A total of 40 paintings of the Marikina City Jail-Male Dormitory inmates are currently on display at the 22nd National Association of Dental Traders, Inc. (NADTI) Trade Exhibit at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said on Thursday, Sept. 22.

Marikina City Jail warden Chief Inspector Jayrex Joseph Bustinera noted that the exhibit of the artworks of the persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) was made possible through the collaboration and partnership with the non-profit group Obra Maestra Art and Culture Incorporation.

Aside from the PDL paintings, the exhibit also features the artworks of 27 other aspiring artists.

The proceeds of the three-day art exhibit which runs from Sept. 20 to 22 will go to the PDL artists of Marikina City Jail – Male Dormitory that will benefit their families and loved ones outside.

Bustinera shared that the painting behind bars started as an art therapy program for the PDL of Marikina City Jail.

“Actually, yung mga PDL artists naman natin, hindi naman yan mga artist talaga sa labas, dito (jail) na lang nila nadiscover. Magagaling pala (our PDL are not really artists before, their talents were only discovered inside the jail. They are really good),’’ Bustinera said.

He added that Obra Maestra had conducted a two-month portraiture and painting workshop to more than 20 PDL of the Marikina City Jail to further hone their talents and skills in painting.

"The workshop was conducted for seven weeks with Mr. Celvic Villacorta of Paint It Forward and former student of UP Baguio," Bustinera noted.

Bustinera said that the art kits used were provided to all the participants for free.

“For two months, once a week silang (Obra Maestra) nagcoconduct ng painting session sa mga PDL. And then last month, nakagraduate na sila (PDL) (Obra Maestra had conducted painting sessions for the PDLs. The PDLs graduated last month),’’ Bustinera said.

At present, PDL artists of Marikina City Jail have started accepting commissioned artworks for the personnel and visitors of the jail facility.

“Naging source of livelihood na ng ilan sa aming mga PDL ang pagpipinta. Katunayan, tumatanggap na rin sila ng mga order, gaya ng portrait para sa mga empleyado at mga dalaw (A number of our PDL have made painting as a source of their livelihood. They are now accepting orders like portraits for the employees and jail visitors),’’ he shared.

Meanwhile, BJMP chief Director Allan Iral expressed full support to the program, saying that this kind of activity is not only an opportunity to showcase the talents and skills of PDL but also a way to boost their self-esteem amid incarceration.

“As partners for change, we want to offer these artists the opportunity to see their value as individuals and ultimately, to contribute to the programs of the Jail Bureau,” Iral said.

Iral also urged the public to support and patronize PDL products in the market.

“Hinihikayat ko ang ating mga kababayan na patuloy na suportahan at tangkilikin ang mga produkto ng ating mga PDL (I am encouraging our fellowmen to continue supporting and patronizing the products of our PDL),’’ he added.

In this way, Iral pointed out that the public can help the PDLs develop their sense of value “na sa kabila ng kanilang sitwasyon, may kabuluhan pa rin ang kanilang mga likha ( that despite their situation, there is still value in their creation).’’ (Chito A. Chavez)