FROM MENACE TO ART. Improvised weapons and other contraband confiscated from persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) have been turned into an installation art by visual artist Pete Jimenez in this undated photo. The Bureau of Corrections on Wednesday (Nov. 8, 2023) said it is working with a non-government organization for a social reform program for art-inclined PDLs at the NBP. (Photo courtesy of the BuCor)
MANILA – More than 6,000 improvised weapons and other sharp objects seized from persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) are now part of an art work, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said Wednesday.
BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said these items "including bladed weapons, knives, homemade sharpen objects and the like" were brought to the studio of Pete Jimenez, a visual artist with a substantial body of work in the field of sculpture.
"The said pieces of metal that symbolizes violence were turned into something beautiful and very significant today which convey the message 'farms not arms'," he added in a statement.
Jimenez said his work called “art installation” is site specific.
Meanwhile, the Rotary Club of Quiapo Plaza Miranda in partnership with the BuCor is undertaking a social reform program for art-inclined PDLs at the National Bilibid Prisons (NBP).
Dubbed “Creating Hope in the New Bilibid Prison via Project Laya and Hope Creating Gallery,” the project adopts a holistic approach to identify qualified PDLs who have shown genuine desire to better themselves and provide them with an opportunity to develop a skill set that can be an asset to society.
Rotary Club president Armand Galang said one key program which they are assisting is the "Kulayan Artists of the NBP" which is composed of PDLs who have shown a desire to reform themselves and show their talents in creative arts.
Once the PDLs have served their sentence, the program will provide them assistance to allow these PDLs to integrate into the community and create works of art.
Meanwhile, Catapang also said he wants the NBP Hospital in Muntinlupa City turned into a world-class facility.
“Gusto ko maging world class ‘yang hospital na ‘yan (I want this to become a world class hospital),” Catapang said during the awarding of loyal uniformed and non-uniformed personnel held at the BuCor headquarters.
Catapang said the hospital is undergoing renovation and upgrading.
“Para sa inyo ‘yan (This is for you),” he said, noting that the hospital will be used by both retired and active BuCor personnel. (PNA)
