Fixing the broken pieces of oneself is the most challenging thing to do. Judgments or even discrimination try to hinder humans will to change. One automatically thinks that when someone is released from jail, he is a bad person. This has been the stigma of many people even before. The darker side of the past is most likely acknowledged. Oftentimes, people close their minds to the idea that an ex-detainee cannot change into a better individual. People should rather see the beauty out in the darkest place.
A man who was committed for almost four years at San Juan City Jail. A father who was about to give up but suddenly step out of hopelessness and continue fighting, Mr. Jefferson Falcon. He is a 40 years old former PDL residing at Paete, Laguna but was originally from Infanta Quezon. He was living with his in-laws together with his children before. Apart from this, his wife passed away before his commitment to jail. He left his two siblings to his in-laws for their welfare. Imagining how miserable his life was when he lost his wife and committed to jail. This caused so much pain to him. A feeling of sorrow and hopelessness dominates his emotions. His world turned into a non-stop road of darkness where no one to hold on to. He lost his hope and array of motivation from being in that situation. The grieving period had been crucial for him. He almost wished to end his life due to countless challenges. He locked himself in sadness and despair. He almost forgot that he has children waiting for him. Until one day, a miraculous event happened. During his stay inside the jail, his friend invited him to join such religious activities. At first, he was hesitant to participate, but later on, he realized that it was his calling. It is God’s will to wake him from being harsh to himself. It seems that God is telling him to hold on a bit longer. This is a sign that no one is left behind, no matter how serious his guilt is. On other hand, he diverted his interest into activities like Bible studies to increase his faith. He even provokes his fellow detainees to come with him. Throughout his stay in jail, sharing the words of God has been his passion. It brought him the realization in like to keep stronger than before. It is a sense of empowering himself that he’s worthy of a second chance. He had been the SK or Sambayanang Kristiyano president, one of the organizations that he joined. However, before his graduation, he was given a contact number from HLAF for assistance after his release. Then, he contacted HLAF and joined the FRED program. He attended webinar sessions that helped him to fight temptations from doing ungood things. He commended how HLAF enlightened him in such a way that shaped him into a resilient man. He truly absorbed the lessons he have learned from these sessions which led him to believe in himself. HLAF had been a room for development in the sense of changing his view in life and enhancing his skills at the same time. FRED program also offers activities such as livelihood as their source of income. Upon relating to Mr. Jeff’s experience, he learned how to cook sauces for street foods, empanada making, and some other more. These were just basic recipes for them to start over again. Well, it was already his nature to cook knowing that he use to do it ever since his childhood. On the other hand, having the chance to start a new chapter isn’t that easy. More often, criticisms of other people burden a person’s goal. Combating with their opinion is nonsense. Faith and compassion is the key to keeping going in life. Many people will try to cross the line and pull him down. Fortunately, he has a positive outlook on life from all of his experiences. Religious activities behind bars and HLAF programs rescued him from despair. Additionally, HLAF gave him a sort of livelihood to begin his life after bars. Surprisingly, there have been people who sent him assistance when he was released from jail. Those kinds of people were admiring that they offered open arms to helpless people. Thus, Mr. Jeff came up with selling meriendas like lumpia, Maja Blanca, and others with his son around their area. He was able to earn even a small amount but it didn’t take long for him to sell. Luckily, in less than two months, he have been hired to work at Event Management Group. A relative recommended him to apply and fortunately, he was qualified. This was a blessing in disguise for him. He didn’t expect that there would still be a job that will accept him despite what he had been through. So he made sure to perform well at work and prove himself. Afterward, he became the Marketing Coordinator for almost two years and continues to work until now. He was able to support the financial needs of his children. He sustainably gives the necessities of his loved ones. He instead gave the livelihood paraphernalia from HLAF to his relative since they are much in need and he is capable to work already. In this sense, he proved that he can be a blessing to other people. HLAF also helped to make his desire into reality. They taught him how to be good to others.
As a result, he is now on good terms for having a full-time job. Hence, determination and dedication have been his driving force to continuously change for the better. And with all that being said, he was very grateful to the organizations that he took part in such as Religious groups and the FRED program of HLAF for playing an important role in his life-changing moment. He highlighted that if he, would be given a chance to visit the jail, he would love to share his experiences and lessons learned towards the PDL to give them a sense of encouragement that they should increase their faith and believe in themselves no matter what. A positive outlook should be present at all times. It is not the jail that will darken their lives, but the positivity that must lighten the view of people towards them.
