July 14, 2011, Muntinlupa City

Club Sec. Minda Santillan, RC Alabang Lampara

The Rotary Club of Alabang Lampara (RCAL), under the leadership of Changemaker President (CMP) Eduardo “Edd” Santillan, aptly began the new Rotary Year 2011-2011 with a signature project dubbed HOPE (Help, Outreach for Prisoners’ Education), an art workshop for the inmates of Muntinlupa City Jail, held last July 8, 2011.  It was conducted with the support of the members of RCAL’s Rotary Community Corps and its sponsored Interact and Rotaract clubs.

Mr. Fernando B. Sena, a renowned artist and art teacher, was the guest lecturer of the worskhop that was attended by 50 inmates, 10 BJMP staff and a few others. D3830 Assistant Governor Tom Syquia was present and further encouraged the RCALians to carry on with its mission.  RCAL members in attendance were Pres. Edd, CP Danny Abinoja, AG Mar Castillo, Director Sim Dayrit, Club Sec. Minda Santillan, RCC President Edwin Santos, and Interact/Rotaract representatives.

The activity started earlier than scheduled because the BJMP Head has to leave for an urgent commitment.  The opening prayer was led by an inmate who surprised everyone with his fluent English and a prayer that can be felt coming from the heart.  The singing of the Philippine National Anthem followed.  Jail Warden Fermin Enriquez delivered the welcome remarks followed by CMP Edd’s brief message where he emphasized the importance of learning art and how it will help them psychologically, emotionally and financially in the future.  CS Minda corroborated CMP Edd’s message and introduced the guest teacher, Fernando Sena.  The emcee was Jail Officer 1 Marife Go, who also joined the workshop, together with Inspector Marlon D. Barrun.

Why teach inmates art or painting?  Aside from the potential income that gives them “HOPE” for a better future, art offers many intangible benefits.  It helps one to have focus, patience and determination to finish one’s work.  Painting quiets the spirit and an effective psychological outlet to fight depression, boredom and loneliness.  Some studies even suggest that exposure to colors through artistic painting helps heal pain and anger caused by bad life experiences and increases one’s self-esteem.  Finishing a painting makes an artist feel the joy of fulfilment for accomplishing something good and beautiful.  As many get excited to receive a gift of an artwork, what more would the feeling be if you were its artist?  Such is the unexplained feeling of pleasure one gets from doing art or even simply appreciating it.

Mr. Sena taught the inmates how to sketch still life objects and some basic portraiture through various demonstrations.  He also taught the principles of the color wheel and its application through watercolor techniques.  In between lectures, he also gave some valuable thoughts about love for the environment, faith in God, and doing good deeds and worthwhile things during their stay in jail, such as painting, which they can make good use of once they rejoin society.

Sec. Minda, Dir. Sim and Mr. Sena’s staff distributed sketch pads, pencils, pencil sharpeners, oslo papers, watercolors, illustration boards, plastic cups and paper plates (for painting purposes), paint brushes and rags.  Giving more meaning to the mission, Mr. Sena was kind enough to donate the watercolors and pencils while CMP Edd and CS Minda donated the other art materials, including the McDonald pack lunch boxes, and covered for other expenses.

Although first-timers in art, the inmates produced amazing works that day.  The finished paintings will be picked up by CMP Edd after a week to be sold to friends and the proceeds of which will be given back to the “artists” to support them financially.  The participants decided to form an Art Club inside Muntinlupa City Jail and even planned to elect their own set of officers.  Mr. Sena delivered the closing remarks while the closing prayer was recited by an inmate.  Thereafter, everyone posed for some group photos for posterity.

The RCALians left completely fulfilled and brought home with them the glowing smiles and hopeful spirits of the inmates.  Indeed, the HOPE Project has given hope to those who need it most, and lives up to RI President Kalyan Banerjee’s “Reach Within to Embrace Humanity” theme for RY 2011-2012.