Bukas Loob Tungo sa Bagong Pag-asa: A Journey of Second Chances

At a time when the challenge of reintegration remains one of the most pressing yet underserved needs in the justice system, PRESO, Inc. stepped forward with a groundbreaking initiative—Bukas Loob Tungo sa Bagong Pag-asa—a program designed to walk alongside Persons Restored of Liberty (PRLs) as they rebuild their lives with dignity, purpose, and hope. Supported by the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Foundation, the program unfolded over five transformative sessions between May and July 2025, each building on the last, and culminating in a celebration of courage, community, and possibility.

Opening the Door to Hope

The journey began on May 16, 2025, with a formal launch at the Rotary Center in Quezon City. The gathering brought together PRLs, faith leaders, community partners, and volunteers in a clear expression of PRESO’s whole-of-community approach. Keynote speaker Atty. Rene V. Sarmiento, PRESO President, set the tone: reintegration is not an afterthought but a shared mission. With motivational talks, personal testimonies, and open forums, Day 1 created a safe space for participants to share stories long left unspoken and to hear, perhaps for the first time in years, that they were not defined by their past mistakes.

Building Readiness Through Values and Skills

By Session 2, held June 13 at the Parish of the Lord of Divine Mercy, the focus turned to financial literacy—framed not simply as managing money, but as stewarding a second chance. Licensed financial advisor Jason Pilones guided participants through the basics of budgeting, saving, and distinguishing needs from wants, all rooted in gratitude and responsibility. For many, it was the first time financial planning had been linked to personal healing.

Session 3 on June 25 moved the group from financial mindset to entrepreneurial action. Entrepreneur and JCI Manila leader Carlo Capacillo led participants through hands-on business ideation workshops, showing that starting small was not a setback but a strategy. PRLs began shaping business concepts based on their skills and passions, realizing that reintegration could also mean becoming job creators.

From Stories of Struggle to Seeds of Change

On July 8, Session 4 took place inside Carcel de Manila’s Multi-Purpose Hall, home to PRESO’s BANDILA Aftercare Program. Here, criminology expert and former detainee Dr. Raymund E. Narag shared his own story of incarceration and redemption, sparking honest conversations among participants about the hardships of reentry. This was followed by further refinement of business plans, each one now carrying not just a market strategy, but a personal mission for restoration—of self, family, and community.

Celebrating Transformation

The final session on July 11 brought the group back to the Parish of the Lord of Divine Mercy. In a spirited pitch session, participants presented their livelihood proposals, complete with the 5Ps of marketing and a clear statement of purpose. These ranged from food ventures to transport services, each infused with determination to succeed.

Sr. Tammy Saberon’s formation talks, “Who Am I?” and “The Power to Change” anchored the day in the deeper work of self-discovery and healing. The program closed with a moving graduation ceremony, where Atty. Sarmiento challenged the participants to let their transformation shine as a beacon for others still finding their way out of darkness.

Lasting Impact and Future Horizons

Across the five sessions, participants gained not only technical skills in finance and entrepreneurship, but also a renewed sense of identity, dignity, and belonging. The program’s success lay in its blend of practical training, personal formation, and consistent mentoring—an approach PRESO hopes to replicate with future batches, in partnership with organizations equally committed to second chances.

Bukas Loob Tungo sa Bagong Pag-asa proved that with the right mix of opportunity, community, and faith, those once written off can rise to write new chapters of their lives. As PRESO, Inc. looks ahead, the vision remains clear: a society where restoration is not a rare gift, but a common commitment—and where open hearts lead to open doors.