So, This is What The Prison is Like…

I was amazingly calm that Sunday morning. Given the fact that I had a lot to drink the previous night and I only had a few hours of sleep. I even forgot my only ID with my picture on it. I texted Jojie about this as we were about to exit Susana Heights. She then advised us not to push thru with it anymore since the guards are terribly strict and I might not be allowed to enter without proper ID. Heck, we were there around 9:30am, as planned. Traveling from QC to Muntinlupa is no joke especially for people like us who most often than not prefer to stay at home and sleep  until noon. But we committed ourselves to this so we might as well try our luck and go on with it. We kinda got lost but kept looking for the office of the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service (PJPS) and stayed there while waiting for Jojie and Jay.

The use of superheroes via comic medium is popular these days because they really do grab attention. We’re hoping that this volunteer work can get some much needed attention and support so it can perpetuate its cause which is to help inmates understand themselves better, thereby helping them function well as human beings and preparing them for real life after Munti upon release. So much more grains to sow… I plan to send a letter to the GSIS President and General Manager one of these  days as a start.

I think I was lucky that day. With the use of just my photoless credit card, I was granted entry. I got a bit excited but I was controlling every over acting (OA) emotion I had. I simply wanted to blend in the crowd and be regarded as a volunteer. When we were officially within the premises of Bilibid, we were greeted courteously by everyone we passed by. I was stunned by their sense of kindness and respect. Never had I experienced such utter sense of peace and respect “outside”. Then one by one, men would flock us and offer us umbrellas while walking towards their makeshift classroom. I never knew death row people could be so kind. I was really wowed. Too bad, we weren’t allowed to bring anything inside. This photo on the left was taken afterwards outside the Bilibid grounds. Who would’ve thought that this castle-like structure is a maximum-security prison, huh?

Peter and I just observed that day. There were two classes; the first one is a much larger group which tackles PAGKILALA SA SARILI. The class basically teaches its students how to get to know themselves better thru the psychological concepts and theories presented by various well-known psychologists. Eric Ericson was their topic that day. The 2^nd group was a much smaller one which teaches a more profound and difficult topic, PAGKILALA SA PAMILYA thru the use of Genogram. With this, the students will discover their inner and subconscious motivations for their past actions by getting to know their history as well as their family’s which could eventually help them in dealing better with their future behavior, thoughts and actions. This discussion is more intimate, more raw, more dangerous. For who really knows how the criminal’s mind works right? Jay, a practicing psychologist for a long time now, knew how to handle it. He can be pushy if needed but he explained well that this is nothing personal. I was all eyes and ears the whole time. I wasn’t even sleepy (which normally happens to me when I’m in the middle of something boring and knowing that I lack sleep). I wasn’t even afraid that beside me were homicide killers, rapists and God-knows-what. I just wanted to learn how I could be of help. I know I said that Peter and I are only available on the first Sunday of every month. But I’ll see. Maybe, I can make it twice a month or so. For now, I promise to attend their graduation on Sept. 24 and hopefully, join the teaching force by next semester. If I’m not yet well-equipped, maybe I can do administrative work first like look for sponsors and other volunteers as well.

So friends, if you’ve got nothing better to do on a Sunday morning (9:30am-12:30pm and you have a very generous heart that you wish to share whether in teaching, sponsoring, marketing, pls join us in Skwelahang Sikolohiya.  We need all the help we can get. Check out our website at: www.freewebs.com/skwelahang_sikolohiya