay gagawin nila upang mabuhay lamang sa loob. Panghuli, para magkaroon ng pangalawang

pamilya. Pangungulila ang matinding kalaban ng mga inmates. Karaniwan sa aming mga nakapanayam

ay may problema sa pamilya at hindi nadadalaw. Ang pagkakaroon ng pangkat ay isang paraan upang

maibsan ang pangungulilang nararamdaman. Dito ay mayroon silang makakausap at palaging

nakakasama. Proteksiyon, pera, at tulong emosyonal ang nakikita nilang bentahe sa pagkakaroon ng

pangkat.

Maliban sa mga nabanggit na nakita rin namin ang ilan pang maaaring rason ng kanilang pagsapi.

Sa loob ng kulungan ay malaki ang pribilehiyo ng mga nanunungkulan sa mga pangkat. Nariyan ang

pagkakaroon ng malaki at komportableng tulugan, mga alalay at mga taong sumusunod sa lahat ng

utos at pagkakaroon ng status symbol. Malaking kaginhawahan para sa isang inmate ang manungkulan

lalo na kapag walang dalaw at walang pera. Dito pumapasok ang tinatawag ni WWWWWeber eber eber eber eber na three P’s:

power, prestige at privilege. Ang pagsapi sa isang gang ay isang paraan upang makamit ang mga ito.

Pansariling interes ang umiiral dito.

Sa isa namang banda, ang pangkat din ay may pamamaraan na kung saan ginagamit nito ang mga

miyembro upang makamit ang isang hangarin. Ipinaliwanag sa amin ang mga tunay na dahilan ng mga

riot sa loob ng QC Jail. Ayon nga kay Sam, ang riot daw ay parang “larong bata” lamang ngunit kung

tutuusin ay may mas malalim pa itong politikal na dahilan na minsan ay pinapalabas lamang na alitan

o ukol sa isang babae o anumang iba pang mababaw na rason. Unang dahilan ay ang “estafahan.” Ito

55


ang terminong ginagamit sa mga di binabayaran o di nabayarang utang sa mga biniling droga mula sa

isang pangkat. Kapag ito’y hindi na madaan sa usapan ng mga pinuno ay nagra-riot na lamang sila na

pinapalabas nilang nagsimula sa isang simpleng alitan lamang ng dalawang miyembro. Isang napakalaking

kontrobersiya ang pagpapasok at pagbebenta ng droga sa loob kaya kailangan nilang pagtakpan ito.

Ang pangalawang dahilan ay upang makakuha ng atensiyon. Halimbawang hindi nila gusto ang

Warden dahil hindi nila makasundo o masyadong mahigpit, ay nagra-riot upang makuha ang atensiyon

ng media. Lalabas ngayon na hindi kaya ng Warden na kontrolin ang mga inmate kaya patatalsikin

siya. Pinag-aaway ang kanilang walang kamalay-malay na miyembro para sa interes ng pangkat.

Maliban sa limitasyon ng kanilang galaw at espasyo sa loob ay nagkakaroon din ng instant na mga

kaaway ang sinumang sumapi sa pangkat. Kahit hindi mo away kung sangkot ang iyong pangkat sa

riot ay kailangang naroroon ka rin. “All for one, one for all,” ika nga ng isa sa aming mga nakapanayam.

Pare-pareho lang naman ng mga patakaran sa loob ng kulungan ngunit nagkakaiba lamang ang mga

pangkat sa pagpapatupad sa mga patakarang ito, ayon kay Sam. Isa ring kapansin-pansin sa mga

miyembro ng pangkat ang bulag nilang pagsunod sa anumang utos at patakaran ng kanilang mga

pinuno. Dala na rin marahil ng takot na sumaway dahil sa kakaiba na pinaiiral na batas sa loob. Ang

bawat pagkakasala, maliit man o malaki, ay may katumbas na pisikal na sakit sa anyo ng mga parusa.

Grabe ang mga parusang ipinapataw sa sinumang nagkasala tulad na lang ng “takal”, “basag”,

“pumping”, “sabit” at kung anu-ano pa. Sabi nga ni Rody, “Kung nasa loob ka, susunod ka talaga.”

Kung ganoon nga naman ang mga parusa ay kahit sino ay susunod nga. Paggalang sa empleyado, mga

dalaw at kapwa inmate ay mahalaga sa kanila pati na rin sa paglugar sa sarili. Sa tingin namin, sa likod

nitong mga “pagpapahalaga” na sinasabi nilang ito ay ang malubhang pagkatakot sa parusang maaaring

matanggap kung sila ay sumasaway. Sumusunod sila dahil takot silang maparusahan.

Ang “tatak” o “tattoo” ay pangkaraniwang simbolo o pagkilala sa mga pangkat. Ayon kay

KKKKKalaalaalaalaalawwwww, ito ay nangangahulugang opisyal ng miyembro ang indibidwal. Sa aming palagay, isa pa itong di

bentahe ng pagkakaroon ng isang pangkat. Napakaruming tingnan ng pagkakaroon ng tatak. Isa pa,

napakanegatibo ng konotasyon ng pagkakaroon ng tatak. Nakakawala ng kredibilidad lalo na sa mga

awtoridad. Ito’y parang nagsasabing pag-aari ka na ng pangkat dahil dala-dala mo ang kanilang

simbolo. Kumbaga, para kang isang baka na tinatakan upang masabi na isa ka na sa mga pag-aari. Oo

nga’t nakakatulong ang pagpapangkat sa pananatili ng katahimikan at kaayusan sa kulungan ngunit

napakalaki naman ng kapalit na hinihingi nito sa mga indibidwal at pati na rin sa management.

Nagkakaroon ito ng kapangyarihang magdikta at magmanipula.

Ang Mga WAng Mga WAng Mga WAng Mga WAng Mga Walang Boses: Mga Di-Palang Boses: Mga Di-Palang Boses: Mga Di-Palang Boses: Mga Di-Palang Boses: Mga Di-Pangkangkangkangkangkatanatanatanatanatan

Sa kabila ng pagiging maimpluwensiya ng mga pangkat sa loob ay nananatiling may mga bilanggo

pa rin na piniling hindi pumangkat. May kani-kaniya silang rason at mga paninindigan. Kapansin-

pansin sa kanila ang pagiging kritikal at maprinsipyo. Makikita sa kanila ang pagpapahalaga sa

56


kinabukasan at ang buhay ng isang laya. Sila ang mga taong may pakikisama. Siya ay iyong mga

walang kaaway at nakakasundo naman ang ibang inmates—may pangkat man o wala. Isang disente at

malinis na pamumuhay ang gusto nilang panatilihin, nasa loob man sila ng piitan sa kasalukuyan.

Tulad na lamang ng sinabi ni Bobby, “Pumasok ako ng malinis, lalabas akong malinis.” Makikita rin

ang kanilang pagpapahalaga sa anumang kaunting kalayaang mayroon sila. Limitado na nga ang

kanilang galaw sa loob ng kulungan ay mas malilimitahan pa kung sasapi sila sa isang gang. Kalayaan

ang mas binibigyan ng kahulugan at hindi ang proteksiyong hindi naman nila kailangan. Maaaring

sabihing wala silang mga pribilehiyong tulad ng mga nasa pangkat ngunit sila nama’y may pribilehiyong

mamuhay nang walang restriksiyon sa isang institusyong napakalimitado na nga ng buhay.

Lizza Olivia MaLizza Olivia MaLizza Olivia MaLizza Olivia MaLizza Olivia May Apolinar at Maricel Capapasy Apolinar at Maricel Capapasy Apolinar at Maricel Capapasy Apolinar at Maricel Capapasy Apolinar at Maricel Capapas

57


Rancho… atbpang salitang loobRancho… atbpang salitang loobRancho… atbpang salitang loobRancho… atbpang salitang loobRancho… atbpang salitang loob

Higit pa sa isang daang taon ang

m a k a p a g p a p a t u n a y

ng kahalagahan ng ating wika. Naging

kasangkapan ng ating pagkilala at

pagkakakilanlan sa ating lipunan. Kasabay

ng kalinangan nito ay kalinangan din ng

kultura. Hindi maipagkakaila na

sinasalamin nito ang kayamanan ng ating

kultura at maging ang mga pagbabagong

nararanasan ng mga taong nagmamay-ari

nito.

Upang pagtibayin at liwanagin ang

larawan ng kulturang Pilipino, mahalagang

siyasatin at pag-aralan ang ugnayan ng

kultura at wika. Ang patuloy na pagkilala

at paggalugad ng kaalaman tungkol sa ating

kultura ay maglilingkod bilang batayan sa

pag-aaral sa ugnayan ng kultura at wika sa

loob ng Quezon City Jail. Ang wikang

tinutukoy sa pag-aaral na ito ay ang mga

salita at mga pariralang kadalasan sa loob

lamang ng bilangguan. Jail lingo ang tawag

dito.

Ayon kay Zeus Salazar, ang kultura

ay ang kabuuan ng isip, , , , , damdamin, gawi,

kaalaman, at karanasan na nagtatakda ng

maaangking kakayahan ng isang kalipunan

ng tao (1973). Bilang isang pamayanan, ang

kultura sa Quezon City Jail ay may

malaking papel sa pagsilang ng sarili nitong

wika o ang jail lingo na tinutukoy sa pag-

aaral na ito. Sa simula ay di pa gaanong

marami ang mga salitang kabilang sa jail

lingo. Noong una ay sinasabing gumamit

ang mga inmates ng mga di-berbal na wika

58

Mga Katawagan sa mga Nanunungkulan

Mayor, Bise Mayor, Bastunero, Chief Bastunero-

nanunungkalan sa Seldang Querna o walang

pangkat

Gobernador, Bise-Gobernador, Chief Trustee,

Kulturero,Inspektor, Trustee- nanunungkulan sa

brigadang Querna o walang pangkat

Mayores, Bise-Mayores, Chief Bastunero, Chief

Jury, Jury, Bantay Prito, Bantay, Buyon, Coordi-

nator- nanunungkulan sa brigadang may

pangkat

Mga Bansag sa Kilalang Personalidad

Adviser- tagapayo

Aning- taong wala sa tamang pag-iisip; malabo

ang desisyon; dulot ng shabu, may takot athinala kahit kanino

Asintado- guwardiya

Bagito- bago pa lamang sa bilangguan

Bagong commit- taong kararating sa bilangguan

mula sa presinto

Bantay-bayan-- pulis

Barandilla girls- babaeng inmates na mahilig

tumambay sa barandilla

Bosyo- taong matagal na sa bilangguan at dati

nang nanunungkulan; di kasama sa paggawa

Buyunero- tagalinis ng buyon o palikuran

Empleyado- empleyado ng BJMP

Jokard- babaeng nagtitinda ng panandaliang

aliw o may kasong bagansya

Kitchen boys- lalaking inmates na naghahanda

ng pagkain sa kusina


tulad ng mga senyales at iba pang galaw ng katawan. Sa kalaunan,

napansin na ng mga empleyado ng bilangguan ang ganitong sistema at

pinagbawalan nila ang mga inmates lalo na at di nauunawaan ng mga

empleyado. Dahil dito, nagsimulang pagyamanin ng mga inmates ang

berbal na wika. Sa ngayon, maging ang mga empleyado ay gumagamit

at nakakaunawa na rin nito. Sa pagyabong ng jail lingo sa QC Jail, hindi

matiyak kung paano at kailan umusbong ang mga ito.

Bagamat wala pang tiyak at pormal na nakapagtala at nakapagsulat

kung kailan at paano sumulpot ang jail lingo sa QC Jail, mayroong ilang

paliwanag na nakalap si Raymund Narag tungkol sa pagkakabuo ng

mga salita. Isang halimbawa nito ay ang salitang “jokard”. Ayon sa

kanya, kung tatanggalin ang letrang “r” sa nasabing salita, “jokad” ang

kalalabasan nito. Kung bibigkasin ito nang mabilis at paulit-ulit, kapansin-

pansin ang paglabas ng salitang “kadyot” na may konotasyong sekswal.

Dahil dito, nabigyan ng kahulugan ang salitang “jokard” bilang isang

babaeng puta o kalapating mababa ang lipad. Sa ganitong paraan

nagsimulang gamitin ang salitang ito upang tukuyin ang mga babaeng

inmates na “nagbebenta ng panandaliang aliw sa halagang isang daang

piso at kung minsan ay hindi na nagpapabayad” lalo na kung

nagkakamabutihan na ang lalaking inmate at ang jokard. (Evangelista

at Prudencio, 2000). Ang pagkabuo ng salitang “jokard” ay nag-ugat

marahil sa lumalaganap na pagbebenta ng panandaliang aliw ng ilang

babaeng inmates sa kulungan.

Ang mga salitang nabuo sa loob ng bilangguan ay maaaring

nagsimula sa karaniwang gamit sa laya subalit mayroon ng ibang

pakahulugan sa loob (Narag, 2000). Sapagkat iba-iba ang kinagisnang

kapaligiran at karanasan ng mga inmates, ang wikang ginamit nila noon

sa labas ng bilangguan ay nabibigyan nila ng bagong kahulugan. Dahil

sa bago nilang kalagayan sa pagkakapiit, ang ilang salita ay nabuo upang

gamitin nila bilang pansariling paraan ng komunikasyon. Mahalaga para

sa kanila ang jail lingo sapagkat ito ay nagsisilbing proteksyon sa mga

puwersang nakapalibot sa kanila. Maaaring maihambing sa mga bakla

ang sitwasyon. Ayon kay Pastor, sa panahong ang mga bakla ay naging

tampulan ng pang-uuyam ng media nagkaroon ng pangangailangan na

magbukod para sa proteksyon na nagbigay daan sa pagkakaroon ng

gay lingo. Hindi maikakailang nagbigay daan sa pagbubuklod ng mga

inmates ang pagkakabuo ng jail lingo.

59


Maraming salik ang nakakaapekto sa kultura at wika sa

loob ng bilangguan. Karamihan sa mga ito ay masasalamin

sa katangiang dinamiko ng jail lingo. Sapagkat patuloy na

nag-iiba ang kapaligiran, nagkakaroon ng pag-unlad sa

teknolohiya, pagpasok ng mga inmates na kabilang sa bagong

henerasyon, at iba pang mga kaugnay na pagbabago —

nadaragdagan at nababawasan ang mga salitang ginagamit

sa loob ng bilangguan. Dala na rin marahil ang mga

pagbabagong ito ng mga bagong karanasan na nagbibigay

daan sa pagbuo ng mga bagong salita at mga parirala. Isang

halimbawa nito ay ang pagdagsa ng ilang inmates mula sa

ibang bilangguan tulad ng Munti. Sa kanilang paninirahan sa

QC Jail ay nakapagpapakilala sila ng mga bagong salita na

nakuha nila sa kanilang dating kinapipiitan. Maikukumpara

ang mga ito sa mga hiram na salita buhat sa ibang wika na

tinatanggap at inaangking sarili. Sumasangayon ang ganitong

pag-angkin sa teyorya ni Whatmough, isang antropolohista,

na ang kultura ay nagtatakda ng wika. Ayon pa sa kanya,

ang mga bagong karanasang kultural ay masasalamin sa wika

(Dalisay, 2000)

Sa pagsusuri ng jail lingo sa QCJ, matutuklasan na ang

karamihan sa mga salita at parirala na nabuo sa loob ng

bilangguan ay tumutukoy sa mga bagay o pangyayari na may

direktang kaugnayan sa pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay ng

mga inmates. Karamihan sa grupo ng mga salitang ito na

ipinakita sa naunang bahagi ng papel ay may kinalaman sa

pagkakaroon ng proteksyon sa kapwa inmates, custodial

force at maging sa pisikal na kapaligiran. Mapapansin na

maraming uri ng mga inmates na nanunungkulan ay

nakakatulong at malaki ang nagagawa sa pagpapanatili ng

kapayapaan at kaayusan sa loob. Sa pamamagitan ng pag-

aaral ng jail lingo sa QC Jail, malalamang bilang isang

pamayanan ay di-maiiwasang magkaroon ng pulitika dito.

Upang magkaroon ng kaayusan sa lipunan, sinisikap ng mga

empleyado at mga inmates na maisaayos ang kani-kanilang

pansarili at pangkalahatang interes. Kapansin-pansin ito sa

pagkakaroon ng iba’t ibang katawagan sa mga

nanunungkulan. lpinapakita rin sa mga salitang ito ang antas

60Kuya- respeto sa nakababatang inmate na may

katungkulan

Lost boys- inmates na walang dalaw

Magulang- ‘tayman’ na may katungkulan

Mahinorya- bantay sa gabi; tanging

nanunungkulan sa gabi

Nana- respeto sa empleyadong babae

Nanay-respeto sa babaeng inmate na may edad

na

PAO PAO; PAOaminin; AmPAO- abugadongnagpapabaya sa inmate

Praning- taong padalus-dalos sa paggawa ng

desisyon

Surot at ipis- mga pasok na nagpapahirap sa mga

inmates

Tata- respeto sa mga empleyadong lalaki

Tatay- respeto sa mga lalaking inmates na may

edad na

Tayman- taong galing na sa Munti at nakapagsilbi

na ng kanyang sentensya

VIP-Very Important Preso; inmate na kadalasang

may dalaw

Mga Katawagan sa Ilang Lugar sa Loob

Barandilla- lugar kung saan madalas tumambay

ang ilang babaeng inmates

Buyon- palikuran

Kubol- maliit na kuwarto na may tarima (kuwarto

ng mga inmates na may kaya sa buhay)

Pasilyo- maluwang na lugar kung saan maaaringtanggapin ang mga dalaw

Tarima- kamang tinutulugan


61ng kapangyarihan ng mga nanunungkulan. Marami rin silang

ginagamit na mga parirala na nagpapahiwatig ng pagkilala sa

mga may kapangyarihan tulad ng “matuto kang makiraan.”

Maliban sa mga may kapangyarihan, kapansin-pansin din ang

pagtatalaga ng kakaibang pangalan sa mga tao upang

pagtibayin ang natatanging pagkakakilanlan sa loob ng

bilangguan tulad ng buyunero, bagito, tayman at bosyo.

Buhay din sa loob ng QC Jai ang ilang magagandang

katangian ng mga Pilipino at ang mga ito ay nakasalamin sa

kanilang jail lingo. Matatandaang ang mga inmates ay may

tiyak na katawagan sa mga nanunungkulan at sa mga may

edad nilang kasama tulad ng tata, nana, kuya, at iba pa na

nagpapahiwatig ng pagiging magalang. Kapansin- pansin din

na ang mga katawagang ito ay likas sa wikang Filipino. Isa

pang magandang katangian ay ang pagkakaisa at pagsisikap

na maging malinis ng mga ito sa katawan at sa kapaligiran.

(Tingnan ang listahan ng mga salita at pariralang may

kinalaman sa pagkakaisa at kalinsan.)

Hindi lamang ang ilang positibong katangian ng mga

Pilipino ang nakasalamin sa jail lingo kundi maging ang ilang

negatibong katangian. Isa ay ang pagiging talamak sa paghingi

ng pabor kapalit ng isang bagay. Mayroon ding mga salita na

nagpapakita ng direktang paglabag sa mga alituntunin sa

bilangguan. Marahil bunga na rin ito ng pagiging talamak ng

mga di kanais-nais na mga katangiang taglay ng mga inmates.

Kabilang sa mga salitang ito ang busabos at ugaling laya na

nangangahulugan na hindi pagsunod sa patakaran at kawalan

ng pakialam sa kapakanan ng kapwa inmates. Isa pang

kapansin-pansin ay ang mga salita na may kinalaman sa

pagkakaroon ng gulo o away. Ang mga salitang ito ay

matagumpay na nakapagtatago ng tunay na kahulugan na

nagiging paraan upang makaiwas sa kaakibat na parusa na

maaaring ipataw sakaling matukiasan ng custodial force.

(Tingnan ang listahan ng mga salita at pariralang may

kinalaman sa away.)

Iba’t Ibang Katangian ng mga Inmates

Ayon sa Batas sa Loob

Balatuba- hindi masinop sa gamit, panga-ngatuwiran

at pananalita

Busabos- hindi sumusunod sa patakaran;hindi paalam ang mga batas sa kulungan

Patakaran- mga batas na dapat sundin sa bilangguan

na nakatala sa papel at dapat sundin

Ugaling Laya- walang pakialam sa iba; sariling interes

lang ang pinoprotektahan; hindi marunong

makiraan

Mga Salitang May Kinalaman sa Pagkain

Kachokaran- kapalagayang-loob; kadikit; kaibigan sa

pagkain

Karancho- kadikit; kaibigan; kasama sa pagkain

Palakad- pagkain o anumang gamit na ipinamimigay

para sa lahat

Pujanga pagkain na nahihingi

Rancho- pagkain

Responde- pagkaing ibinibigay kapalit ng isang pabor

Mga Salitang May Kinalaman sa Away

Aminin- papatayin

Balila- pamalo; kahoy na pangdisiplina

Baryo-Baryo- Paggrupo-grupo; pagkahati-hati

Bundol- iniintriga; pinag-aaway-away

I--record- Isama sa papatayin

Mabutasan- naghahanap ng butas ng pagkakamali

na maaaring gamitin laban sa kaaway

Nasalisihan- nadamay sa gulo; naloko

Padala- panggulo

Takal- pamalo


62

Mga Salitang May Kinalaman

sa Paghingi ng Pabor

Buraot- sobra nang paghingi; wala na sa ayos

Fifty-fifty- hating-kapatid; paghingi na maluwag sa

puso

Hirit- paghingi ng may katungkulan sa wala

Matic- dagliang bayad sa hinihinging pabor

Piyansahan- tulungan na huwag maparusahan

Saluhin- tulungan; proteksiyunan

Sandalan- pinagkakapitan

Takpan- itago ang pagkakamali

Mga Salitang May Kinalaman sa Pagkakaisa

at Kalinisan

Buhos- sabay-sabay na pagkilos

Dos Tres- sabay-sabay na paglilinis

Limpiyesa- paglilinis ng selda o brigada

Mga Pariralang May Kinalaman sa Pagkilala

sa mga May Kapangyarihan

Matuto kang makiraan- kumunsulta sa dapat na tao

Alamin kung may nababanggang pader- dapat malaman

ang iba’t ibang puwersa sa loob ng bilangguan

Ang takot sa Diyos ang simula ng karunungan- dapatmagkaroon ng takot sa mayor ng gang upang

mapunta sa tamang lugar

Kung ano ang tugtog, iyon ang sayaw- sumunod sa agos;

huwag sumalungat

Apat na sulok ng kulungan- huwag maging tibak,

maaari kang balikan

Mga Pariralang May Kaugnayan sa Pag-iingat

at Pag-iwas sa Gulo

Magbasa kahit walang letra- magmasid kung may

nagbabadyang kaguluhan

Mag-aral kang bukas ang iyong mga mata- maging

alisto

Mainit ang plaza- may gulo

Basahin ang mga pangyayari- magmasid

Iwasan nating sumikip ang ating daraanan- iwasang

magkaroon ng kaaway

Mga Pariralang May Kinalaman

sa Pagkakaisa ng mga Gang

Iwasan ang pagbabar yo-bar yo- iwasan angpagkakahati-hati sa loob ng pangkat

Ang sakit ng kalingkingan ay sakit ng buong katawan-

ang sakit ng isang miyembro ay sakit ng buong

pangkat

Mga Pariralang May Kinalaman

sa Pagdadala ng Sarili

Huwag kang tira pasok/wala sa hulog- huwag

magsalita na hindi alam ang istorya

Ilagay ang sarili sa tamang lugar- kumilos nang tama

Laro lang/Huwag magpa-dribol- sa pulitika, maglaro

lang, huwag magpasakay, huwag magpakita ng

kulay

Dapat mayroon kang taingang tulad sa lobo-

madaling malaman ang mga pangyayari

Huwag kang maging kasapi ng huwad na kapatiran-

iwasang mapabilang sa false brotherhood

Huwag kang magtuturo (pinpoint); Nakakulong ka

na magtuturo ka pa- maging tahimik ka lang,huwag manuro ng iba baka lalo ka pang

mapahamak


63KKKKKonklusyonklusyonklusyonklusyonklusyononononon

Sa kabuuan, natuklasan namin ang ilang mga bagay na nag-uugnay sa kulturang Pilipino at sa

pamayanan ng QC Jail. Ang pagtingin sa jail lingo ay mahalaga sa pagkakabuo ng konklusyong ito sa

kadahilanang nagsisilbing gabay ito sa pagtuklas ng nakapailalim na kultura na umiiral sa pamayanan

na maaaring sabihing kultura na tinataglay ng mga Pilipino. Mapapansing mayroong pagbabanggaan

sa pagitan ng kultura ng mga inmates at mga alituntuning ipinapatupad sa kanila. Ang pagbabanggaang

ito ay makikita rin sa kontekstong nasyonal sa pamamagitan ng pagsusuri sa kultura ng mga Pilipino

at mga batas sa Pilipinas. . . . . Kadalasan mas naaayon pa sa kulturang kanluranin kaysa sa kulturang

katutubo ang mga batas. Dahil dito ay nagkakaroon ng kontradiksyon sa lipunan. Ito ay naipapakita sa

pag-aatubili na sumunod sa isang batas na di angkop sa nakagawiang mga gawain. Sa pamamagitan ng

matamang obserbasyon ay natuklasan din namin na sa mga pagbabanggaang ito, mas malaki ang

impluwensya ng kultura kaysa sa pagsunod sa mga batas at alituntunin. Katunayan, sa pagkakataong

hindi na maiwasan ang banggaan maraming batas at alituntunin ang nalalabag. Isang halimbawa nito

ang mga alituntunin sa QC Jail na di angkop sa nakagawian na ng mga inmates. Ang mga alituntunin

tulad ng pagbabawal ng pagsusulat o pagdidibuho sa pader, sahig, at mga gamit sa loob ng bilangguan

at ang pakikibahagi sa anumang gang o pangkat na ang layunin ay ihiwalay ang sarili sa iba ay talaga

namang di angkop sa kultura sa QC Jail. Sa lugar na ito kung saan ang pagiging kabilang sa pangkat ay

isa ng pangangailangan o di kaya’y di maiiwasan at bawat pangkat ay di-maiiwasang maglagay ng

simbolo sa kanilang mga lugar na lumalabag naman sa pagsusulat sa mga pader. Sa kontradiksyong

ito, hindi na kataka-taka na tanggapin ng lahat ang kasalukuyang sistema at mawalan na ng saysay ang

ilang alituntunin. Isa pang bunga ng banggaang ito ang pagbibigay ng patagong kahulugan sa mga

bagay o pangyayari na maaaring magdulot ng kapahamakan sapagkat ipinagbabawal din ng

administrayon.

Sa pamamagitan din ng pagsusuri sa kultura ng pamayanan sa QC Jail sa tulong ng jail lingo,

maipapakita ang mga positibo at negatibong pag-uugali ng mga Pilipino. Kabilang sa mga positibong

pag-uugali ay ang paggalang sa mga nakatatanda at may kapangyarihan, pagkakaisa at pagsisikap na

mapanatiling malinis ang sarili at kapaligiran, pagpapahalaga sa organisasyon, at pag-iingat sa sarili.

Kabilang naman sa mga negatibong pag-uugali ay ang talamak na paghingi ng pabor maging sa pagkain,

direktang paglabag sa ilang mga alituntunin, at madalas na pagkakaroon ng away o gulo.

Joseph Boma, TJoseph Boma, TJoseph Boma, TJoseph Boma, TJoseph Boma, Trina Ching, Marie Bernadette Jandusarina Ching, Marie Bernadette Jandusarina Ching, Marie Bernadette Jandusarina Ching, Marie Bernadette Jandusarina Ching, Marie Bernadette Jandusayyyyy,,,,,

MyrMyrMyrMyrMyrel Eden Julio, Ael Eden Julio, Ael Eden Julio, Ael Eden Julio, Ael Eden Julio, Agnes Villaseñor gnes Villaseñor gnes Villaseñor gnes Villaseñor gnes Villaseñor at Raat Raat Raat Raat Raymund Narymund Narymund Narymund Narymund Naragagagagag


It is indeed very interesting to note why people behave the way they do. This researcher’s

assumption is that we often try to understand a person’s ways in the context of the person’s

milieu. The community or social setting in which a group of people belongs plays a significant part in

honing or dictating how the members of that social group should behave. Yet, when the existing

environment cannot possibly serve as the basis of the members’ behaviors, we refer to their deeply

imbued values system in explaining such manners.

This research student considers the inmates of Quezon City Jail as one social organization that

has its own social environment. The jail structure creates a unique kind of social setting which

propels its populace to behave the way the do. However, this researcher has observed that despite

the existing milieu, the inmates of Quezon City Jail still manifest ways that could only take root in

their being Filipinos. The research is an attempt to present possible explanations as to why the QC

Jail inmates behave the way they do considering the jail conditions. Being a jail project coordinator

for about three years now has allowed this student to note the remarkable ways of the inmates even

in their given setting. Specifically, this paper aims to highlight the Filipino values that survive even

inside the Quezon City Jail.

To achieve these objectives, the initial part of the paper is an effort to situate the readers in the

Quezon City Jail by depicting its physical and socio-political environment. Subsequently, this

researcher will probe into the popular Filipino values that thrive inside the jail considering the repres-

sive conditions of its detainees.

The Quezon City Jail: A Situationer

At a glance, the Quezon City Jail would appear like a very small community of ordinary people.

It is composed of a series of connected buildings located at the ground and upper level of the

complex. These buildings are divided into very large and very small rooms (also known as

“districts”), which are further subdivided into miniature cells. Other notable facilities in the jail

include the plaza at the ground level, also referred to as the multi-purpose quadrangle or the basket-

ball court (where sports and all other major activities are held), the chapel at the upper level of the

complex (where religious and paralegal among other seminars are conducted), the rancho at the

upper level (where jail food is prepared), the livelihood corner at the upper level (where various

handicrafts and metal crafts are produced, and which also houses the official parlor of the inmates—

“The QC Jail Salon”), the visiting area at the upper level (where “common” inmates get to interact

with their visitors and which transforms into lovers’ lane in the evening), and the expanding sari-sari

stores also at the upper level (where almost all kinds of goods are sold). At one corner of the plaza

is the headquarters for the Kapit-Bisig 2000, Inc., the official organization of all organized and non-

Filipino vFilipino vFilipino vFilipino vFilipino values that thrivalues that thrivalues that thrivalues that thrivalues that thrive at the QC Jaile at the QC Jaile at the QC Jaile at the QC Jaile at the QC Jail64


organized inmates at the Quezon City Jail. Attached to all these facili-

ties is the office of the jail management. At the jail entrance, jail

visitors are received by a group of jail guards (also known as the “gaters”

since they are the people at the jail gate), who will then refer the

visitors to the search inspectors. The search involves both baggage

and body search.

Contrary to the usual concept of a prisoner behind rusty iron

bars, a detainee until convicted of a crime is free to move about the

surroundings at the QC Jail. This condition, however, may not apply

to some gang affiliated inmates. Most detainees, contradictory to what

most non-inmates perceive them to be, are very polite and respectful

in their dealings with one another, most especially with the visitors,

whether their personal guests or the others’. To avoid misunderstand-

ing with their fellow detainees, they rule that no inmate should glance

at or have direct eye contact with other inmates’ visitors. Although it

is true that most of them have tattoos due to their gang affiliation, the

inmates still look very much like ordinary people. They still wear

ordinary clothes and move about the normal way. The yellow shirt

has a significant meaning to the inmates. When one gets to wear this

color, it means that the inmate has a most-awaited hearing to attend.

As of July 2001, inmates awaiting trial at the Quezon City Jail total

1,868. An average of 100-120 inmates add to this total every week,

while a fortunate hundred are released during the same week. Other

than the 179 female inmates, the rest consists of male and a few gay

inmates. The jail is divided into seven districts. Each district is com-

posed of five to seven cells with each cell housing an approximate

number of 50 to 70 inmates. An average cell measures an approxi-

mate twelve by four meters.

One of the seven districts is being occupied by the female inmates,

while the others are assigned to the male and gay inmates in the jail.

Each district has a name that either reflects the gender or the gang

affiliation of the inmates staying inside the cells. Hence, they have the

Women’s Auxiliary Brigade housing the female inmates, the three dis-

tricts named after the Batang City Jail Gang serving as the shelter and

fortress of its 452 members, the Sigue-Sigue Sputnik Gang District

housing an estimate of 360 inmate members, the Sigue-Sigue Gang

Commando District protecting around 125 inmate members, and lastly

65


the district for non-gang members called the Cuerna comprising of more than 542 male inmates.

The Cuerna is further divided into Annex, Brgy. Obrero and Brgy. Roxas.

Also housed in these facilities are non-inmates totaling to more than a hundred, who are either

the wives or husbands of the inmates accompanied by their children. This practice adds to the

congestion problem in the jail. According to the inmates, these non-inmates serve as their

“purchaser” of various necessities outside the jail. About 30 of the non-inmates are children as young

as newborn to as old as 14 years. During riots, these children suffer the same fate as the gang

members when jail guards spray tear gas in the cells. Some more rational inmate parents, on the one

hand, send their children home upon sensing an about-to-erupt riot. However, one may anticipate

their immediate return to the jail after the riot. When asked why they let their children grow up in

a jail environment, they would merely reason that no one else outside the jail would take charge of

their children. This is the common situation for couples that were both admitted to the jail. The

others, however, just could not survive the jail conditions without their wives and children.

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) provisions do not allow “stay-ins” at the

Quezon City Jail, yet certain “arrangements” with the Jail Warden make such privileges permissible.

Since riots are also sometimes caused by the inmates’ boredom and refusal of such requests, the

Warden usually finds it easier and more peaceable to simply give in to their wishes. This negotiated

practice, however, gives way to more graft and corruption opportunities in the jail. Other than the

regular non-inmates who have decided to live with their accused wives, husbands or parents in the

jail, visitors of some VIP inmates are also allowed to stay overnight at the QC Jail, provided the inmate

pays a certain fee to particular jail guards and inmate officials.

A “common” inmate (meaning an inmate without any position, gang affiliation or monetary

means) has the bare cemented floor to sleep on every night or even during daytime. This type of

inmate shares this condition with majority of the male inmates in the jail. In most cases, more than a

hundred inmates share a very small room with beds available only for half of the total inmates.

At mealtime, the inmates get rations from the “rancho.” Rancho may refer to the jail food, the food

ration grouping or the jail kitchen. The inmates have to cook their own meals out of the available

sahog provided by the jail management. Hence, they have to allot a space in their small room to cook

their meals. Having to cook their meals inside their cells, the inmates have to tolerate the smoke as

well as the smell of the fish being prepared.

Being the minority in the jail, the female inmates have a much better condition than the males.

Nevertheless, a common female inmate have to sleep on the floor, too. A male VIP or Very Impor-

tant Preso, on the one hand, may construct his own “kubol” inside the cell. It is a very small room

measuring about two and one fourth by one and a half meters. He may have a bed, an exhaust fan,

an electric fan, a television set matched with a video player, a cassette player, and other amenities.

There are many VIPs at the QC Jail, but they represent the smallest portion in the jail. Some VIPs,

66


particularly among the female inmates, may not have their own kubol but they at least have their

own “tarima” or a double-deck bed walled with curtains to give them some privacy. During meal-

time, the VIPs do not have any preparations to do since they can just ask a common inmate to do the

cooking for them. This inmate is referred to as the “trustee.” Most VIPs have their respective

trustees to do the cooking, laundry and even kubol cleaning for them. In exchange for such services,

the trustee is paid about a hundred pesos a week, fed and rationed with cigarettes.

The People and Their Government

To get a partial understanding of the jail culture, it is important to give special attention to the

social strata of the people inside the jail. However, this cannot be explored without having to discuss

its political system. Jail culture does not totally equate with gang culture. Nevertheless, the latter’s

way of thinking and doing things inside the jail highly affects the total way of living at the Quezon City

Jail. It is understandable that numerous studies have been devoted to the gang culture since it plays

the dominant role in the lives of inmates. But how exactly does a gang operate? How did it acquire

its governing power in the jail? Why do the detainees see their affiliation to particular gangs as

protection? Why should they be feared? According to F. Landa Jocano (Slum As A Way Of Life,

1975), to understand gang leadership is to understand that such is anchored on the status, not on the

role of the individual.

One way of answering such inquiries would be to refer to a more familiar structure in the

University — the fraternity. During an interview with a UP student while he was awaiting trial at the

QC Jail due to his involvement in a frat case, a comparison and contrast between gangs and fraterni-

ties were brought forth into this student’s cognition. A gang and a frat are similar in the aspect of

hierarchical structure but differ in the use of terminologies when referring to their heads and

members. While a gang is solely based on brotherhood, a fraternity has other academic and social

goals to pursue upon affiliation. To be a gang member, one must simply acquire a certain design of

tattoo as form of initiation. To be a frat member, however, one must undergo a long and difficult

process of having to prove his worthiness through the most commonly known hazing and other sorts

of public humiliating activities. Democracy is being practiced during elections and assemblies of

fraternities. A lowly gang member, on the one hand, should simply keep his opinions to himself to be

spared of gang punishments or vindications. Other than mere eye contacts and allegations, women

generally cause “riots” in the case of gangs, and “rumbles” in the case of fraternities. Yet, according

to another UP frat man in the jail, gang riots have deeper causes which may involve the political

structure of the jail and the gang itself. In comparison, he added that frat rumbles are simply caused

by “misplaced pride” or petty intrigahan. Every detainee can sense when a riot is about to occur—

no inmate would dare loiter in the plaza and instead the “sundalos” or the army of each gang are the

ones visible in the area. These sundalos are equipped with riot armaments such as knives and other

pointed utensils. An about-to-explode frat rumble, on the other hand, is hard to detect. It simply

happens. Hence, a frat member must always be armed with a lead pipe, a tear gas and a cutter to

67


protect himself during rumbles. The gangs in their effort to prevent a riot directly punish the sole

offender upon being informed of his offense. This is a major “no-no” among the fraternities as it

involves humiliating a “frat brod.” In settling rumbles, fighting fraternities are usually convened by

the University’s Student Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT). But to avoid this, some fraternities would

simply settle the rumble peacefully among themselves. To stop a riot, the Kapit-Bisig (the umbrella

organization at the QC Jail) usually conducts the mediation between the quarrelling gangs. If the riot

still persists, then the Warden will undertake such responsibility.

These are just some of the similarities and differences between a gang in a jail and a fraternity in

a University. Nonetheless, the heads of both structures are highly respected as well as feared by their

subordinates. The heads followed by the other officials are the symbols of power in both organiza-

tions. But how does the head of the frat or in the case of the inmates, the head of a gang as well as

the other jail officials acquire their status in the jail? How can a detainee become the Commando of

a gang or the Mini-City Mayor of the city jail? A QC Jail inmate disclosed that gang members of the

Sigue Sigue Commando and Sigue Sigue Sputnik have the right to choose their head through

elections. The head of the Batang City Jail Gang, on the one hand, is selected by its Council of Elders.

In the case of a fraternity, a Lord Chancellor is chosen through elections.

Being affiliated with any gang is considered a source of protection and security for some lowly

detainees. The collective power as well as the monetary resources of gangs can be very enticing

particularly to newly committed inmates. The seemingly very orderly way of governing also leads to

gang affiliation. In comparison with the Annex (a non-gang district), the BCJ, Sputnik and Com-

mando districts appear to offer better facilities. While the Annex is filled with filthy air and is

overcrowded with inmates, the gang districts are relatively better ventilated and well kept by the

members. This condition can be traced back to the procedure that all newly committed inmates are

placed in the Annex. Thus, to enjoy more comfort in the gang districts, one must first undergo

affiliation. This is the common reason for such affiliation for most gang members. However, once a

detainee becomes a member of a particular gang, gang rules will limit his freedom to do anything he

wants including his privilege to move about the QC Jail complex. These rights along with the other

fringe benefits of being an inmate are taken away from a gang member. In return, some detainees

shared they still feel much safer in the hands of their Commandos.

To further illustrate this gang scenario, when entering the Batang City Jail District for an official

business (or any other gang district for that matter), you must first see the “Bastunero” or the guard

of the district. Apart from the assigned jail guard, all gang districts have their official guards. The

Bastunero usually has the authority to let you in or not. If you pass through him, you have to see the

other officials especially their highest authority—the Commander (often referred to as the “Com-

mando”). For the male gang districts, the Commando is acknowledged to be the most powerful

inmate. He is assisted by other district officials. The cell of each district is headed by a “Mayores”

who functions as the “Commando” in every cell. He is also joined by other cell officials who also

68


enjoy certain privileges due to their positions. For non-gang districts such as the Brgy. Obrero and

Brgy. Roxas, the inmates only have the “Mayores” to govern them. The Annex, having the biggest

number of members in the non-gang district, is headed by a “Gobernador” and a “Bise- Gobernador.”

There are no gang affiliations among the female detainees. Yet their relationships with particular

gang members also influence their status in the jail. The female district is headed by a “Gobernadora,”

who functions as the overall leader of the female district. Under her is a “Kulturera,” who serves as

the guard (or “bastunera”) for the whole district, “Coordinator,” who oversees all the activities of

the female district, “Assistant Coordinator,” who serves with the coordinator, “Mayora,” who is

referred to as the “nanay” of every cell, and the “Bastunera” or the guard of a particular cell. Other

than the Mayora and Bastunera, there are also recognized officials for every cell. Nonetheless, they

have minimal authority in comparison with the whole district officials. In visiting a “positionless”

female inmate, one must not fail to acknowledge the powerful heads both of the whole district and

of the particular cell of the inmate.

All districts have a “Buyonero” (for male) or “Buyonera” (for female), which refers to the

detainee who is officially tasked to clean and guard the cells’ respective comfort rooms. Apart from

these officials, other supporting officers govern at the QC Jail.

The Kapit-Bisig 2000, Inc., the umbrella organization of all the gangs and non-gang detainees in

the jail, may appear to have more power than the gangs, but an inmate would know better than this.

The Kapit-Bisig is headed by a “Mini-City Mayor.” The Mini-City Mayor is elected while the rest of the

officials may either be mandated or appointed. Even the Commandos of every gang recognize the

Mini-City Mayor’s authority. He convenes the weekly assembly of all the gang leaders and other

district leaders. But, it is the Batang City Jail Commando, the head of the largest-affiliated gang at the

QC Jail, who is known to be the most powerful of them all. During such regular gatherings, the

inmate officials tackle various issues which may range from riot problems to water and electricity

concerns. The Warden is present during such occasions but it is the Mini-City Mayor and Vice-Mayor

who discuss all the detainees’ miseries. It is commendable to note that when the inmates present

their problems, they also come up with their own resolutions. They do not depend much on the

Warden. The inmates have the funds to support their own projects. Major sources of the inmates’

funds are the regular collection of P2.00 per week among gang members (also known as the

“palakpak”) and the P5.00 dalaw fee among all inmates. Another alleged primary source is the

illegal distribution of drugs inside and outside the Quezon City Jail. These resources, for the re-

searcher, could be the reasons why the Warden respects the positions of such inmates.

The Warden together with the other jail employees may have the official authority in the jail, but

upon knowing the jail’s political system, one will realize that the underlying power of gang officials

and Kapit-Bisig officers complement the jail officials’ legitimate authority at the QC Jail. This proce-

dure is recognized by the lowest-ranking detainee to the highest-ranking jail official—the Warden.

69


It is a rule among inmates to respect the jail guards. However, not all jail guards enjoy this recogni-

tion. Only those with strong authority get to be respected by the inmates.

The Economy

The QC Jail is becoming a very lucrative place for various business ventures these days as

reflected by the newest market to hit the jail— the “QC Jail Salon.” There are about three sari-sari

stores cum carinderia beside the chapel and visiting area. These are situated at the second floor

complex of the jail. The business-minded inmates simply started with selling cigarettes and candies,

but the diverse needs of the fast-growing market encouraged them to venture into all sorts of

businesses. The used-to-be small stalls for sari-sari stores have been extended into kitchenettes.

Depending on their position in the jail structure, some inmate owners have expanded their reach by

setting up their respective tables and chairs all over the vicinity. When asked how they acquired

their stalls, they disclosed that the jail management permitted them. The same people also allowed

the use of kitchen utensils such as knives and forks for such a business. (This researcher was in-

formed that some jail officials benefit from such business through allocation of free meals or agree-

ment for delayed payment.) In the case of some inmates with cosmetology skills, they can earn

their keep by offering haircuts for the price of P20, hair dye, cellophane and hot oil at P20 (as long

as the hair color and other hair cosmetics are provided by the customer), and manicure/pedicure

also at P20. These services are offered at relatively low costs only at the QC Jail Salon. Some

inmates, who cannot afford to put up their own business and are not cosmetologically-skilled, labor

under the heads of the livelihood division of the jail. It is in this department that handicrafts and

metal crafts are produced.

Other than these money-making schemes in the jail, an ordinary inmate without financial sup-

port from their families and friends may still earn a living in the jail by becoming a “trustee” or a

personal domestic helper of an inmate. Since there are also babies born at the QC Jail, some

inmates are employed by the mother inmates as a “yaya” of a “baby city jail.” An inmate may also

serve as the “runner” of some jail employees and inmates who wish to profit in the jail. Some jail

employees sell liquor among the inmates. The runner has the task of selling for the jail employees

who conduct such illegal transaction. In return, the runner gets a percentage from the total profit.

Liquor is sold at extremely high prices in the jail. Still, this does not serve as a deterrent for the

inmates who welcome and support such illegal market. A runner is also employed by some inmates

who sell their personal belongings in order to pay their acquired debts in the jail. Sunday plays a

significant role in the jail business for it is the day allotted for the collection of various payments.

The Spirit

About 90% of the inmates are Catholic. Hence, they try to prevent non-Catholic groups from

organizing religious activities inside the jail. These activities usually involve regular celebration of

70


masses, Bible studies and the like. When non-Catholic organizations insist on their activities, the

inmate officials permit them provided they promise not to baptize the inmates in the process of

renewing them. Some UP students who are presently held at the QC Jail shared that during their

first few months in the place, they tried to console themselves by philosophizing and rationalizing

the fate that befell them. A few more months followed by years in the jail, however, made them

more spiritual in seeing things. They disclosed that they started to have a stronger faith in God.

Hence, it can be observed that most inmates have images of Jesus Christ or Mother Mary pasted on

their walls, if not tattooed on their bodies. The chapel situated in the center at the upper level of the

jail complex, also plays a significant part in the lives of the inmates. It is in this chapel that newly

committed inmates are formally oriented about jail life. Yet, it is interesting to note that the orien-

tation focuses not so much on the jail rules and regulations, but more on topics such as “Self-

Discovery of Personal Values, Social Values, Moral Values, Cultural Values and Spiritual Values.”

The Mind

Some of the inmates have attained college education while most have only been privileged to

finish secondary school. Still, there are others who do not even know how to write or read their

own names. To respond to this condition, a functional literacy-numeracy program was organized by

the inmates for the inmates. Apart from some Pahinungód volunteers who taught in the jail for

some period, majority of the teachers were inmates with high educational background and were

willing to serve their fellow inmates in their own way. The program aimed to equip the inmates with

knowledge and skills they consider necessary not only in the jail, but more so in life after jail.

Unfortunately, the program is often set aside because the room originally constructed for the

program had to be converted into cells in order to accommodate the increasing number of inmates

at the QC Jail. An assessment of the program also concluded that most inmates have very little

interest in attending the functional literacy-numeracy classes because to them, education is useless in

their present condition. By browsing over the provided program materials by the DECS, this

researcher discovered that the given curriculum was not really “functional” for inmates. This find-

ing can be assumed as a primary cause of the inmates’ minimal if not lack of interest in the program.

Just recently, a non-governmental organization started their own functional literacy program at the

QC Jail using more functional educational modules. An inmate who is a graduate of UP Diliman

heads this program.

Filipino VFilipino VFilipino VFilipino VFilipino Values that thrivalues that thrivalues that thrivalues that thrivalues that thrive at the QC Jaile at the QC Jaile at the QC Jaile at the QC Jaile at the QC Jail

Having illustrated the physical and socio-political environment at the Quezon City Jail, this part

of the paper will now feature the notable Filipino ways that the detainees practice despite their

current condition which, for some of them, could be considered entirely different from the environ-

ment from which they came.

71


Filipino Hospitality

Once a visitor enters the Quezon City Jail, Filipino hospitality begins not at the gate entrance

manned by jail guards, but at the respective cells of the inmates. This Filipino way of welcoming and

accommodating non-detainees is very much practiced at the Quezon City Jail. Therefore, if the

visitor stays until lunch, the inmates will gladly sacrifice their rationed meals for lunchtime along with

their appropriated meal for the evening just to be able to offer the visitor a decent meal. And

despite their sleeping conditions, other inmates will not mind if some inmates’ visitors stay the night

in their very limited space. If the inmate is financially capable, he or she will be charged a certain fee

for such privilege. But if not, then some more capable inmates, knowing how important a visit is to

a detainee, would simply shoulder such payment. The concern or “bahala” aspect of the moral

imperative “dangal” is clearly being manifested through this practice. During visiting hours, it is a

rule among all inmates that none of them should take a bath during such period. The reason behind

this is for the comfort rooms to be available once the guests would need to use one. But when

special visitors ask for the use of a comfort room, the inmates will readily offer the best comfort

room at the Quezon City Jail— the one located at the Batang City Jail District. This show of proper

decorum suggests that even in the jail, Filipino inmates still have some “delicadeza” to take pride in.

Although, this example may be a very simple case, this student considers that such practice could be

credited to the propriety norm of the “damdamin” element of “asal.”

“Pakikipagkapwa”

Despite the jail environment, most inmates find it quite easy to adjust to each other. It has

been noted that even the newly-committed inmates can get along with the old ones with ease.

According to them, this is due to the fact that Filipinos are very flexible when it comes to being with

people, no matter how different they are. The “pakikitungo” norm of the relational imperative

“kapwa” reigns even among the detainees. Furthermore, almost all inmates thirst for sincere

people to listen to their angst, while some simply need someone to talk with. Thus, the pakikisama,

pakikitungo and pakikiramay principles, all of which are supportive norms of the “kapwa” element

of “asal”, are deeply valued in the jail. In sickness, free medicine from the other detainees can be

expected since it is so hard to acquire medicine from the jail’s clinic. The inmates also hold sharing

sessions among themselves where they try to unburden their problems to one another in the

process. When a particular inmate is sentenced to death penalty, for example, the others will

readily offer the convicted inmate some comfort by being there or simply listening, among other

ways. When a detainee is transferred to Muntinlupa upon being convicted by the court, the

inmates particularly the gang members appropriate a certain amount of their common funds as the

“pabaon” or allowance. In fact, this researcher learned that the main purpose of their regular

collection of P2.00 a week is for such circumstances. This practice could also be attributed to the

“dangal” element of “asal” particularly to its supportive norm “bahala,” or to the “damdamin”

factor, specifically to its supportive norm “awa.”

72


In the case of gangs, damay or concern over the difficulties or misfortunes of another is not

only a source of internal cohesion among gang affiliates but may also be a starting point for mem-

bership. Utang na loob or debt of gratitude is deemed as one of the most important sources of

group cohesion. It is also sometimes the basis of recruitment or reason for joining the gang.

Pakikisama, also a norm underlying group cohesion among gangs, is used by older members of the

group to test the new recruit and is also extended to newcomers in the neighborhood. (Jocano,

1976) Although Jocano referred to street-corner gangs in citing this observation, this student noted

that the same practice is even more observed inside a city jail, specifically at the QC Jail. It could be

assumed that gangs inside the city jail are even more cohesive that those outside the confines of a

jail. This is probably due to the fact that being forcibly confined in a small community leaves them

no choice but to stick closer to each member.

“Bayanihan,” also a manifestation of the “kapwa” concept, is commonly practiced at the QC

Jail. Natural calamities such as flood, and man-made disasters such as overflowing of septic tanks

and garbage area, do not spare the city jail. During such gruesome times, all the detainees do their

share in cleaning up their community after the incident.

Close Family Ties

Never mind the stinking garbage that welcomes all the jail visitors. Never mind all the discom-

forts inside the inmates’ airless and dump cells. Even with these physical inconveniences, the family

members of some detainees frequent the Quezon City Jail if only to bring their loved ones some

momentary comfort and happiness. This, however, leads to some husbands or wives also staying

inside the QC Jail, if only to be with their spouses.

“Bahala Na”

The commendable Filipino resiliency survives even under jail conditions. One will be amazed

to see more happy faces than the opposite when visiting the QC Jail. This can be attributed to the

Filipinos’ “bahala na” or fatalistic way of looking at things. This also reflects the Filipino’s great faith

in the Almighty amidst the discouraging system in the jail, as well the hopeless judicial system in the

country. Thus, if you ask a male detainee whose wife has just left him due to his newfound condi-

tion what he will do about it, the ever-familiar bahala na is all you are going to get for an answer.

“Masayahin”

Even with their fateful destinies, the detainees at the QC Jail never run out of stories to tell or

jokes to crack. Except in extreme cases, the visitor rarely catches a brooding inmate sitting in the

corner of the jail fortress.

73


Filipino Festivities

Since Filipinos are fun-loving people, celebrations are very prominent and frequent even at the

QC Jail. The inmates celebrate their feast every last week of October in time with the National

Correctional Consciousness and Prison Awareness Week by holding week-long jovial activities. But,

other than this occasion, the inmates incessantly organize similar festivities deemed as their way of

alleviating loneliness and boredom in their place. Hence, they have “palaro” every now and then,

regular beauty pageants among the female and gay inmates (that sometimes they have the Ms.

January, Ms. February and the rest of the months’ beauty titlists), discos, and other similar affairs.

At Christmastime, they also hold their “Simbang Gabi” which are held during late afternoons so as

not to give detainees an opportunity to escape. They also honor “Semana Santa” practices during

the Lenten season by fasting and holding Pabasa and Senakulo.

The Filipinos’ Love for Music

The QC Jail inmates have a singing culture. Just like most Filipinos who console themselves by

singing, some detainees have their guitars and other musical instruments to turn to during their

lonely moments. As a result, the popular “No Bail Band” was formed at the QC Jail. The fame

gained by the band and its members, however, led to the emergence of more witnesses against

some of the players and the filing of new complaints versus the other band members. Recently, the

videoke craze has also reached the Quezon City Jail. For P5.00 a song, the detainees can gladly sing

their blues away.

“Kung ano ang tugtog, ‘yon ang sayaw”

Apart from singing, the Filipinos also dance their sorrows away through the “Kung ano ang

tugtog, ‘yon ang sayaw” principle. This pervasive Filipino practice also influences the way of life in

the jail. Common inmates easily give in to the whims of the powerful inmates to avoid further

conflicts. Although this somehow serves as a survival mechanism for most detainees, it often works

to the disadvantage of the many. Most inmates remain passive despite the abuse of power of some

jail employees and their fellow inmates. It appears that the detainees utilize this as their mechanism

to co-exist with each other or “pakikitungo” as well as to avoid unnecessary tensions. Thus, instead

of doing something about the wicked system, they simply conform to it. Instead of advocating

change in the management, they develop ways to cope with it. Matiisin at masunurin ang mga

ordinaryong inmates. This masunurin quality of the inmates could also be considered as their way

of paying due respect to the people in power—“paggalang.” An attribute which also supplements

such characteristics is the Filipinos’ “shy” quality. Being shy is a predominant feature of the inmates.

This by-product of more than three and a half centuries of colonial oppression facilitates the per-

petuation of further abuses in the jail.

74


ConclusionConclusionConclusionConclusionConclusion

The jail culture is significantly dominated by the gang culture. Apart from some abusive jail

guards and jail employees, gangs represent the centers of power in a jail. And since the gang leaders

have the must-acquire power to rule, these illegitimate holders of authority overrule the way of

thinking and behaving inside the jail. It can be observed that when in jail, everything moves in the

name of power. Majority of the inmates are powerless and thus are mere followers of the system.

Nevertheless, it is worth noting that despite the oppressive nature of the power structure in the jail

along with the inhumane conditions that most detainees have to endure, the inmates of the Quezon

City Jail maintain their Filipino values and manifest ways that are deeply embedded in the conscious-

ness of every Filipino.

Thus, even with the illustrated oppressive jail situations, Filipino ways that are commonly prac-

ticed in a normal environment can still be observed at the QC Jail because of the inmates’ inherent

Filipino values. Further analysis of the cited Filipino values that thrive at the QC Jail would lead to a

realization that most of these Filipino values and ways are rooted in the “kapwa, ” “damdamin,” and

“dangal” elements of “asal.” Nonetheless, it is the “kapwa” element that dominates most of the

depicted values. It seems that this relational imperative performs the most vital role among all the

elements of “asal” in a jail environment. In a social organization of people commonly perceived as

perpetuators of crimes, this notable phenomenon of “pakikipagkapwa” among them merits some

kind of commendation. Most people who consider all detainees in a jail as convicted criminals would

almost certainly be amazed by this observation. Such realization would probably make them recon-

sider their common perception towards people awaiting trial in city jails. The supporting norms of

“dangal” such as “bahala,” “galang” and “utang na loob” are also very prominent among the

detainees. The same thing goes for the emotional imperative “damdamin,” specifically its supportive

norms “delicadeza” and “awa.”

Ma. Abigail MerMa. Abigail MerMa. Abigail MerMa. Abigail MerMa. Abigail Mercadocadocadocadocado

75


76


Mga Kuwento Sa Logbook at PanulaanOf skies, jails, moon and freedom

Si Panyang

Si Gorio

Feelings

An expected visit

Hiram na buhay

Logged notes

77


78

A sky with a moon is a jail with freedom

Without a moon, only darkness exists:

stars can fall

Without freedom, need not exist:

kill ‘em all

Without moon, sky is left

with forlorn stars

Without freedom, jail shrouded

with wailing souls.

The sky is an endless jail

that gives everyone their freedom

The jail is an endless sky that gives everyone their moon

The moon is treasured by souls who believe in nature

The freedom is believed by souls

who treasure life.

Of skies, jails, moon and frOf skies, jails, moon and frOf skies, jails, moon and frOf skies, jails, moon and frOf skies, jails, moon and freedomeedomeedomeedomeedom



79

Si Panyang paboritong bakasyunan

Ang kulungan

Tingin sa kanya ng mga preso

‘Sang turistang nagbalikbayan.

Kaibigan niya ang Warden

Suki ‘tong maaasahan

Kasi kapag nasa laya si Panyang

Sustendado ang kanyang kabalbalan.

Pag nasa loob, tuloy ang negosyo

Tulak roon, kabig riyan, lako rito

Naturingang prinsesa ng puting-bato

Pinaliligaya mga buryong na preso.

Mga mayores ay walang problema

Sagot ang pondo ng pangkat nila

Mga empleyado ay tuwang-tuwa

May balukol sa kanilang bulsa.

Mga pulis na humuli sa kanya

Sa korte ay di na nagpakita

Isa-isa niyang inareglo

Lahat napipi at naglaho.

Si PSi PSi PSi PSi Panananananyyyyyangangangangang


80

Ang mabagsik na piskalya’y nang-iinis

Alam na adik, anim na buwang pinanis

Subalit sa kakulangan ng ebidensiya

Dinismis ng Hukom ang kasong pikit-mata.

Si Panyang ay suwerte’t at lalaya na naman

Bukas-palad ang pagtanggap ng lipunan

Naghihintay sina Mayor at Congressman

Dating kakompetensiya ngayo’y kaibigan.

Si Panyang prinsesa, anak ng kulungan

Dumalaw sa paboritong bakasyunan

Pasalubong sa preso’y bitaminang pampagising

Sa warden ay bagong source na di nangbibitin.

Si Panyang tinitingala ng mga preso

Adik, sugarol, magnanakaw, mamamatay-tao

Sa kanilang paglaya siya’y hahanapin

Sa panibagong-buhay, kay Panyang sila paaalipin.



81

Si Gorio nagbebenta ng yosi

Nakaupo, tahimik, naghihintay ng suki

Minsa’y pagod, nakakaidlip, gigisingin muli

Tulog ay sira, sa sampisong halaga ng inutang na yosi.

Buong magdamag, kakarampot na tubo

Ngingiti, magpapasalamat, may pambili ng rekado

Para di maanemya sa kanyang pagkahapo

Sa sulok ng selda ang kaluluwa niya’y magtatago.

Buong araw tulog, sa magdamag gising

Pilit pinapatay oras na dumarating

Hinagpis at hinanakit ay kanyang kapiling

Alaala ng pamilya, sa isip ay sumasaling.

Si Gorio larawan ng balisang kaluluwa

Pilit hinahanap ang kalayaang nawala

Minsan nadaan sa kalyeng pasugalan

Nireyd ng pulis: sabi kasama siya sa saklaan.

Iwas-gulo, simple at tahimik naman

Sila ang mga taong nabubulok sa kulungan

Mangmang at walang-kaya, biktima ng lipunan

Ito ang kuwento ng ating bayan.

Si Gorio nagbebenta ng yosi ay tuluyan nang lumaya

Kapiling ang mga diyos, santo at diwata

Sa sariling mundo, walang rehas at bakal na mapakla

Lahat ay nakangiti basta’t may yosi sa bunganga.

Si GorioSi GorioSi GorioSi GorioSi Gorio


82

When I visit them

when I see them

when I talk with them

realize what has

become of them

maze of emotions

invades this being

still the feeling

of deep sadness

never fails

to top them all.

I saw this woman

in the jail

looking happy

talking freely

but when she sang

those foolish songs

I felt injustice

ever pervasive

for she’s insane

shouldn’t be there.

How I wish

they would all

be set free

so they may live

a better way

given…

another chance.

Hope

has become

simply what it is—

hope.

FFFFFeelingseelingseelingseelingseelings

GailGailGailGailGail


83

Sleek rays of sunlight peek

and sneak thru bars;

they sat in the paper

and stretch’d

to my pen, waiting

for the ink.

“Why do you try to sleep?”

At the doorway,

a man standing alone

impedes

the entrance;

a penumbra

of immortal fixation.

While the orange dot

which he inhales

crawls to its pantheon.

The pectinate skeleton

of the gate opens

for visitors to come

on Sundays, when convicts

take the reluctant poses

under the trees

An eAn eAn eAn eAn expected visitxpected visitxpected visitxpected visitxpected visit


84

to hide

from the punitive sun.

The faraway figure

of a woman with a child

is piercing the path

which leads to us,

whose eyes roll to corners

of hope, to search

for a familiar smile.

A huddle of prisoners

Bursts into sinful laughter

At the guy who sulked

And squats on grass.

I scribble down:

“Why don’t you try to sleep?

JefJefJefJefJeffrfrfrfrfreeeeey Ry Ry Ry Ry Rodenodenodenodenoden


85

Sa lupa nagmula

Doon din magwawakas ang bawat nilikha

Di alam ang bukas

Sa mata ng Diyos tulad nati’y burak

Doon ka niya nilikha

Doon ka rin babagsak

Nung ika’y likhain

Ano ang alam mo

Kundi ang umiyak paglitaw sa mundo

Binigyan ng isip buong pagkatao

Upang siyang lumikha ng landas sa mundo

(K(K(K(K(Korororororo I)o I)o I)o I)o I)

Panay panglalamang at pang-aabuso

Magtaksil, magnakaw, pumatay ng tao

Anumang dahilan ba’t nangyari ito

Hindi ang Maylikha ang nag-utos nito

Sa libro ng Diyos ang lahat ng tao

Pagdating ng araw hahatulan tayo

Iwaksi sa isip itong kasabihan

“Buhay ay inutang

Siya ring kabayaran”

Kung sa iyo nangyari

HirHirHirHirHiram na buhaam na buhaam na buhaam na buhaam na buhay y y y y (Awit)


86

Sana’y huwag damdamin

Huwag sisihin ang Diyos

Sa iyong kasalanan

Ang lahat ng sala

Tao ang may gawa

Ang lahat ng mali

Sa atin isisi

Tayong nagkasala

Tayo ang marupok

Nadala sa tuksong

Diyablo ang nag-utos

(K(K(K(K(Korororororo II)o II)o II)o II)o II)

Alin ba ang dapat dito’y masunod

Batas bang tao o batas ng Diyos?

Oo’t nagkamali, nagkasalang lubos

Sapat bang bawiin ang buhay na handog

Buhay na taglay mo sa Diyos mo hiniram

Ang pagbawi nito’y di n’yo karapatan

Hintayin n’yong Siya ang magtakda

Ng araw kung kukunin na niya

Ang buhay na hiram.

(Ulitin ang K(Ulitin ang K(Ulitin ang K(Ulitin ang K(Ulitin ang Korororororo I & II)o I & II)o I & II)o I & II)o I & II)

titik at musiktitik at musiktitik at musiktitik at musiktitik at musika ni Bobba ni Bobba ni Bobba ni Bobba ni Bobby Escasa, y Escasa, y Escasa, y Escasa, y Escasa, No BNo BNo BNo BNo Bail Bail Bail Bail Bail Bandandandandand


87

“We all know that volunteering is a very

noble thing to do, but beyond that, in the deepest

of our hearts, it’s not because we just want to be

noble that we do it. We do it because we love

our neighbor… (it is) loving those, especially those

who have been forgotten. These inmates are per-

ceived to be bad people, but we do not completely

understand why these things happen. But when

we go to them, they will have that connection to

the good people, and if ever, sabihin na natin,

99% bad ang nandodoon, ‘yong 1% na good-

ness doon sa person na ‘yon mata-tap. And it

will overflow, maco-cover na ‘yong 99%.”

Marge Salandanan-Pambid

former QC Jail Project coordinator

LLLLLogged noogged noogged noogged noogged notestestestestes


88 July 20, 2000

Hi Kuya Raymund!

Eto na ang first “in-house” (naks!) logbook para sa mga volunteers at pati na rin sa mga “dor-

mers”. I hope tatagal ito.

Sorry (2X) na hindi pa ako nakakabalik diyan. May balak akong ayusin muna ang floor plan

ng QC Hall of Justice para sa ating primer. Pero baka by next week pa magagawa. Tungkol sa

tutorial classes, puwede ba next month na lang ako mag-uumpisa? Busy pa ako this month!

Kumusta na Kuya Raymund? Okay pa ba kayo ni Sheila? Sana mabuti naman. As for my love

life, non-existent pa rin. Or kung mayroon man, hindi ko alam.

ZAK

July 22, 2000

Dear Pipol,

Hello sa inyong lahat! Kumusta ba ang pagfollow-up sa QC Hall? Sana di kayo mahirapan.

Okey naman sila…so far… pero minsan, kainis. Anyway, okay naman dito di ba? Parang nasa bahay

lang tayo. Feel at home ba. Huwag kayong matakot sa kanila. Mas nakakatakot nga sa UP eh, di

ba? Sana huwag tayong magsawa kahit masungit ang iilang tao. Lagi lang tayong mag-smile. ‘Yun

lang! Sa muling pagsusulat! Bye!

VANI

August 7, 2000

Hay naku, Raymund! Kahit kelan talaga, ang drama mo. (hehehe)

Alam ko ‘yong feeling, kahit hindi ako inmate, I have been relating with “dormers” for so long na

alam ko na kung paano kayo nabuburyong, nalulungkot at umiiyak. Alam ko kung paano katagal


89maghintay… at maghintay… at maghintay. Alam ko kung paano mabigo, kung paano umasa sa mga

taong inaakala mong tutulong at kung paano mabigo, muli. Alam ko kung paano matakot sa mga

bagay na “unknown”. Ang hirap noh? ‘Yun bang tipong kahit na wala ka namang kasalanan pero

people perceive you pa rin as the “latak ng lipunan”. At paglabas mo, mas mahirap pa.

Pero ‘wag kang mag-alala, may purpose naman ang lahat ng bagay, di ba? Siguro kung hindi ka

nakulong, malamang hindi mo nahanap si Sheila at malamang you wouldn’t have made that much

impact sa society. Kaya, pasalamat pa rin tayo.

Lahat ng bagay ay may kadahilanan. Tatanda rin ang mga taong namumuhi sa ‘yo at eventu-

ally, sa katandaan nila, hindi na nila maaalala kung ano ang nangyari. Naalala ko tuloy ‘yong

kuwento ng babae sa “Scarlet Letter”. She was caught having an adulterous affair so she was con-

victed by the society of such crime. Lahat ng damit niya tinatakan ng letter “A” for adultery. Tapos,

lahat ng tao galit sa kanya, namumuhi sa kanya. Pero she still continued doing good and what is

right. Then, dumating ang panahon na tumanda na lahat ang mga taong namumuhi sa kanya at

nakalimutan na nila ang ibig sabihin ng “A” sa mga damit niya. Nung tinanong nila sa kanya kung

ano ‘yon, sabi niya… “A” meant ANGEL or something to that effect.

Okay lang ‘yon, Raymund. Ika nga… THIS TOO WILL PASS AWAY.

THET

Jan 16, 2001

Para sa mga bagong batch ng QCJ volunteers,

Salamat sa pagpili n’yo sa QC Jail bilang lugar na kayo ay boluntir. Ito ay lugar na taliwas sa

inyong kinagisnan sa UP. Dito ay medyo siksikan at mabaho aaminin ko, at marami ay di naghangad

na mapunta rito. Kaya’t laking galak ko, sampu ng aking mga kasamang inmates, na kayo ay

magiging kaibigan namin.

Sana marami kayong matutunan sa inyong “exposure” sa isang kulungan. Malalaman n’yong

mayroon kaming munting komunidad dito. Pilit kaming nabubuhay at nakikibaka kahit pa kami


90 ay binansagang mga “Patay na Buhay.” Pilit itinatayo ang aming dignidad na nawasak dahil sa

kahihiyan ng pagkakulong.

Tulad ng isang komunidad, may maganda at pangit sa aming sistema. Di ko na palalawigan

ang mga sistemang iyan, nasa inyo na upang pag-usapan at pag-aralan. Ang suhestiyon ko lang ay

maging mapagmasid. Di bale, ang sekuridad ninyo ay parating nasa aming “top priority” at kailanman

ay magiging matahimik ang inyong pagpunta rito.

Goodluck! Ang bawat pagpunta n’yo rito ay indikasyon na may nagmamahal sa amin. Nawa’y

maging instrumento kayo upang mabigyan liwanag ang mga kaluluwang matagal nang nabubuhay

sa kadiliman.

KUYA RAYMUND

March 11,2001

Sa aking mga kakosa,

Basahin n’yo naman ang kuwento ko... First time pupunta sa QC Jail, kasama ko si Sheila. Sa

bus pa lang, ninenerbiyos na ako. Until finally, dumating na kami. Nagulat ako sa nakita ko!

Hindi parang kulangan ang QC Jail, para lang itong “isang low class na barangay!”

Nagulat ako sa manner ng pagfri-frisk ng mga guwardya pagpasok namin sa gate. Lahat na yat

ng kalamnan ko napindot nila. Nang pumasok kami, grabe... ang dami ng tao. May sumalubong sa

amin. Si Chris daw sita at taga--APB. Pinaakyat niya kami sa kubol niya. Nagulat ako sa nakita

ko. Mayroon siyang isang buong entertainment system.

Halos anim na oras kami doon. Ewan ko... pero pag-alis ko ng kulungan, nakaramdam ako ng

matinding pagkalungkot.

BENTLEY


91 March 17,2001

Mga kakosa! Si Bentley ulit ito at may kwento ulit ako. Bumalik ako kanina sa QC Jail. Ang

ganda pala ng experience kapag ikaw mismo ang nag-i-interview sa mga inmates na tinutulungan mo.

Iba ang feeling kapag nakakausap mo sila, gustung-gusto mo lalu silang tulungan. By this time, wala

na sa akin ang pagse-search nila. Wala namang mawawala sa akin eh. Hindi na rin ako nakiliti.

Nakilala ko nga rin pala ang iba pang mga taga--Alpha Phi Beta na nakakulong dahil sa Mark

Icasiano case. Nakita ko rin si Dan na dati kong kasama sa UP Debate Society. Sayang!

March 19, 2001

Mga Batang QC Jail!

Huling hirit na ito! Kailangan ko lang talagang ma--i-share sa inyo itong kuwentong ito.

Perhaps, this is my most unforgettable experience! Nakuha ko ang release order ni Allejandro

Villalon, kilala n’yo ba siya? Anyway, I was so proud and excited to go back to the jail. Kaya

pagdating ko sa jail, kinausap ko kaagad si Kuya Raymund. Pinatawag niya agad si Alejandro, kaya

lang, walang nag-respond. Pero okay pa rin. Basta ang alam ko, I was able to help a man regain his

freedom today! I really can’t wait to tell this to my mom!

BENTLEY (pa rin!)

April 23, 2001

Dear Kuya Raymund,

Magandang hot summer sa ‘yo at sa lahat sa loob. I-try naming mag-visit nang mas madalas

pero hindi talaga ako maka-promise. Everyday kasi ang klase ko tapos parang confused pa ‘yong isang

class ko kung survey course siya o critical approaches. Pero I know na babalik-balik pa rin ako dito


kasi ang natutunan ko dito sa loob ay never na mapapantayan ng kahit na anong achievement ko sa

labas. One way or another, alam ko namang nakakatulong din ang pagdalaw-dalaw ko sa loob. Iba

kasi ang karanasang naiipon ko sa pagpunta rito.

HORACE

WEEEEE!!! Another laya!!!--- VENUS

Hango sa logbook ng mga boluntirHango sa logbook ng mga boluntirHango sa logbook ng mga boluntirHango sa logbook ng mga boluntirHango sa logbook ng mga boluntir

92

pahinungod behind bars

Documents