Glimpse Of Hope For The Inmates

The visit of Papal legate Cardinal Charles Maung Bo at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center was more than just a visitation but an interaction.

The famous dancing inmates were given the chance to dance before the presence of the Papal Legate at the center’s quadrangle yesterday.

They first presented their famous dance of Michael Jackson’s “They Don’t Really Care about Us” and followed by the International Eucharistic Congress theme song “Christ in Us; Our Hope of Glory”.

The cardinal said that the most moving moment of his trip in the country was watching the inmates dance with perfection under the rain.

He then shared a quote, which he read, “Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass but it is about learning to dance in the rain.”

During his message, the cardinal uplifted the spirit of the inmates by encouraging them to never give up in life.

Never Give Up

After Cardinal Charles Bo delivered his insightful message, he made his way to the dancing inmates to shake hands with them.

Lou Esguerra, who was standing towards the end of the line, was the first inmate that the cardinal shook hands with.

The 50 year-old inmate burst into tears and could not believe that he was able to embrace the cardinal, “Iya gyud ko’ng gigakos ug gihunghungan nga don’t give up and pray to Jesus always.”

He shared that he blames himself for the death of his father. Lou’s father ended his own life out of hopelessness to pursue his son’s case.

The encouragement of the cardinal to never give up in life seemed to have a big impact in Esguerra’s situation.

On the other hand, Philip Lagundo who has been in the center for six (6) years shared that the visit of the cardinal means a lot to the inmates.

“Makapadasig gyud namo every time naa mi sayaw unya naay mga bisita, ilabi na karon nga naa si Cardinal Charles Bo,” said Lagundo.

Lagundo who was detained for illegal drug pushing six (6) years ago is the detention facility’s Pastoral Council point person.

Lagundo believes that the cardinal’s visit appears to be a presentation of hope and love. He added that knowing they are part of the Papal Legate’s visit in the country,overwhelms them.

“Kami naa dinhi sulod sa prisohan nangandoy usab og kausaban sa among mga kaugalingon. Amo’ng paghinaot nga sa panahon nga makagawas kami, hangpon mi sa komunidad,” shared Lagundo.

He also said that they (inmates) aspire to have a long-term community program in the future, “hinaot nga sa among paggawas dinhi, dili dayon maputol ang mga programa alang namo hangtud kami makabarog sa among mga kaugalingon.”

Lagundo said that if given a chance to talk to the cardinal, he would ask to always include them in his prayers.

By Cris Lanie Delos Reyes