Ex-PDLs depict prison conditions through UP Law Center mural

MANILA, Philippines — A group of former inmates or persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) is hoping to inform the public about the conditions in the country’s prisons through their mural at the University of the Philippines (UP) Law Center, which was unveiled on Friday.

Joey de Leon, president of the Bagong Buhay Group of Artists (Baga), said the mural is entitled “Buyon,” which is also the name of any prison facility where PDLs can bathe as well as wash their clothes and dishes.

“Inside the prison, the use of water has a schedule. It takes only two to three hours. Only during the evening or the afternoon,” De Leon told the Inquirer in Filipino. “Inside, there is no shame. When you enter the buyon, you strip immediately, because you have to move fast.”

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Because of the limits on the use of water, PDLs often use the buyon together—all at the same time—each doing what they need to do, according to De Leon.

“It’s not normal,” he said of that prison routine, adding that this “shouldn’t be the case.”

“And then you would also do laundry there, wash the dishes there,” he said. “The public doesn’t know about this.”

‘Journey through art’

The mural was commissioned by the UP Law Class of 2001 as a “gift” to the UP Law Center. It was created by five former PDLs who are all members of Baga, including De Leon.

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The group of former PDLs-turned-artists also held an art exhibit which runs until Sept. 22 at the first floor of Bocobo Hall, the building that houses the UP Law Center.

Baga was established in 2021 as a “community” of former PDLs who were “united by their transformative journey through art.” The group has already held several exhibits in such venues as the Supreme Court and the Court of Tax Appeals as well as the National Museum of Fine Arts.

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Baga also aims to help rehabilitate PDLs through workshops at New Bilibid Prison, Correctional Institute for Women, Bureau of Corrections and other jails under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

Before his incarceration, De Leon said he did not have any painting skills. But after he was imprisoned for robbery with homicide in 1996, De Leon became friends with other PDLs who created artworks while doing time.

“That’s where I found out that there was something hidden [inside me],” he said.

‘Good aspirations’

Danilo Faustino, another former PDL and member of Baga, said learning how to paint has helped him provide for his family despite his situation.

“I’m already old, 65. Nobody will accept me. I just stay home, making artworks. At least we have something to do while at home. Because it will be difficult for us to work in any company,” he told reporters.

“Of course, there’s also a lack of trust because we’re ex-convicts,” said Faustino, who was imprisoned in 1999 for homicide and murder and released only in 2022.

By learning how to paint, Faustino said he was able to provide for his family while still in prison because they were able to sell his artworks.

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Through painting, Faustino said he was given another “chance” at life. “Even if we came from prison, we still have good aspirations [and the desire] to help,” he said. /cb