VISITING the Davao City Female Jail in Ma-a, Davao City was a whole new experience for me. When I went inside the jail, I thought it was the same as what I see in TV series or movies that female detainees are tough- looking people who aren't nice to the people around.
But my perception changed when I was introduced by Jail Senior Inspector Rovie Ann Alcantara to a detainee named “Mae” to have a tour with her of what's in the female jail.
Seeing the cottages in different colors changed my perception about female detainees right away because I also saw them doing their activities and chores and that made me think that there were a lot of good things that are still happening inside the perimeters of the jail.
I saw some of them painting, making handicrafts such as bags, and some of them also cook. Listening to their stories made me strong as a person because they gave me a reason to embrace my flaws and previous mistakes and to never give up on the trials of life that pulls us down.
It also made me realize that they are no different with us because at the end of the day we all commit things or mistakes that brought us to the consequences and made us suffer. The only thing that we can do for ourselves is to stand up, learn from those mistakes, and move on because that’s how life works.