In a display of creativity and resilience, the holiday season at the Northern Samar Provincial Jail (NSPJ) in Dancalan, Bobon, took on new meaning this year with the lighting of a towering 30-foot Christmas tree, handcrafted by the inmates themselves.
What might have been a simple symbol of festivity was transformed into a beacon of hope, reflection, and communal spirit that now captures the attention of both those within the prison walls and residents passing by on the national road.
The theme of this year’s display, “Pasko san Pagbag-o — Paglaum, Paghigugma, ngan Pagbinuligay” (Christmas of Change — Hope, Love, and Unity), encapsulates the heart of the initiative which is personal renewal and collective compassion in the most unlikely of places.
The tree lighting ceremony held on December 15, 2025, was led by 2nd District Congressman Edwin Ongchuan and his wife Bles Ongchuan, alongside provincial officials, jail management, and the inmates now known formally as Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs).
What makes this tree extraordinary is not only its height which is roughly equivalent to a three-story building, but the materials and craftsmanship behind it.
The structure was built entirely from recyclable materials, with ornaments and other decorations created by the hands of PDLs under ongoing skills and rehabilitation programs in the facility.
Each ornament carries a handwritten message or wish by an inmate, a poignant reminder that behind every sentence is a person with hopes and dreams for the future.
Above the tree shines a large illuminated star and the bold word “PAGLAUM” (Hope), visible even from the busy highway outside.
The display has quickly become a landmark, not merely for its spectacle, but for the deeper story it tells of transformation.
It’s a narrative embraced by the community, one that aligns with the broader Karibhungan sa Pasko, a province-wide Christmas festival promoting unity and shared purpose for all Nortehanons.
For many who witnessed the ceremony, the sight of inmates participating so actively and imaginatively in the season’s celebrations provides a powerful contrast to common perceptions of incarceration.
Vice Governor Clarence Dato, Board Members Victorio Singzon II and Lope Dorado, and other provincial leaders were among those who commended the inmates’ efforts, framing the project as part of the jail’s ongoing commitment to rehabilitation, values formation, and reintegration into society.
This activity also dovetails with a wider movement within the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) region, where PDLs engage in various crafts and skills development as part of holistic rehabilitation efforts.
From handcrafted lanterns to vocational training, these programs aim to instill discipline, creativity, and economic opportunities for inmates once they rejoin their families and communities.
In the glow of the Christmas lights, then, lies more than sparkle. It reflects human dignity, second chances, and the shared belief that even in confinement, the spirit of Christmas can shine brightly.
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