1st National Conference Souvenir Issue
Volume 1 No. 1
MALACANAN PALACE
MANILA
MESSAGE
My warmest greetings to the
delegates of the First National
Conference on Inmates Reha-
bilitation, organized by the Pro-
vincial Rehabilitation Com-
mission and Prison Fellow-
ship International Pilipinas.
Our administration places para-
mount importance on the wel-
fare of our citizens, including
next page please
January 2011
Welcome to the 1st PFIP
National Conference Date: January 19-21, 2011
Venue: National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) Retreat
Center, Banilad, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
Theme: “Together We Care: Affirming Our Mission to Prison”
Objectives:
1. To gather together people of like-minded concern to care for prisoners, and to
deepen and strengthen their commitment and involvement to work for and with
prisoners.
2. To be more equipped with new ideas, skills and approaches,strategies and
techniques on prisoner care and rehabilitation.
3. To be oriented about the Prison Fellowship International Pilipinas (PFIP) as a
newly-established and SEC-registered associate member of the PFI.
Get to know...
The Provincial Rehabilitation Commission & the
Prison Fellowship International Pilipinas, Inc.
T
he Provincial Rehabilitation Commission (PRC) is a reli-
gious-civic and ecumenical set-up running a care pro-
gram with prisoners in the city and provincial jails in
Negros Oriental. The PRC approach differs from traditional pris-
oners’ welfare programs in that it does not want to work solely
for prisoners but mainly with them. As far as regulations allow,
prisoners are actively engaged in and bear responsibility for
their own program. PRC is recognized by the local government
as a partner in the care and rehabilitation process of prisoners
wherever it operates. to page 6
What’s Inside... What is a Prisoner? .................................... 6
Editorial: Winds of Change ......................... 2 Prison Fellowship International .................. 7
Conference Schedule ................................ 3 Testimonies: Jarabe & Canolas .................. 9
Messages ................................................... 4 Welcome to Dumaguete ............................ 11
Volume 1 No. 1 - Ang Hangin - 1
Testimony of Reynaldo Cruz ...................... 5 Photos ....................................................... 12

MESSAGE, from page 1
those who are incarcerated.
Prison ministry organizations
in the Philippines have long
been active partners of the
government in improving the
material, moral, and spiritual
well-being of our inmates. I
thank you for your untiring ef-
forts, and trust that your heart-
felt service to our needy coun-
trymen will continue to
strengthen and inspire our
nation, as we work together to
build a peaceful, prosperous,
and progressive Philippines.
The daylight of hope and re-
newal has finally dawned upon
us. Hand in hand, let us reaf-
firm our commitment to trans-
forming the lives of our fellow
Filipinos and to rebuilding our
nation.
BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
MANILA
19 January 2011
2 - Ang Hangin - Volume 1 No. 1
EDITORIAL
Winds of Change
“Ang Hangin” in the Cebuano language means “the wind”. Wind is cooling,
wind can be destructive, wind is propelling, wind changes, wind is inspiring,
wind is transformative. The Hebrew word for wind is ruach which means
“breath”. In Greek pneuma means “spirit” Both spirit and breath then meant
the same thing.
This special and conference issue of the PFIP Souvenir Newsletter is pub-
lished with the expressed purpose of letting the winds and the spirit of change,
of unity and of transformation and inspiration propel us onward and more
swiftly forward as prison volunteers and workers, to be united in our minis-
try and in consonance with our vision to obey Christ’s mandate to care for
our sisters and brothers in prison. “I was in prison and you visited me…”
“Inasmuch as you did it to the least of our brothers and sisters, you did it to
me.” And now we join the global movement for ministry for prisoner care.
In this issue you will find not only the usual greetings and messages, confer-
ence guides and information, but also some testimonies of faith shared by
inmate, volunteer, family (wife) and ex-inmate. They share stories of prison
life and how God sustained them with the help of friends and kin.
The work of “hangin” is never-ending. It is like God himself as wind and
spirit. The Spirit of God moved upon the face of waters and chaos became
a world.
With God’s help we will be able to put out a manual for prison volunteers to
further guide us in this wonderful and challenging ministry. “…for many are
called but few are chosen.” Are we in this special class of a chosen few? But
may our tribe increase…
So read on and be inspired, strengthened and blessed even as the journey
begins and ends ever hopefully in God’s time.
Ang Hangin
The Official Newsletter of the Prison Fellowship International Pilipinas, Inc. (PFIP)
P.O. Box 119, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines | pfipilipinas@gmail.com | www.pfipilipinas.net
EDITORIAL BOARD:
Grace R. Tabada, Alma M. Mangubat, Joel B. Tabada
ENCODER: Gloria Gem T. Lumayag
LAYOUT: linkmediaservices@gmail.com
 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
TIME WED., JAN. 19 THUR., JAN. 20 FRI., JAN. 21 SAT. JAN. 22
6:00 A.M. TAI CHI / Meditation TAI CHI / Meditation, LDL TAI CHI / Meditation,
Leonardo Dela Luna / Master, LDL
Tigers Association

7:00 A.M. BREAKFAST (OD’s time 15 BREAKFAST (OD's time 15 minutes BREAKFAST (OD's
minutes before the meal - before the meal- recap, overview of the time 15 minutes
Orientation / Expectations) day's intentions) before the meal)

8:00 A.M. Bus ride to NODRC SHARING TIME: The PRC Story DEPARTURES
(Rey-Lovina Cruz, Joel Tabada)

9:00 A.M. ARRIVAL, RECEPTION NODRC PLENARY/OPEN FORUM

AND REGISTRATION OPEN HOUSE Clarifying., Summarizing…
• Silliman Church / (Warden Nicolas Noble & Staff)
Udarbe Chapel

10:00 A.M. OPENING PROGRAM PROJECTIONS: Panel Discus-

PRC’s 38th ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION
Speaker: Ronald Nikkel / PFI
Testimonies:
Volunteer - Sister Felicina;
Ex-Inmate – Sandy Ligahon
Introductions: Joel Tabada/PFIP
sion with Open Forum
(Bill Alforque, Callum Tabada -
facilitators, PFI Team, PFIP Board)
• Creation of a National PFIP
Board • PFIP, Inc. to serve as
UMBRELLA of local organiza-
tional chapters • Set national
conferences schedules

12:00 NN SHARE-A-MEAL with inmates, LUNCH

custodial staff, volunteers and (Wrap-up projections with
visitors (Prayer for blessing: PFIP BOARD -PFI leaders over
Pofirio Labi, Inmate) lunch)

1:30 P.M. Bus Ride to Banilad

2:00 P.M. SHARING TIME / NCCP Retreat CLOSING PROGRAM CONCERT:

Center (PFI Team: Ron Nikkel, Speaker: Mr. Jonathan Cortes “BREAK FREE”
Lee Fen Goh, Timothy Khoo Impressions: 3 delegates Z'MAR Band of the
and JonathanCortes) Acknowledgments: Grace UCCP Sibulan
Tabada @ Robinsons,
Dumaguete City
3:00 P.M. BREAK-UP GROUPS GUIDED TOUR (Around Dgte.) with students from
by regions Tour guides: Louie Alforque & universities and
Romualdo Seneres -- NOAH / colleges within
4:00 P.M. SHARING TIME 2 Luzon (Lovina SIDLAKANG NEGROS / Dumaguete City
Cruz & Leng Lubang, SU MARINE LAB / SPUD
facilitators) ECOSWARM

5:00 P.M. SHARING TIME 3 Mindanao

(Soc Idul & Sandy Ligahon.,
facilitators)

6:00 P.M. SUPPER SHARING TIME 4 Visayas (Sister EVENING PRAYERS

• SU Cafeteria Felicina & Beloy Blanco, facilitators) SPUD AV Room

7:00 P.M. MIDWEEK WORSHIP SUPPER SUPPER: SPUD Canteen

• Silliman Church (Sister Nintha Lucilla Baldado)
Speaker: SU Pres. Ben
Malayang iii Continue PFIP BOARD
- Overview: Alma meeting with PFI (Bethel
Mangubat Guesthouse)

8:30 P.M. Bus ride to NCCP SOCIALS / Sharing of Talents

Retreat Center in Emcee: Mr. Bert Riego
Banilad

9:00 P.M. ORIENTATION EVENING PRAYERS Bus ride back to NCCP

Venue Hosts: (Bishop (Sis. Cres Esguerra &Cris
Erme & Henie Camba) Jamandron)
Volume 1 No. 1 - Ang Hangin - 3
 “I was in prison and
you visited me…”
Matthew 25:36b (RSV)
We are so blessed to respond to this calling of Christ
for we do not only visit our brothers and sister behind
bars whom we considered the least, the lost and the last
but we serve them. Service which is beyond measure
because we are giving them hope amidst of their painful
experience; care amidst of the feeling that they are the
outcast in the society and love amidst of what they have
done.
May this 1st National Conference on Prison Ministry
with the theme: “Together we care: Affirming our Com-
mitment to Prison Ministry” an avenue for us to revital-
ize our passion and ardent desire to share not only what
we have but sharing our very self with our inmates. We,
the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology believe
that our thrust to transform and rehabilitate our clientele
would only remain as a vision without the collaboration
of the individuals who selflessly actively engaging them-
selves in prison ministry.
With this, may I congratulate the Prison Fellowship In-
ternational Pilipinas, Incorporated for spearheading this
conference. Let’s ask the Lord in our bended knees to
enlighten more souls to engage themselves in this noble
apostolate. After all, we are sharing the same mission,
to serve the Lord in the least fortunate brothers of ours.
May God bless us all!
Rosendo Moro Dial, CESO III
Jail Director DSC
Chief, Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology
4 - Ang Hangin - Volume 1 No. 1
MESSAGE
I
t was an exhilarating experience to take
note of the several “Subasco” (inter-
mittent) winds of applications from
Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to come to
this First National Conference on Prison
Ministry here in Negros Oriental, in this remote part of 7,114-island
Philippines.
We thank God for the “Habagat” (Southeastern) wind of our President
Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III himself who found time to fan our confer-
ence with the “daylight of hope and renewal…” towards… “transform-
ing lives…” and we may add, through the powerful wind of the Holy
Spirit.
And we thank God for the “Amihan” (Northern) wind in terms of the
Prison Fellowship International, a global wind of 114 nations in prison
ministry network.
Now God bless our forming the Prison Fellowship International Philip-
pines, Inc. which, we may proclaim today its birth by this occasion with
the presence of the President of Prison Fellowship International, Ron
Nikkel himself! and the Vice President of Prison Fellowship International,
Mr. Timothy Khoo who blew-introduced to us PFI tie last year accom-
panied by PFI Envoy Jonathan Cortes, and Ms. Lee Fen Goh Asia PFI
secretary, and other colleagues.
We are touched by the several helping hands of the academe, govern-
ment, individuals, and the ecumenical-minded churches as well as the
fundamentalist and conservative - but who all acknowledge salvation in
Jesus Christ, enjoining those outside of the flock (our Muslim and other
religious kins) and responding to his call to visit him in prison, reaching
out to these people in unfreedom, sharing with them our sense of the
light of the Way, the Truth and the Life, as well as learning also from their
variably unique incarceration experiences.
We of the local Provincial Rehabilitation Commission, founded 38 years
ago, hopefully would gain more weight in being enabled only to do
more for and with our brothers and sisters in rehabilitation and the other
creative and dynamic options of prison life.
On behalf of our precious prison volunteers (may your tribe increase!)
and the inmates, the guards, our beloved Governor Roel Degamo, the
Warden Col. Nicolas Noble, the President of the PFIP Board, Dr.Silvester
Alforque, as well as members of the present PFIP Board, we say our
warmest welcome “Dayon” to one and all! May the wind of God be with
us giving us the needed breath and direction to do His will with the least
of our kins.
REV. JOEL B. TABADA
PRC Chairman, PFIP Executive Director
 From a Death Sentence to Being Free
TESTIMONY OF REYNALDO PENA CRUZ
with Lovina Galicha-Cruz

M
y LIFE inside Jail: Imprisoned for eleven (11) long cell. Sometimes, the Jail Warden will take me to their home
years from August 1976 to May 1987. Prime of my to fix electrical needs. Even if I don’t sing well, I joined in the
life at age 26, I was incarcerated for the crime of Ar- Jailbirds Singers. I was happy that I can help the Jail Adminis-
son—a crime punishable by DEATH! My good lawyer defended tration in any way possible.
this ‘sensational’ case for four years and yet lost. The Judge I was blest to have a family who loves me: my parents,
of the Lower Court of Davao City found me guilty and sen- brothers and sisters ( we’re 9 siblings). My father made sure
tenced me a Death Penalty in 1979. that he was always present every time there was a hearing. If
My world crumbled, lost Hope that promulgation day! I my mother was so sad because she could not come visit me
shouted and cried in desperation and disbelief! I asked God, for five years, I’ve felt the same. Only, I was comforted by the
why? Why? I turned to look for my lawyer, and I saw him walked people around me, some detainees who became my close
out of the courtroom, and I saw the judge quickly slipped off to friends, some jail guards. I wish to thank, Mr. Roble who was
his office. I’M INNOCENT! I cried! The clerk staff brought me available to escort me to my hearing, dental and medical needs.
a glass of water, to calm me down, but I did not drink it. My
father held my legs tight so that I could not stand and follow to In LOVE in PRISON?
where the judge was. Yes! I believe that love comes in an unexpected places.
For three days, I was just in bed, not getting up, not . . and of all places, in prison! I knew God loves me. He found
talking, nor eat, or brush my teeth. I was so weak, and wanted me. He chose me. He looked upon me when I needed Him
to die. There were many people who talked to me, a nun, a most. . . in this time of hopelessness. With my death sen-
priest, a Pastor—all of tence, who can tell when
them, my inmate friends. can I get out of here. I
thought of a worst-sce-
There is HOPE! nario. . . of escaping. When
I wish to thank sev- the terrible jailbreak hap-
eral people during my jour- pened , 19 inmates got
ney inside the jail. For with- loose. Jail guards on duty
out them, I have not known were hurt. This frightening
and found JESUS CHRIST story is a bit sad, and long,
– my SAVIOR, my LORD but this fateful day for
and my GOD! First, the them, was the day I lived.
Tabada family: Rev. Joel They were not able to take
and Mrs. Grace Roble- me with them. I hid in the
Tabada and family. They ladies comfort room. One
shared, showed God’s love of them was killed, two
by teaching, demonstrat- were captured and pun-
ing their faith through ac- ished severely. God is for-
tions. The Office of the ever faithful and protected
Ecumenical Rehabilitation me. . . I praise and thank
Concerns (ERC) Mindanao God because I thought of
headed by Rev. Tabada. CRUZ FAMILY (L-R): Denden, Lovina, Rey (not in picture: Jero & my future: my would-be-
With ERC personnel, they Daniel) family: my wife and child.
were able to implement their objectives in the different working My wife then, was 4 months pregnant. I did not escape. God
committees. I felt I belong, felt loved for their concerns. I have had a better OPTION!
reasons to live. ERC has a Rehabilitation Officer/Worker who I want to LIVE! I found freedom. I found love. I choose to
coordinates all the activities of the working committees. We, live. I won the love of a woman who is now my wife, and mother
the detainees and sentenced inmates participated with glad- of our children. She had many sacrifices in the name of love. I
ness in our hearts. no longer carry my prison number around, but that God put
My daily experience turned into a day full of expecta- back my life which died the day I was sentenced to die. She
tions. In fact, among the more than 300 inmates, I knew in my worked as ERC’s Rehabilitation Worker. She knew that our
heart I was special. My days were busy with work outside my
to page 11

Volume 1 No. 1 - Ang Hangin - 5

 WHAT IS A PRISONER?
L
egally, “PRISONER” is a term given to a person
confined in jail to serve a prison sentence after con
viction by a competent court or authority. However,
the term has been used generally to include even those still
awaiting trial and their promulgation. There are three kinds
of prisoners:
1) DETAINEE – a person who is detained in jail for
the violation of law or ordinance and has not yet
been convicted; still on trial; detained in either mu-
nicipal, city or provincial jail.
2) SENTENCED PRISONER – a person who is con-
victed by a final judgment and classified as follows:
a. Insular prisoner – a person who is sentenced
to a prison term of over three (3) years or to
pay a fine of more than one thousand pesos
(P1, 000.00 +) or both fine and imprisonment;
confined in National Penitentiaries;
b. City Prisoner – a person who is sentenced to
serve imprisonment for not more than three (3)
years or to pay a fine of not more than one
thousand pesos (P1,000.00) or both fine and
imprisonment; Confined in city jails.
c. Municipal Prisoner – a person who is sen-
tenced to serve imprisonment for not more than
six (6) months; Confined in municipal jails.
3) SAFEKEEPING – the temporary custody of a per-
son for his own protection or to secure from liabil-
ity to harm, injury or danger.
REASONS FOR INCARCERATION
Not all those in jail are guilty. A good number are
languishing in jails and prisons because of life’s inequities
and people’s inhumanity. Some are mere victims of other
people’s greed, deceit, vengeance or their own honest be-
lief or conviction, not to mention lawyer’s incompetence.
There are those who, in defense of what was rightfully
theirs, wound up as the accused instead of the complain-
ant. Hunger, sickness and death have driven not a few of
to page 10

The Provincial Rehabilitation Commission & the

Prison Fellowship International Pilipinas, Inc., from page 1
HISTORY. The PRC program was initially inspired and initiated by an ex-prisoner, later joined in his vision by other ex-prisoners and
people who identified themselves emphatically with the prisoners’ plight. Originally started at the Negros Oriental Provincial Jail in 1973
as the Provincial Rehabilitation Commission, this program, under the continued leadership of its founder, the Rev. Joel B. Tabada,
UCCP minister, branched out to Davao City and other cities and municipalities in the Davao province as well as other parts of Mindanao
under the name Ecumenical Rehabilitation Concerns. The PRC in Negros was led later by Fr. Patrick O’connel (Redemptorist), Rev. Dr.
Guillermo Bergado, Dr. Luis Lacar, Judge Ibarra Jaculbe, Provincial Board Member Marilyn, DECS Supervisor Dorothy Flores, and Atty.
Gerardo Lituanas. Now in its 38th year of existence, the PRC has been recognized for its sustained program of prisoner care and
recently was offered by the Prison Fellowship International an affiliate membership in its international association, thus the alter name
of Prison Fellowship International Pilipinas, Inc..(PFIP) The Provincial Jail has been renamed the Negros Oriental Detention and
Rehabilitation Center.

WORKING COMMITTEES (Areas of Care): Justice, Vocational Skills, Religious Services, Family Life, Health and Hygiene, Promotions,
Social and Cultural, Financial, Academic, Post-Release Care, Recreation.

PURPOSE: The PRC is a private initiative of concerned people who sincerely believe that in participating in this kind of endeavor they are
fulfilling the mandate of their common Lord to visit and minister to prisoners. This concern is also shared by the government but as of
now it grossly lacks the logistics so that it suffices to cooperate with private initiatives to realize a rehabilitation program with prisoners.
The above-mentioned areas of care was the tangible reference as to what the PRC is doing and in fact was the program which the
authorities, especially the Board of Pardons, Probation and Parole, Integrated National Police, the Bureau of Jail Management and
Penology and the provincial Governors concerned, approved for implementation towards a rehabilitation program.

OFFICES / ADDRESSES
• Provincial Rehabilitation Commission
P.O. Box 119, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines
• Shalom Resource Center
2805 Maslog, Sibulan 6201 Negros Oriental, Philippines
• Tel. # 226-6199/ Mobile Phone # 0918-780-0296
• Website: www.pfipilipinas.net
• Email Address: pfipilipinas@gmail.com ( joeltabada@gmail.com / gracetabada@yahoo.com)

6 - Ang Hangin - Volume 1 No. 1

 Get to know...

7 January 2011

Overview:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The world’s largest and most extensive criminal justice ministry, Prison
Grace and peace to you and to the Fellowship International (PFI) is a global association of more than 100
Prison Fellowship team on the thresh-
old of this new year.
national Prison Fellowship organizations. PFI is active in every region of
the world with a network of more than 100,000 volunteers worldwide
For many of us, the past year has been
one of opportunity, adventure, chal- working for the spiritual, moral, social and physical well-being of prisoners,
lenge, and crisis. For others, it has ex-prisoners, their families and victims of crime. These national Prison
been a year of hanging on by our fin-
gernails just to keep the ministry alive. Fellowship organizations are indigenous, volunteer-based and trans-denomi-
But for all of us it has been another year national. As a non-government organization (NGO), PFI maintains Special
of grace – after all, we are a faith-based
ministry. Consultative Status with the UN Economics and Social Council (ECOSOC)
I’ve recently been reflecting on what it and is an active participant in the UN Alliance of NGOs on Crime Preven-
means for us to be a faith-based min- tion and Criminal Justice. PFI also works with national governments to
istry. It strikes me that it is not simply
about being a church-related organi- bring aid to needy prisoners. Recently, PFI partnered with the Swiss gov-
sation rather than a secular charitable ernment to distribute millions of dollars worth of medical goods and sup-
organisation; nor is it about our core
values being God centred instead of plies to prisoners around the world.
humanistic. Yet typically, the label “faith-
based” means little more than having
a religious basis or motivation for what
History:
we do. Charles Colson, former chief counsel for President Richard Nixon, formed
Being a truly faith defined organisation the first Prison Fellowship organization in the United States in 1976 after
means far more than only being spir- he was released from prison for Watergate-related charges. PFI was
itually motivated or having Christian
values. Our faith in Jesus Christ must founded in 1979 with six participating countries: the United States, Aus-
define every aspect of who we are, what tralia, Canada, England, New Zealand, and the Bahamas. PFI’s charter
we do, and how we work together. To
be centred on Jesus is to be radically membership grows each year and now includes 114 national ministries
oriented to the presence and power of worldwide.
God in everything we stand for and eve-
rything we do.
Faith is a completely different “operat-
Purpose: to bring hope and foster reconciliation in the lives of those affected by
ing system” than reason or compas- crime by sharing the love of Jesus Christ in word and deed as detailed below:
sion alone. The natural equations of
life are neither the principle nor the fash- - A ministry to prisoners: Through prison visitation, faith-based prison
ion that guides our work. Rather, to be
a faith-based organisation centred on units, in-prison church services and Bible studies, special events, litera-
Jesus Christ means that: ture distribution and libraries, radio and television broadcasts, educa-
• We work for a higher power. There tional services, sporting events, mentoring projects, and other programs,
is a higher than human power at
work in the prisons of the world and Prison Fellowship organizations work to help prisoners reach their true
in the lives of prisoners. By faith in
God, impossible prison doors are next page please
to page 8

Volume 1 No. 1 - Ang Hangin - 7

from page 7

opened, justice is served, forgive- Get to know PFI, from page 7

ness is granted, incorrigible lives
transformed, and relationships
healed. potential and eventually become productive members of their communi-
• We depend on a Creator. Nothing ties. Prison Fellowship also comes to the aid of suffering prisoners in
exists by accident or without a pur-
pose. God who made life and all
developing nations who are in need of medical care, food, clothing or
that exists is capable of making a basic supplies.
way where there is no way. By faith
in God, human limitations of time, - A ministry to ex-prisoners: Prison Fellowship organizations assist ex-
energy, resources, social conditions,
and human need are not the final prisoners with the challenges of returning to their communities through
word. The One who turned water into educational programs, mentoring, counseling, job training and half-way
wine, gave blind men sight, and fed
a multitude with a couple of fish and house residential facilities.
five small loaves is very much at work
among us. - A ministry to the children and families of prisoners: Through unique
• We live by grace. Quite simply, love programs such as Angel Tree , PF helps families cope with the incar-
is at the heart of all we do. The God ceration of a loved one. Many PF ministries also operate residential care
who loves us, who suffered cruelty
and injustice on our behalf is the facilities for the children of prisoners who would otherwise be aban-
Father of all of us. We love God and doned to the streets or forced to live in prison with their incarcerated
the world of people who are so
deeply loved by him – beyond any parent.
conditions of pedigree, tribe, religion,
behaviour, or attitude. Loving God, - A ministry that reconciles victims and offenders: PFI’s Sycamore
and loving others is our way of life. It
is the costly way of the cross that
Tree Project brings victims and offenders together for a unique dialogue
leads to resurrection. that promotes reconciliation.
To be an organisation based on faith in
Jesus Christ must make us radically dif- - A ministry of restorative justice: Through its Center for Justice and
ferent from any humanitarian or social Reconciliation, PFI promotes restorative justice, an approach to justice
organisation. I am convinced that if we
really come to understand the implica- that focuses on healing broken relationships, repairing the damage done
tions of our faith, and begin living that by crime and restoring the offender to a meaningful role in society. PFI
out in the midst of our broken, unjust
and hostile world – we will have an un-
provides information and consultation to national PF organizations, gov-
imaginable impact for good in our na- ernments, the United Nations and others.
tions.
This coming June, we will be meeting - A ministry of leadership training: PFI provides extensive training
for our ninth PF World Convocation. I and development opportunities for the leaders of national PF ministries
am hoping and praying that you will be
among those attending. In preparation through its Institute for Leadership Formation (ILF) in Singapore.
for our time together I challenge you to
think and pray about what it means to
be part of a faith-based organisation.
Offices:
Pray as well for the Convocation, that PFI operates through secretariat offices in Washington, D.C., USA, and in
our hearts and minds will be open to
Singapore, and two regional offices in Lausanne, Switzerland; and Wel-
the presence and the way of the Lord.
lington, New Zealand. PFI also contracts Regional Envoys in Argentina,
I look forward to the possibility of see-
ing you soon. In the meantime, may Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Panama and England.
God bless you and your loved ones in a
mighty way as you serve Him.
Contact:
Your brother in Christ,
Press Inquiries: Elizabeth Street Email: street@pfi.org Phone: 703-481-
0000 Website: www.pfi.org Address: PO Box 17434, Washington, D.C.
Ron Nikkel
President
20041

8 - Ang Hangin - Volume 1 No. 1

 Faith in Jail Life
Manuel I. Jarabe Jr.

M y incarceration was the most valuable experience I have so far. Not that I find it favorable,
of course it’s bitter and very painful but nevertheless I have come to learn the important
lessons this experience could possibly offer and for four years now I have come to accept and
be at peace with it.
It’s funny every time I recall my academic life when during our weekend field education to the
community I would always avert my name on the rosters for the jail ministry. Well, personally
I really didn’t like jails or prison or even prisoners. It gave me goose bumps every time I saw
or even got near a prison. I think most people do because of the bad propaganda that the media
broadcasts to the masses about prisons and the behavior of prisoners. But I have come to
experience that it is a whole different place. Most prisoners were also afraid to prisons and
prisoners before they were brought in and the system in relationship is pretty normal as that of
the outside world the only difference is that prisoners are more disciplined and more careful, if
treated nicely, of course. I believe that my stay here has been a blessing to the inmates living
here because it has opened the doors in which religious and social groups that I am connected
with have had access for the ministry and projects in this institution.
During the early part of my unfortunate experience, I faced many people and their comments.
If I sum them up, I can group them only into two parts. One part, predestination: those com-
ments from people who say about God’s plan and purpose why God placed me here. The other,
consequential: those comments that was more into the details, like, “…if you have not done
this, or done that, this would not have happened.” And every time I reflect deeper I honestly
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TESTIMONIES FROM BEHIND THE BARS

Testimonio sa Usa ka Asawa sa Binilanggo

Interviewer: Gloria Gem T. Lumayag, PRC volunteer

Interview kauban ni Mrs.Rida Cañolas, asawa ni Mr.Terry Cañolas, usa ka binilanggo nga atua sa Bureau of Correc-
tions, Muntinlupa, panahon sa pagbisita sa UCCP Amlan sa mga bilanggo sa NODRC niadtong January 8, 2011. Si Mrs.
Cañolas mao ang choir director sa ilang choir nga miawit niadtong tungora .Si Gg, 12 years old, usa ka volunteer sa
PFIP.
Gg: Ate Rida, pila na ka tuig si Kuya Terry nga nabilanggo? Sa Negros Oriental Detention and Rehabilitation
Center (NODRC) ug sa Bureau of Corrections, Muntinlupa.
Rida: Sa NODRC 4 years, unya sa Muntinlupa 11 years.
Gg: Unsa man diay ang iyang kaso ‘te?
Rida: Rape
Gg: Unya, unsa man imong pagbati sa pagdakop niya?
Rida: Actually wala to siya gidakop dayon, naa na to siya’y warrant of arrest sugod sa June 24, 1996 pero sa
Oct. 14 sya nipakita sa hearing sa Branch 38 ug gidiritso sa NODRC.
Gg: Unsa man imong gibati karon ‘te?
Rida: Nalipay ko kay daghan mang nakat-unan si Terry while naa sya sa prisohan, naka human sya ug Bachelor
of Theology, unya mao ni ang naka-paduol namo ug maayo sa Ginoo.
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Volume 1 No. 1 - Ang Hangin - 9

Faith in Jail Life, from page 9
can say that I still have a blurred picture on this aspect. I am not saying that I’m not believing them, it’s just that they are very
much at contrast with each other. I think that reconciling these two is another reflection that has yet to be told after this trial.
One important lesson I have learned is valuing the things that are important. Especially this one thing, liberty. When liberty was
taken away from me, I have learned to value the things that I have taken for granted like going to places I want to go and doing
things I want to do. In this kind of situation I was able to value the more important things in life such as family, friends, and
education which I haven’t made most out of.
Every person always goes through big trials one way or another, incarceration, death of a relative, bankruptcy, etc. The
important thing is that a person should withhold inside him/herself a good character because a person who has a good
character will always survive any problems in his/her way. A person who has a good character always finds ways to make
him/herself better in any situation he/she is in. This good character is molded and trained in the household, in the formative
years of a child. If a child has been molded and trained in a manner of love, goodness and faithfulness, the parent will be
confident that when the child grows up he will always have a tool in facing any bad situation. I can honestly say that I have
been trained in such manner because of the favors and nice treatments I have been receiving because of the attitude I have
been showing towards the authorities and towards my fellow inmates during my stay. That is why as Christians I urge
everyone to build homes in a manner of love, faithfulness and goodness where our children will be trained for the time they
face the problems of the world. That’s the only assurance we can get.

Testimonio, from page 9

Gg: Unsa’y may imong nahimo niining dugay nang panahon ingon nga asawa,
‘te?
Rida: Sa iyang pagka-tawo, ga-dasig ra gyud ko niya. Sa wa man pa sya mapriso,
wala siya magsimba kauban namo pamilya diha sa UCCP, pero sukad naadto
siya sa NODRC diha na siya nipili ug UCCP membership.
Gg: Kumusta ang inyong pamilya karon, ‘te?
Rida: Ok ra ang pamilya bisan nakaagi ug dakong trial, ang distansya ra jud ang
naka-apan karon. Unya ni samot mi ug kaduol hinuon ingon nga pamilya.
Gg: Ok ‘te, unya mao na ni ang last nga pangutana: Unsa ma’y imong pakig-
ambit sa testimonyo sa pagtuo ingon nga asawa sa bilanggo?
Rida: NAA RA GYUY PLANO ANG GINOO PARA NI TERRY UG
KANATONG TANAN. ANG GINOO MANGGIHATAGON MAN
LABINA SA PANAHON SA PANGINAHANGLAN, UNYA DILI GYUD
TA DAPAT MAWAD-AN OG PAG-LAUM.
Gg: Sige, ‘te, daghang salamat sa imong pag-estorya ug pag-share niini nga testimonyo.Bye….

What is a prisoner?, from page 6
them to commit crimes. Others accidentally injured others
or took the law into their hands out of despair, lack of coun-
sel or faith in the machinery of justice.
EFFECTS OF INCARCERATION
In prison, many inmates have to settle to a few visits
of family and friends, or none at all, due to distance and
poverty. Most often, when confronted with some needs and
problems, they have only fellow inmates to confide to, whose
advice and assistance may be wanting of wisdom. Locked
away, therefore from the free commerce of thought and
nagged by fears for their own safety and concern for their
families, they bottle up their anger and frustrations which
sooner of later can erupt into all sorts of violence and de-
struction. A stigma of the inmates, which free society con-
tinues to frown upon even if they are restored already by
the law to the status of a free person, makes it more diffi-
cult for them, if not impossible to find a decent job. Rela-
tives, friends and acquaintances dread any present and fu-
ture association with them. Law enforcement offices eas-
ily cast their suspicion of them. Families also suffer humili-
ation, deprivation of material and moral support. After re-
lease, chances are that the ex-inmate no longer enjoy their
love and respect. In short, he/she comes out morally, spir-
itually and financially dented.

10 - Ang Hangin - Volume 1 No. 1

 Welcome to Dumaguete City
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

T he City of Dumaguete is a city in the Philippine province of Negros Oriental. It is

the capital, principal seaport, and largest city of the province. According to the
2007 census, it has a population of 116,392 people. A person from Dumaguete is
called a "Dumagueteño". The city is nicknamed The City of Gentle People..
Dumaguete is referred to as a university town because of the presence of four
universities and a number of other colleges where students of the province converge
to enroll for tertiary education. The city is also a popular educational destination for
students of surrounding provinces and cities in Visayas and Mindanao. The city is
best known for Silliman University, the country's first Protestant university and the
first American private university in Asia.. There are also 12 elementary schools and 9
high schools. The city's student population is estimated at 30,000..
The city attracts a considerable number of foreign tourists, particularly Euro-
peans, because of easy ferry access from Cebu City, the availability of beach resorts
and dive sites, and the attraction of dolphin and whale watching in nearby Bais City.
The city has a domestic airport which provides daily flights to and from Manila
through Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines and thrice weekly flights to Cebu City
through Cebu Pacific.
The power source of the city comes from the geothermal power plant in
Palinpinon, Valencia. The city has redundant fiber optic lines and is a focal point for
telecommunications. It is the landing point for fiber optic cables linking it to Manila,
the capital of the Philippines, the cities south of Luzon, as well as to other major
cities in southern Philippines.

From a Death Sentence to Being Free, from page 5

relationship was “abnormal” –worker-prisoner-relationship was a violation of a Work Code of Ethics. Though difficult, we need a
lot of understanding, and inspiration that must be equally given for strength.
There is FUTURE!
My wife resigned her work with ERC in Davao City when I was transferred to the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) Muntinlupa.
She came to Manila with our child to live with my parents. While at the maximum security compound, I wish to thank Bro.
Manny Garcia of the Paaralan ng Buhay (PnB) who incorporated the para-Bible School inside prison. We’re blest to receive the
best teachings from God’s army of servants. To name one of them is Sis. Prime Quizon. They shared their time and resources.
I was one of the First Batch to graduate.
Time has Come!
“Patience is sour but the fruit is sweet”. The day came , God granted our prayers. . . I was released on Parole on May
1987. It took five years for the Supreme Court to review my case. My sentence was commuted to a Maximum of Fifteen Years
to a Minimum of Ten Years. Since I was already confined for Eleven years, I was qualified to apply for parole. The Board of
Pardons and Parole granted my request. With the help of my wife who works at the U.P Law Center, she had easy access to
submit requirements and needed communications and follow-ups.
Parole Reporting
I was religiously reporting to my Parole Officer. At this time, we were helped by Sis. Prime Quizon and family. They let
us stay at their apartment in Katipunan. I enrolled in a Bible School. I get up early in the morning at 4 o’clock to work. I was a
family driver. In the afternoon, I attend my classes at the Philippine Alliance College of Theology.
Finally, after seven (7) long years, as a working student, I finished my Bachelor of Theology in Pastoral Studies in March
1994.
Mission in PRISON
Together with my family, we continue to minister to prisons. We are forever grateful for God’s faithfulness. We have
claimed Joshua 24: 15. . . “but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (NIV) Our daughter, Camara Rhys (Reese)
finished her Bachelor of Theology in Christian Education in April 2004, at Febias College of Bible. Our son, Jero Carlo finished
his Bachelor of Theology in March 2007, graduated Magna Cum Laude, at the Philippine Alliance College of Theology. To God
be the Glory!

Volume 1 No. 1 - Ang Hangin - 11

“I was in prison and you visited me...” - Jesus (Matthew 25:36b)

12 - Ang Hangin - Volume 1 No. 1