NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – The Christmas season is more than a time of festivity; it’s a season for inmates to make some honest money while confined behind the walls of La Carlota City District Jail in Negros Occidental.
By crafting parols – traditional Filipino Christmas lanterns and other decorations – persons deprived of liberty or PDLs there not only earn much-needed income but also reclaim a sense of purpose.
The initiative in La Carlota has been a hallmark of the facility since 2004, combining skill-building with livelihood generation, said Jail Officer Justin Delgado, who oversees the program.
The program has been enabling them each year to meet some of their own needs within the jail and help support their families outside, Delgado told Rappler on Wednesday, November 20.
Every year, starting in September, the La Carlota PDLs create over a thousand lanterns, ranging from simple designs priced at P80 to intricate, Pampanga-inspired creations costing up to P1,500. Delgado said these efforts foster personal growth and prepare PDLs for life after incarceration.
“We aim to equip PDLs with valuable skills and a sense of purpose, fostering personal growth and preparing them for reintegration into society,” Delgado said, emphasizing the workshops and mentorship provided to newcomers in the craft.
Provincial Jail Administrator Marie Rose Laguyo called the initiative a “cherished tradition” that shows the creative capacity of PDLs during the holiday season.
Sybel Nobleza, Association of Negros Producers (ANP) external affairs manager, said, “Their creativity serves as a powerful reminder that no matter how dark their paths may seem, the light of hope can still shine through them. We hope to inspire more people to see and appreciate that, regardless of their current situation – whether inside jail or not – they remain part of our community.”
This year, the program took center stage during the 15th Suga sa Paskua, a lantern-making contest held in partnership with Robinsons Mall Bacolod. The event featured entries from 21 Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facilities across Negros Occidental, transforming the mall into a glowing gallery of hope during the launch on Tuesday, November 19.
The mall transformed into a gallery of glowing parols, each symbolizing hope, as mall-goers admired the craftsmanship behind every lantern.
Nobleza, one of the contest judges, said, “They are worthy of commendation and support. This recognition can ultimately help them shift their perspectives, becoming more productive citizens. Life is not always about sadness. We can defy sadness if we allow happiness to take root inside us, and creativity is a powerful way to do that.”
La Carlota District Jail Warden Ma. Lorelie Dimaculangan said that given the right opportunities, PDLs can positively impact the community.
“Through this project, we not only bring light and joy to the holiday season but also reinforce the messages of inclusivity, hope, and second chances,” she said. – Rappler.com
