Session 1: Nandito Ako Nagsisimula
- aanicolas9
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Every New Beginning Starts with the Courage to Hope
On June 20, 2026, the Our Lady of Grace Chapel at the Reception and Diagnostic Center of New Bilibid Prison became more than just a place of gathering. It became a sacred space where forty Persons Deprived of Liberty took their first courageous step toward healing, acceptance, and hope through the Bagito Bagong Landas Program.
The first session, Nandito Ako Nagsisimula, reminded everyone that every journey of transformation begins with a single decision to face one's reality with honesty and courage. While prison walls often tell stories of mistakes and brokenness, this session invited the participants to discover that their story does not end there.
Together, they reflected on three important invitations.
First, Pagtanggap at Paghilom. How do we accept where we are today and begin the process of healing? Acceptance is never about giving up. It is about recognizing the truth with humility and allowing grace to open the door toward a better future.
Second, Pagbangon at Paglago. How can we find meaning in our experiences and allow them to shape us into better people? Every life carries pain, but every life also carries the possibility of growth when we choose to learn rather than lose hope.
Third, Muling Pagyakap sa Buhay. How do we continue strengthening one another as we walk this new path together? Hope becomes even more powerful when it is shared within a community that listens without judgment and believes in second chances.
One of the most meaningful moments of the session was the Life Map activity. Participants revisited their life stories from childhood until the present. They were not asked to relive their past to condemn themselves, but to understand their journey with honesty and compassion. By looking back, they began to recognize not only the decisions that brought them to prison but also the strengths, dreams, and values that continue to live within them.
As each participant shared their story, something beautiful unfolded. They found a safe space where their voices were heard without criticism or shame. They listened to one another with empathy, discovering that healing often begins when someone simply says, "I hear you. You are not alone."
The session also became a celebration of generosity through the continuing presence of the Loaves and Fish Foundation, whose shared meal reminded everyone that compassion is expressed not only through words but also through acts of love and care. A simple meal became a powerful sign that there are people outside the prison walls who continue to believe in their capacity for change.
At PJPS, we believe that every person possesses an inherent dignity that no mistake can erase. Transformation is possible when people are given opportunities to heal, reflect, and rediscover hope. Every conversation, every activity, and every act of kindness becomes another seed planted for a future filled with renewed purpose.
This first session is only the beginning. The road ahead may not always be easy, but every step taken with hope brings each participant closer to becoming the person God continually calls them to be.
Together, we can continue opening doors to healing, restoration, and new beginnings.
Your generosity helps us continue providing formation programs, psychosocial support, spiritual accompaniment, and opportunities that restore dignity and hope to Persons Deprived of Liberty. Every gift becomes part of someone's journey toward transformation.
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