At first glance, this group of dancing men may seem to be real tribe warriors.
They demonstrate agility, energy, and creative concept expected to outplay the competing dance tribes of the Dinagyang Festival.
But did you know that the group is composed of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Iloilo City District Jail Male Dormitory?
“Every year, the Iloilo City District Jail Male Dormitory na mga PDLnagsasagawa ng sadsad (merrymaking), sumasayaw sila dito. Pero ngayon lang na-formalize kung saan nakipag-ugnayan tayo sa IFFI [Iloilo Festivals Federation, Inc.] upang mabigyan rin sila ng acknowledgment at ma-recognize rin ang kanilang effort,” said Jail Officer 1 Jerous Labrador, officer in charge of the facility's Community Relation Service.
Serving time in jail has never been a hindrance to the motivation of PDLs in offering a performance that would showcase their talent and skills. The participants said that dancing as a form of veneration to the Señor Santo Niño is a devotion and a promise that no prison bars have the power to impede.
“As part rin ng mantra ng BJMP [Bureau of Jail Management and Penology], ang developmental and rehabilitation ng ating mga PDL, binibigyan natin sila nga pagkakataon na ipagdiwang ang Dinagyang. Kasi ang Dinagyang, hindi limited sa outside but it trespasses inside,” JO1 Labrador underscored.
Alias “Sishi,” a choreographer, who used to be a member of a tribal contingent in the Dinagyang Festival, is elated at the blessed chance to dance again for the Santo Niño as an offering, albeit virtual.
“We celebrate devotion kay Señor Santo Niño which is culture na natin dito sa Iloilo. It’s a yearly event, mismo dito sa dorm sini-celebrate rin natin,” Sishi shared.
Another PDL, alias “CJ,” was once a tribe warrior before he was incarcerated in the said facility.
He said that it is good to dance to drive away boredom.
“Iwas sa buryong (boredom) sa loob at sa lahat nang problema na pinagdaanan sa labas. Inilalabas sa pamamagitan ng pagsasayaw,” CJ said.
The BJMP has mulled on spearheading a dance competition in the jail facility in time for the Dinagyang Festival in 2026.
As for the virtual performance of the PDLs, Labrador said that it will be streamed on the social media pages of the Iloilo City District Jail Male Dormitory and the BJMP.