In Manila, the Jesuit-run 'Resilience Program' is changing the lives of young inmates
Two groups of participants graduated after an 18-week psycho-spiritual program run by the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service Foundation (PJPS). For Teresita Tanseco-Cruz, with "One step at a time, we keep rebuilding lives.” This allows young inmates at the New Bilibid Prison, a medium-security facility in Muntinlupa, to rediscover faith and hope. “I learned to forgive myself,” said Mark, one of the participants.
Manila (AsiaNews) – The Resilience Program (RePro) is one of the latest services promoted by the Society of Jesus in the Philippines. It consists of accompanying children and young inmates in their personal growth and helping them develop the abilities to cope with difficulties.
In October, the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service Foundation (PJPS), a nonprofit organisation that provides holistic rehabilitation services to the prison community, presented the program’s second and third groups of participants with diplomas to celebrate their growth, resilience, and newfound hope as young people.
These brave young souls – children in conflict with the law and young people deprived of liberty (PDL) at the New Bilibid Prison, a medium-security facility in Muntinlupa, Manila – came together for 18 weeks of self-discovery and empowerment.
RePro is more than just a program. The Ruben M. Tanseco Center for Family Ministries (RMT-CEFAM), a Jesuit-run facility with lay partners, offers it as a life-changing experience.
It is a psycho-spiritual initiative that has become a cornerstone of the PJPS, guiding young people to discover their true selves and build resilience traits that will help them overcome life's challenges.
The graduation ceremony was not limited to certificates and applause, but was a heartfelt moment full of stories of change, strength, and renewed hope.
PJPS staff, volunteers, RePro facilitators, RMT-CEFAM members, and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) proudly witnessed the powerful transformation of the participants.
The event was full of touching stories from young people who shared their paths of growth and realisation. One of them, Mark, said, "I learned to forgive myself and accept who I am."
Dario spoke about “self-love and humility – not only did I learn it, but the Resilience Program made me feel it." For Grace, "Everybody goes through something. What I've learned is to set goals and stay calm.”
According to Jester, the program enabled them to believe in themselves and love themselves. For Toni, it was about “forgiveness and gratitude, every day. The choice is mine to make my life better."
These observations reinforce the powerful idea that the path to self-awareness and healing never ends, even within the prison walls, nurtured by faith, bravery, and the amazing support provided by the program.
Teresita Tanseco-Cruz and Maria Dolores T. Del Rosario, founders of RMT-CEFAM, spoke to the graduates.
"What I will take away from the Resilience Program is a joyful heart full of hope," said Tanseco-Cruz.
Del Rosario added that, "The program is psycho-spiritual; if we are not clinging to the Lord, it is meaningless.” What is more, "Every one of you is my inspiration."
God uses the resiliency program to introduce and interact with His cherished children. Their heartfelt testimonies reminded everyone that true change begins when one lets faith, hope, and love for oneself light one's path.
Without the commitment and dedication of PJPS employees, volunteers, facilitators, RMT-CEFAM, the Consuelo Foundation, and BuCors staff, this goal would not have been achieved.
For the young inmates, the program is a ray of hope that directs them towards a better future. This marks the start of a lifelong quest for self-discovery, not just the conclusion of a program.
"One step at a time, we keep rebuilding lives, rekindling hope, and restoring dignity," Tanseco-Cruz stated.
The PJPS is a nonprofit organisation that offers comprehensive rehabilitation to the prison population through its services to the Bureau of Corrections in Muntinlupa City.
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