INMATES of Baguio City Jail are signifying hope that someday, they could find freedom beyond cold bars.

At a gloomy basement room at the City Jail, Mang Danny Viduya has gone back to his monotonous task -- placing bulbs that would add life to one of so many Christmas lanterns he himself made.

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Lantern making is a trade Mang Danny has learned a decade ago, the same time he entered the stringently guarded jail walls.

Everybody is innocent inside the jail.

Like many others, he awaits finality of his case of which he maintains innocence - lost time he could have spent in freedom, in love with his family.

At his early 40s, one can only surmise he is longing for that time when he could make "parols" with his would-be grand kids; his children now of age.

Creasing his forehead, he said: "One day, I will be going home to enjoy the company of my family once again... lighting up their lives like these bulbs which I now place in these lanterns."

With obvious longing he goes back to reality and quips, "I am going to make this lantern look good like what I would have done if it were my kids' school project."

Smiling every time a bulb lights up to his satisfaction, one can only guess how he wish the day would come when he could once again experience busy city lights in the world he refers to as "outside".

Christmas is fast approaching.

Mang Danny's satisfaction is once again surpassed by a feeling that something in him is missing. And the only way he could make his presence felt by those whom he left "outside" is by hoping the lanterns he made would be sold, part of proceeds to reach his family.

Meanwhile, jail warden Rebecca Pawid said lantern making is one avenue where "Pag-asa's" meaning could be realized.

"It is the City Jail's way of giving them hope and in preparing them for a trade once their hope for freedom is realized," she said.

Every lantern from jail tells a different story.

Mang Danny can only hope that by selling one of the parols he made, his would end with "Merry Christmas."

The lanterns range from 30-pesos to 1,800-pesos. Personalized lanterns may be ordered through landline number 442-8531. (Ronnel Dimas)