By Kate Patricia Garcia

Christmas is indeed freedom, and it is free for those who have the liberty to celebrate it outside of their norms. For children, Christmas is the freedom to receive countless gifts; for students, it is their way to stay away from academic duties; and for adults, it is the most awaited temporary option to escape from systemic adulting and corporate duties.

Although Christmas is a sense of freedom, there are those who are still left out and chained, behind the bars of a four-corner room living for the hope of it all. At this female dormitory located in the province of Batangas, they have a different way of delivering the spirit of Christmas to the People Deprived of Liberty (PDL). In an exclusive interview in Tanauan City Jail Female Dormitory, JO1 Maria Angelica Marasigan, together with two inmates, Maries and Marivic, talk about their annual “Christmas Wishlist Program.”

“We, the personnel, prepare for this every year to fulfill the small wishes of our Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) and to make them feel the spirit of Christmas despite the challenges they are facing in life),” says Marasigan in Filipino.

Every year, the Tanauan City Jail Female Dormitory conducts a wishlist program for its inmates, who are asked to write down their wishes and hang them on a small Christmas tree. 

Marasigan also explains how they fulfill the wishes of each PDL based on their capacity and their own initiatives.  “We personally draw the small wishes from our PDL,” she explains. “If the wishlist exceeds the number of personnel, we also find a way to approach friends, acquaintances, and family who are willing to give or share their blessings.”

It’s been four years since the Christmas wishlist was implemented in the dormitory. The program, according to Marasigan, is also open to anyone willing to help grant any of the wishes.

“Ang ginagawa po namin is, bubunot po kaming mga personnel, then 'pag may sumobra, doon po kami hahanap ng mga sponsor, katulad po ng kaibigan po namin, pamilya po namin (What we do is that we each draw from the wishes and, in case of any excess, we look for sponsors, like our friends and family),” says the jail officer. 

Meanwhile, according to Maries and Marivic, such programs help them ease their longing for their families during the holiday season. “Masaya po. Sa tuwing darating po ang panahon ng Pasko, dahil po nararamdaman po namin yung presence ng Pasko kahit po nandirito kami malayo po sa pamilya (It’s joyful at Christmas because we feel its presence, even though we are away from our families),” muses Marivic. “Masaya po dahil sa ganitong programa mas nararamdaman namin ang himig ng Pasko (We’re happy because, through this program, we are able to feel the Christmas spirit).”

Marasigan clarifies that they do not allow any kind of monetary donations to the PDLs. The gifts are only limited to items like groceries, food, and hygiene kits. “Wala pong money involved, more on goods po. ’Yung kailangan po talaga nila dito sa loob (There is no money involved, it’s more about goods, what they really need here),” says Marasigan. 

Some PDLs, for instance, wish for something that they can give to their families once they are visited, according to the jail officer. “Some PDLs ask for things like shoes for their children or school supplies,” she explains in Tagalog. “There are occasions someone donates groceries here, and we give those directly to the PDLs, who save some of them for visiting families.”

In terms of restrictions on donations from outsiders or visitors, Marasigan says the goods must be in sachets only, and all donations must match what the PDLs need at the dormitory. 

“Willing naman po kaming tumanggap ng tulong o bigay mula sa inyo para sa ating mga PDL, lalo na po kung ito ay in goods. Like for example po ay personal hygiene kit, gatas, kape, tinapay, mga ganoon po, na talaga naman pong pangunahing pangangailangan nila dito sa loob (We are willing to accept help or donations from you for our PDLs, especially if in the form of goods. For example: personal hygiene kits, milk, coffee, bread, and other basic necessities),” says Marasigan.

For Maries and Marivic, there is no greater wish than to be freed, to have their sentence shortened, and to be home with their families. 

“Kung ako po ay mabibigyan ng mas malaki pang pagkakataon ngayong Pasko, ay gusto ko pong makauwi nang mas maaga at makapiling po ang aking pamilya (If I were given the chance this Christmas, I ‘d like to go home earlier and be with my family),” says Maries. 

If it were Marivic who gets to wish for something bigger, she would want her sentence shortened. 

The Christmas party for the female dormitory will be held on Dec. 23 where they will distribute the fulfillment of the PDLs’ wishes. Visit the official Facebook page of the Tanauan City Jail Female Dormitory if you wish to help.