Tag: Prison Ministry

“BRINGING THE FIESTA IN TAGUIG CITY JAIL” By Alli Raval – Prison Ministry Head

Post author By Santuario de San Antonio Parish
Post date August 24, 2015

The Prison Ministry together with Fr. Reu Galoy, the SYA Volunteers and JPIC Scholars brought the fiesta to Taguig City Jail by having a “Master Chef” cooking challenge last May 30, 2015. For one day, inmates bring back happy memories of cooking for their loved ones. A total of 400 kilos of vegetables, 120 chickens, 25 dozens of eggs, and so much more were given for them to cook a 3 course meal to share with their fellow inmates numbering to about 1,000.

This cooking challenge is the jump start of more activities for the TCJ inmates. We are currently in the process of helping them build a “Multi-faith Purpose chapel.” We are finalizing the plans and will start construction soon.

This will be the second chapel that the Prison ministry will help build. The first one was in Makati City Jail completed last 2013. This chapel will enable the residents to have a venue where they can have catechism lessons, recollections, teachings and the like. We will help them build not just the chapel but also their relationship with God.

We would like to appeal to you and to your generous hearts to support our Francisfest 2015, a fund raising project featuring CECILE B. LICAD with the ABS-CBN Philhamonic Orchestra for the benefit of Santuario de San Antonio Parish Foundation’s outreach and charity programs.

“COOKING FROM THE HEART”
by Marco Joson Merencillo – SYA Member

Life can be tedious at times. The daily grind to work can drain the energy we have. That’s why we look forward to the weekend because it’s the time to unwind, meet friends and eat out. But for a moment, imagine yourself in jail… what will you look forward to? Your freedom? Your visitors? Or your food?

In Taguig City Jail (TCJ), I found out that the inmates are fortunate enough to have breakfast, lunch and dinner. Surprisingly, the menu changes everyday, which consists of chicken, beef, pork, fish, vegetables and rice. A variety of Filipino staples such as tinapa, menudo, chopsuey, adobo, lomi, sinigang and tinola are served. All of these seem nourishing enough but I believe it’s not as satisfying as a homemade meal nor even surpass a restaurant dish.So imagine the delight of the inmates upon learning that they will have a cooking competition called Master Chef, a contest organized by the Prison Ministry together with Single Young Adults (SYA) with the participation of JPIC scholars of Santuario de San Antonio Parish.

May 30, 2015 was the day of the cooking competition. As I went inside the jail premises,the entrance was decorated with bamboo sticks and flowers made from colored paper. Moreover, rainbow-like flags hanged above the tents to create a fiesta atmosphere. The place did not resemble a prison at all.

Piece by piece, our volunteers brought inside the penitentiary all the items for the contest. We unpacked and distributed the ingredients into 12 tables. Each working area has a team of 5 members of the same gender. Hmmm… will the men win? Or will it be the females who are mostly the cooks in the house?

Following a few words of encouragement from our leader Jolly Gomez, our host Alli Raval started the contest by shouting “Game on!” Then the participants rushed to finish a minimum of three viands: appetizer, main course and dessert. After more than an hour of cooking, each team presented their dishes to the judges: Chef Nino Laus and Chef Isaac Bravo. Suprisingly, the meals looked and smelled delicious. At the end of the taste test, the judges declared Table #9 as the winner of the competition! Later on, I asked the judges why did that group win? For them, the team’s menu of pinakbet, pochero and turon stood out from the rest, which can even be served in a restaurant.

As a volunteer, I was fortunate to witness such a rare day of camaraderie amongst the prisoners and guards. The officers enjoyed taking pictures of the festivities and mingling with the participants.There were no rowdiness or fights that occurred. Smiles and laughter filled the premises. It was apparent that the inmates enjoyed the Master Chef competition. I saw how they lovingly prepared the meals as if they were cooking it for their own family. At the end of the day, what mattered most was the event reminded the inmates of their own home… where in the food is more delicious when you cook from the heart.

“ANG AKING KARANASAN SA TAGUIG CITY JAIL”
By Albert Puyoc – JPIC Scholar

Isang magandang karanasan ang aking nakamtan nong panahon ng kami ay pumunta sa Taguig City Jail. Excited at may halong kaba at takot ang aking naramdaman nang kami ay papunta pa lang sa aming distinasyon. Noong kami ay papasok na sa Taguig City jail unting-unting nawala ang nararamdaman kong kaba dahil sa aking mga nakita. Tinutulungan kami ng mga preso buhatin at ihanda ang mqa gamit para sa aktibidad. Ngunit hindi pa rin nawala ang nararamdaman kong takot sa maaring mangyari sa aming sa loob ng preso. Nang nagsimula na ang aming aktibidad para sa mga preso, unting-unting napalitan ng saya ang takot na aking nararamdaman. Napagtanto ko na hindi naman pala ganuon kasama ang mga taong nasa loob, tulad ng aking inaakala. Kinalaunan may mga preso kami nakilala at nakausap. Sa naramdaman ko habang kinakausap sila, sila ay simpleng tao tulad natin na nagkamali lamang. Kaya dapat nating silang patawarin at bigyan ng pagkakataong magbago. Kung ang Diyos nga ay pinatawad tayo sa mga kasalanan ating nagawa, tayo pa kayang mga tao. Masaya at naging matagumpay ang aktibidad na ginawa ng Prison Ministry at ng SYA at ng Santuario De San Antonio Parish. Dahil sa aktibidad na ito nalaman ko na myroon din palang aking galing sa pagluluto at iba pang mga bagay ang mga preso katulad nila. Nabago ang aking paniniwala at pagtingin sa mga preso dahil sa karanasan na iyon. Napagod man sa huli, naging masaya pa rin ako dahil naging bahagi ako sa aktibidad na tulad nito at nakatulong ako sa aking kapwa.

Tags 2015 Francisfest beneficiary, JPIC, Prison Ministry

Prison

Jail Time by Marco Joson Merencillo

Post author By Santuario de San Antonio Parish
Post date August 16, 2014

It was gloomy today as I got near the huge gray gates surrounded by equally tall walls. This barrier was well built to contain the people inside. Then as the steel doors opened, guards clad in black clothes stopped me for inspection. Upon getting clearance to move on, I walked a little further and I saw them… the people in yellow shirts… the prisoners.

I was within the premises of the Makati City Jail… and it was my first time inside a prison.

Why did I end up here? No, I did not commit any crime. Rather, I volunteered to serve the criminals here with my SYA friends from Santuario San Antonio Parish and the Prison Ministry.

Upon my first glimpse of the inmates, they were not locked up in their cells. Instead, they were inside a chapel attending a catholic mass during a Saturday afternoon. As I heard the word of God was being read, I entered and took a seat beside these dangerous people.

I have to admit that I didn’t feel at ease being around these lawbreakers… after all, they did something evil to be put behind bars. Did they rob an employee in a crowded mall? Did they rape a girl walking in a dark alley? Did they kill someone in broad daylight? Questions such as these filled my mind.

However as my eyes roamed around, I noticed that the physical features of these people varied greatly. Some were scrawny while others were brawny. There were males, females, gays and lesbians. A lot were Filipinos but some were foreigners. Most of them looked clean and did not stink.

What’s my point? At first glance, you wouldn’t know that they were criminals unless you see them inside this prison.

During the Holy Eucharist, I observed that the detainees were also the readers of the bible passages and some were members of the choir. All throughout the mass, they were well behaved as they listened carefully to the priest. Their actions showed their devotion to Jesus by solemnly praying and gleefully singing to honor Him.

After the concluding rites, an officer-in-charge ordered the male convicts to go outside the chapel. They moved out to gather as a group while the warden made a headcount.In contrast, a female officer tallied the women who were left behind. The detainee near me said that counting usually occurs every three hours. According to her, so far there have not been any attempts to escape among the regular attendees of the mass.

As the prisoners returned to their seats, my SYA friends and I gave them some popcorn and juice.We held a film showing entitled “Ekstra” starring Vilma Santos.

The movie revolves around the life of a bit player (ekstra) named Loida Malabanan who is a single mom that wants to provide a better future for her daughter. She is a professional bit player whose role is to be part of a crowd in most Filipino soap operas. The movie shows the numerous hardships that bit players undergo to earn a small amount of money.There are no changing rooms, no toilets and no sleeping beds that are provided for an “ekstra.”But as a whole, everyone involved in producing a telenovela has some sort of adversity to overcome even if he is a director or a staff.

When the film ended, one of the prisoners volunteered to share his insights on the film. He said that: “Katulad sa pelikula, lahat sa atin dito ay may iba’t ibang antas sa buhay. Merong mayaman, mahirap at yung iba ay taga ibang bansa pa. Pero tayo ay lahat nandidito sa loob ng kulungan kaya dapat mahalin at irespeto natin ang bawat isa.”

The audience applauded and afterwards, my SYA friends started to distribute some soap to the detainees as they fell in line to return to their cells.

Since this was my first MCJ experience, I was astounded that the prisoners were calm all through out. There were no signs of greediness or rowdiness. I did not expect this orderliness from them. I always thought that the people inside this institution were war freaks. I was wrong.

So I asked the guy in yellow beside me, “Bakit hindi kayo magulo dito?” He smiled a bit and answered, “Hindi kami basta mga preso, kami ay pamilya.”

Thank you Father God for the opportunity to serve today. I was really glad to have spent my time with the prisoners. I am blessed to be part of the SYA Family.

Tags Marco Joson Merencillo, Prison Ministry, prison outreach

Articles JPIC Prison Ministry

“Being Called to God’s Mission” by Maevie Ortiz

Post author By Santuario de San Antonio Parish
Post date March 9, 2014

Every Friday night young adults like me would just like to relax, grab a drink and rant about epic failures of the week. Normally, after these Friday night-outs with friends, I would extend my sleep the next day. But when asked by one of my friends, what my agenda will be this Saturday…I proudly said I will be visiting friends from MCJ (my 2nd time). Lo and behold judgments came after my statement. One of my friends said, “I’d rather go on an outreach with orphans or old folks than sinners”.

Instead of defending the residents I’ve encountered in MCJ, I just asked if they would want to try it themselves so that their perspective towards these “least brethren” would be different than the usual stereotyping. I’m not sure how I handled that awkward situation but I knew in my heart that tomorrow’s experience would be something worthwhile. Initially, I was a bit swayed by the idea of extending my sleep. I was still deliberating before going to bed until finally I woke up early the next day with a 6am text message. Thanks to one of my SYA friends who texted me to be reminded of the extra red shirt she requested and informed me that she is already on her way to our agreed meeting place. Besides this anonymous guardian angel from SYA, the recent learning I gained from Thursday’s prayer meeting certainly gave me that push and natural high to obey God’s call to do His mission.

And so we arrived in MCJ that Saturday morning. What kept me curious is the thought that this has been an on-going contest 3 times in row. Being an avid Master Chef fan, I wondered how it would look like if I am physically present, witnessing the thrill of cooking and (best part) tasting.

For this year, 12 cell groups participated. Specific ingredients were distributed per table and a communal area was provided for other condiments/supplies that all groups might need as they prepare their sumptuous meals. It was an exciting sight seeing them strategically dividing their group members in the preparation of their three entries: appetizer, main dish and dessert. I assumed the role of an “all-around” runner and I LOVED every single part of the experience. No one dictated or even limited me to do certain tasks and I just followed what I thought seemed appropriate given a certain situation. I willingly assisted in the fair distribution of ingredients while joyfully giving words of encouragement to the residents. At the same time, I was injecting humor through dancing to the groove while the cooks and prepare their appetizing meals.

These maybe simple gestures that were left unnoticed, I am not even sure if they remembered who I was. But regardless, what mattered most was that I left the place with a full heart. I knew right at the moment I stepped out of MCJ that “going beyond the usual Saturday” and going beyond my comfort zone was definitely well worth it. My trust and commitment towards service worked and I thank God for the experience of His mission through my experience of what it is like to willingly share time, talent and treasure without even waiting to be acknowledged or thanked. I am truly grateful to God for this beautiful experience of community. Cheers to more service! 

Tags Prison Ministry

Articles Pastoral Team Reflections

“I was in prison and you visited me…” Matthew 25:37

Post author By Santuario de San Antonio Parish
Post date January 5, 2014

This Sunday is the end of National Correctional Consciousness (NACOCO) Week a national celebration held in correctional institutions across the country. For one week, the inmates through their supporters hold activities among themselves and for their families and friends.

In our parish the Prison Ministry would like to take this opportunity to share with you the activities that it does for the inmates of Makati City Jail. The most basic need of an inmate is justice, through the prison ministry; indigent inmates are assisted with legal counsel from lawyers in the SYA community as well as through volunteers who coordinate their cases with the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO).

The majority of the inmates are poor and cannot afford bail, legal fees and money for their most basic needs. Many of the inmates have very few visitors and therefore rely on the prison system for all their needs for food, clothing and toiletries. This is the second concern that the Prison Ministry addresses. In every activity that we do, we try our best to give some food, soap, toothpaste, detergent and other small things that go along way. Even used soap from hotels is well received by the inmates. We also coordinate with the City for medical missions and emergency hospitalization for serious cases.

The third concern that the Prison Ministry addresses is the need for livelihood, skills, recreation and development. In this regard, there are several projects that the Ministry does together with the SYA community such as sports (chess, boxing, futsal, dodgeball and others), cooking contests, film showing, Adult Learning tutorials, livelihood programs (eco bags and other sewn items, handicrafts), and much more.

The final concern is that of the spirit. SYA volunteers teach catechism classes to the inmates every Monday evening, there are weekly masses on Saturday afternoons that our volunteers regularly participate in, we help with special religious celebrations such as feast days, lent, Easter, Christmas and even Santacruzans. The Prison Ministry helped build a 200 person capacity chapel inside the prison grounds that is considered one of the most beautiful chapels in any correctional institution in the Philippines.

Last September 14, Archbishop Luis Tagle celebrated mass at the chapel and the Prison Ministry was the only group that was allowed to stay inside the chapel with the inmates. In his homily he mentions how the Church is close to prisoners because Christ was a prisoner. He also mentioned that prisoners are no longer calledinmates but as temporary residents of the institution. The mass was so beautiful because one could feel the prayers of all the residents all around the small chapel. Prayers of justice and assistance, prayers of love for their families outside the walls, and prayers of thanksgiving for giving the residents a second chance.

This week’s NACOCO will have activities such as dance and singing contest, a Bible trivia contest, a basketball and volleyball tournament, medical mission, and a Family Fun Day. All of these projects of the Prison Ministry would not be possible without the generous contributions of all parishioners through mass collections and donations during the annual Francisfest. Outside the church today is a small photo display of some activities of the Prison Ministry.

For more information on the Prison Ministry Outreach Program>>>>>