DAPECOL: God’s Hidden Family

Holy Family Sunday, a group of kindhearted people coming from Tacurong and Manila chose to visit the PDLs of DAPECOL Correctional Institute for Women in Mindanao (CIW-MIN) to bring them the joys of Christmas that most of us take for granted here outside prison walls. There are more than 550 female PDLs in CIW: they are somebody’s mothers, wives, grandmothers, sisters or daughters. They are a part of someone’s family yet they have been hidden from them. Some are very young, still on the verge of what could have been a colorful, exciting life but is now convicted to be spent in labor within the correctional for life. They, too, have families they hoped to see this Christmas.

They were so happy to be visited by our group composed of Xavier Alpasa, Virgie Garcia and Patrick Trinidad (from Manila); Fr. Tony Basilio SJ, of ADDU; Maribeth Sandig, Miguel Sandig and the staff of Sandig Medical Clinic and Hospital from Tacurong City. Fr. Tony celebrated the holy mass after which the PDLs entertained the group with a short program showcasing their showbiz talents. Ms. Virgie Garcia facilitated the parlor games and gave generous prizes to the winners. All of the PDLs each received a gift from the group. A sumptuous fiesta-like lunch buffet was served to all PDLs and BUCOR CIW-MIN personnel. Food was sponsored by Ms. Maribeth Sandig and lovingly prepared by her and her hospital staff together with Lito, Elvie and Marian of DAPMin.

Suffice it to say that the party brought the PDLs and the visitors to tears specially during the group singing of “We wish you a merry Christmas” which was sung very softly with feelings and “Give Love on Christmas Day.” It was learned from our conversation with some PDLs that so far no other group has visited them and gave a “pangkalahatan” party where everyone is invited, including those who are visitorless.

Ms. Beth Sandig started this Christmas outreach to CIW-MIN PDLs in 2014, together with Sr. Claire Suarez, sspc, who is now based in Iloilo City. Today’s group has promised to come back and make this Christmas activity a yearly affair. This event was made possible through the approval and assistance of CIW-MIN Warden CTI Elsa Alabado and her staff, and Ma’am Amor Divina Camina. (Marian Carmela V. Raquel | DAPMIN)