66 paintings of Bilibid inmates on exhibit at SC

MANILA, Philippines — Sixty-six paintings made by inmates of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) are on display at the main lobby of the Supreme Court (SC).

The art exhibit and sale dubbed “Mga Pinta ng Pag-asa Mula sa Puso ng mga PDL (persons deprived of liberty)” will run until Feb. 16, according to the SC’s Public Information Office.

The collection, the SC said, is part of the output of the NBP’s rehabilitation program.

“It covers a variety of subjects in oil and acrylic that feature expressions of the artists’ thoughts, aspirations and emotions,” the high court said.

Proceeds of the art exhibit will go to the inmate-artists who are from the Kulay Group of Artists, maximum security compound; School of Fine Arts, Education and Training Section, medium security compound, and Work and Livelihood Section, medium security compound.

Those interested in purchasing any of the paintings on display may contact the office of Associate Justice Midas Marquez at (02) 8525-713.

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo led the opening of the art exhibit.

He was joined by Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Ramon Paul Hernando, Amy Lazaro Javier, Rodil Zalameda, Ricardo Rosario, Antonio Kho Jr. and Marquez.

In a visit to the NBP last year, Gesmundo underscored the judiciary’s “unwavering commitment to support initiatives that enable inmates to address challenges, acquire new skills and lead them toward positive personal and artistic growth.”

Marquez echoed the importance of supporting rehabilitative efforts within the Philippine justice system.

Last January, Marquez, as team captain of the SC basketball team, led the Judiciary Magic Cares project to “spread joy, hope and give inspiration to the inmates and residents through sports.”

Last December, the SC held a two-day national jail decongestion summit wherein the judiciary, executive and legislative branches of government committed to solve the country’s jail congestion problem.