HOPE'S HANDBOOK
It seems serendipitous that Mateo, Artemio and Noel make candles for a living, as in and out of Bilibid, hope had been their daily enterprise. While the penitentiary has its policies, they share the rudiments of a second chance:
Be understanding. Artemio admits that even sharing meals with his fellow inmates was an eyeopener. "Marami akong nakilala mula sa ibang lugar, iba't ibang probinsya," he says. "Pagdating mo sa Bilibid, iba-iba kayo ng lengguwahe, tapos iba-ibang ugali. Kailangan mag-adjust ka sa sarili mo kasi pag hindi ka mag-adjust, wala kang magawa."
It takes more daring to say 'No'. Your first mistake should suffice as a lesson. "Madali akong matukso, tumikim ng isang beses ng bawal," he concedes. "Nakita ko na hindi pala maganda yun kasi kung hindi ako sumubok, hindi sana ako nakulong." For his good behavior inside the NBP, Dumasig was rewarded with a reduced sentence.
Learn from the mistakes of your father. Noel's dad abandoned their family when he was a child. "Nag-iisa na nga lang ako, tutularan ko pa siya," he realized at the thought of separation from his own kids.
Keep your head up. His criminal record is often perceived as a stigma, but Noel appreciates how others see it as a testament of a changed man. "Proud din ang ibang tao na naging ganito ako, hindi ako 'yung dating inaalipusta at medyo matastas na," he says. "Namulat ako sa pagkakulong ko sa tamang direksyon."
Faith is non-negotiable. It's more difficult to draw another's conviction in your change when your own belief fails. Despite the circumstances of his arrest, Mateo chooses to see himself as a good man. "Dahil sa pananam-palataya, naging matatag ako," he says.
» Guy Wisdom archive
Men's Health Philippines - August 2005 Issue
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"May lakas din pala ako ng loob, yung hindi ko nagagawa noon, nagagawa ko ngayon. Kaya ko palang tumayo sa sarili kong paa."
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