JULY 1ST, 2008
By TESS UADAN
In April 2008, NPMP ED Tessie Uadan concluded the Faithsearch Discovery Series with 11 inmates and one religious volunteer officer. Faithsearch Discovery Series (FDS) is one of five programs under the Restoring the Personhood Module (RPM) being designed by the executive director. It is an apologetic material by Dr. Don Bierle. The breakthrough program of RPM is the Sycamore Tree Project (STP). Other programs include Lead Like Jesus (LLJ) of the Center for Faithwalk Leadership, Spokesman’s Club of the Worldwide Church of God and the Kairos Course of Living Spring International. There are more than 20 inmates who have completed STP, LLJ and FDS at various times in the last two years. The Spokesman’s Club that gives the inmate an opportunity to speak his mind in an organized structure may have ten graduates by August this year. Only the Kairos Course, which is about cross-cultural advance of the kingdom of God, remains to be inaugurated within the walls of maximum security of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Help us bring up this cause to God our Father through Christ Jesus. We need a portable DVD player to be used for the Kairos sessions. We also need financial assistance for the cost of materials required for each participant, about Php 350/pax, as well as transportation fares for volunteers and snacks. Kairos Course is a nine-session program.
MAY 6TH, 2008
By TESS UADAN
I have not written for quite sometime. There were personal challenges and giants in my mind that the Lord our God has helped me hit … not with one stone, though. One by one he showed me the giants and the defenses (stones) he has made available for my ‘sling’.
One of these challenges happen to be in the popular area of funding. Being who God is, I just bask on his promised rest. That was all I needed, the rest is his story.
To God through Christ Jesus the maximum glory!
MARCH 17TH, 2008
By ADMINISTRATOR
The revamp of the NPMP (main) site is now complete! We hope that you like the new look.
The launch of the ‘new’ site also coincides with the February/March 2008 edition.
Should you have any problems viewing or navigating the site, please let us know by contacting us or emailing webadminATnationalprisonministriesph.org.
MARCH 6TH, 2008
By ADMINISTRATOR
You have been re-directed here because we are giving our online presence a new look. During this time, the main site will be unavailable. Please bear with us.
Your understanding is greatly appreciated! Thank you.
NOVEMBER 16TH, 2007
By TESS UADAN
Some notes on the start of a spokesman’s club initiated I initiated with the Glory to the Lord Fellowship of the Worldwide Church of God to residents of maximum security compound at the New Bilibid Prison:
Sales, first speaker, spent the first seven years of his incarceration without visitor. He said he did not mind because he knew already at that time that Jesus was his only visitor. He is on his 20th year, his wife had died. He used to be hanging around Manila North Harbor to earn his keeps and also for his family. He seems to have no anxiety for life outside prison. He must have truly found his freedom in Jesus Christ.
Argie had to be brought to the Philippine General Hospital for surgical procedure on his stomach some years ago. A religious volunteer officer took care of his hospital bills which amounted to P32,000 (about US$744). He told that during his early years in jails and at the New Bilibid Prison he had abused the confidence of religious volunteer officers who had given him funds to be distributed among his fellow inmates. He feels he needs to be above reproach now because of the name of Jesus Christ.
Doming used to be a good boy, he said, until he became a member of the police force. He seems to be better off than his fellow inmates because he does not complain about financial hardship even inside prison. His story is that of extra marital affairs, even right inside prison. He is involved with his nth woman who is 15 years his junior. His children by his first wife (who is now living abroad) told him that they would just take care of his funeral when the time comes.
These were just some of their stories and how they came to know the Lord Jesus Christ. I wept with them, considering that they tried their best to come up stage in their best attire for their
speeches. One even borrowed a pair of shoes. But how does one help revive a lost soul?
The 12-lesson Spokesman’s Club is a program of the Worldwide Church of God to help its members to organize their speeches and know how to evaluate speakers. Every member shall have a chance to be a speaker, an evaluator, a topics master and a toastmaster. Overall, the goal is development of the total personality of members. Perhaps here is one area where inmates may be led to regain their souls.
OCTOBER 16TH, 2007
By TESS UADAN
On the seventy four Bureau of Jail Management and Penology National Capital Region Office paralegal and inmates welfare development personnel commendations, the regional director Senior Superintendent Serafin Barretto, Jr. was the one who issued them (commendations). The National Prison Ministries Phils. Inc. executive director was invited to jointly award with RD-NCRO the said commendations. Our apologies for the inadvertent misinformation.
JULY 27TH, 2007
By TESS UADAN
Yes, you read it right. Pasig City Jail was hailed yesterday, July 26, 2007 at the management meeting of the National Capital Region Office of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. The meeting was held right at Pasig City Jail which ended until late in the evening.
Congratulations, Col. Nestor Velasquez, Sir!
JULY 27TH, 2007
By TESS UADAN
The Lead Like Jesus program of the Center for Faithwalk Leadership conducted to participants of Sycamore Tree Project at the maximum security compound of New Bilibid Prison drew to a close on July 4, 2007.
It was a very touching moment when participants washed the feet of fellow inmate participant and prayed for their particular need. There was also a limited supply of water (this is being rationed to inmates); hence, the same water was used again to another. Even the hand towel was lacking. I had to give up my personal hand towel because they were taking turns in using just one available hand towel.
I was inspired by the Holy Spirit to translate into Pilipino the Lead Like Jesus retreat format. The translated version was effective in bringing the message to the participants.
What a marvelous closure to the relationship laden Sycamore Tree Project!
JULY 27TH, 2007
By TESS UADAN
The programs launched by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) at Manila City Jail and Pasig City Jail last June 23 and 25, respectively, drew to a close today, July 27, 2007. We serviced with Sycamore Tree Project the male and female dorms of both jails. It also paved the way for BJMP personnel to participate as interns/victims.
Last Tuesday, July 24th, the celebration was highlighted with tree planting by the warden of the female dorm and the deputy warden of the male dorm of Manila City Jail. There was no local sycamore tree available. Instead, we used a local fruit-bearing “Atis” seedling. More of this on the special July edition of the NPMP newsletter.
Thank you, Lord.
JUNE 30TH, 2007
By TESS UADAN
Last week, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology began to launch at designated jails within National Capital Region (NCR) Prison Fellowship International’s Restorative Justice model, Sycamore Tree Project. This is a joint project of the Inmates Welfare Department, headed by Fr. Bart Sagadal, and Paralegal, by Atty. Roy Valenzuela of the NCR Legal Department.
One of the designated jails is Pasig City Jail. Upon entrance inside the jail, I immediately noticed that the facility is clean. I did not smell any odor usually present in close confines (such as jails). After I was presented to the warden, Col. Nestor Velasquez Sr., he showed me the innovations he has introduced since he has assumed the post six months earlier. At once, I asked for his approval to feature Pasig City Jail. I knew I have to let the world know that we have a clean jail managed by a developmental minded warden.
More on this will appear on the next edition of our online magazine, National Prison Ministries Phils.
