MJSIR

Mountain Journal of Science

and Interdisciplinary Research
PRINT ISSN: 2619-7855
ONLINE ISSN: 2651-7744
January-June 2019 • 79 (1) : 62-71

Living Outside the Bars: Lived Experiences

of Family Members of Offenders in Baguio
and Benguet, Philippines
Kreanjel Lei B. Guinto1*, Chelsea Mae G. Kim1, Guerly Joy L. Bab-ating1, and Lawrence C. Caranto2

1 – Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Benguet State University

2 – College of Nursing, Benguet State University
* - corresponding author, email address: [email protected]

Abstract

This study was conducted to explore the lived experiences of

family members of offenders to provide insight and develop an
effective and appropriate intervention in dealing with them, which
in turn could help enhance family care in the nursing practice. The
phenomenological type of descriptive qualitative research design
was applied in this study. Data were gathered from five (5) family
members of offenders in Baguio City and Benguet from January
19, 2018 to March 6, 2018 using triangulation method.
Observation and individual interviews were employed with the
KEYWORDS participants. To analyze the data gathered, Colaizzi’s Seven Steps
of Phenomenology was applied. The major findings are: (1) the
stigma incarceration was kept secret momentarily to underage family
crime members; (2) the participants presented their own perspectives
offender on the offender and whether they expected the crime to happen or
incarceration not; (3) the incident affected their relationships within the family
family members and others; and (4) the participants showed positive attitudes
towards coping like acceptance and moving on. Based on the
findings, the following conclusions were derived: (1) incarceration
is deemed negative by society which prompted the hiding of the
incident from the children; (2) incarceration can happen to anyone
regardless of stature in life (3) stigma is truly present in the society
which affects a person’s relationship with others, including his
family; and (4) a person is able to adapt to changes caused by
dramatic events and move on with the help of external support
and positive thinking.

Introduction or omission that violates Republic Act No. 3815,

or the Revised Penal Code, and can be termed as
Crime is defined as an act or omission offense (Robles, 1998). When a person becomes an
forbidden by law that can be punished by offender, his family members are directly affected.
imprisonment or fine (Gottfredson & Hirschi, This study aimed to explore the lived experiences
1990). In the Philippines, it is defined as an act of the offender’s family members before, during,
Living Outside the Bars ... Guinto et al. 63

and after the incident which may have greatly society. This is one of the things that these
affected their lives. offenders and their families often go through. The
spouse, parent, child, or sibling of a prisoner may
The society is truly in the midst of a crime wave not experience stigma directly until they reveal the
and has always been a major concern. A total of incarcerated relatives’ status to a child’s teacher or
584,809 crimes were recorded by the Philippine to a prospective landlord or until the family moves
National Police (PNP) in the country in 2016 to a prison town (Fishman, 1990; Koenig, 1985
(Kyodo News, 2017), and less than 1%, specifically as cited by Hairston, 2001). Stigma negatively
0.44% of these crimes were recorded in the affects individuals as well as the entire family (Park,
Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). 2013). Stigma could also lead to maladaptive
behaviors and poor mental health, which can be a
Offender is the term used to the person who predisposing factor for the family members of the
committed a crime, or violated the Revised Penal offender to commit another crime (Inzlicht et al.,
Code (Robles, 1998). It could be any individual 2011 as cited by Moore et al., 2016). This research
who is charged with, or convicted of, any criminal aimed to explore the experiences of family members
offense, may it be a youth offender or a juvenile when their own relative has become the perpetrator
offender (US Legal Inc., 2016). These crimes could of a violent crime, and how stigma affects a person’s
lead into a serious type of offense. perception of himself, his feelings, and his thoughts.

Crimes against persons, a crime category Most past research works have studied the
under Title 3 of Criminal Code of the Philippines experiences of crime offenders, including the
may include involving harm, against personal factors that have led them to do so, however,
liberty and security, or involving marriage. Crimes little is known from the point of view of family
affecting life and involving harm, as stated in members. Moreover, most of these research works
Chapter 1, Title 3, of the Criminal Code of the are outdated since these studies were in the late
Philippines, are crimes that induce harm or force 1990’s, or early 2000’s. An example of this is the
to the victim through violence (Robles, 1998). This study of Hairston (2001) who concluded that
is often classified as the most serious type of a social investment in prisoners’ families and
offense. Examples of this crime include homicide, children will require the adoption of more
murder, abortion, reckless conduct causing death, positive views of prisoners’ families and family
rape, molestation, physical assault, and reckless relationships, better understanding of family
conduct causing injuries. In year 2016, there were needs and societal responses, and dedicated
139,462 crimes against persons recorded in the attention to changing the prevailing system
Philippines which accounted to around one-fifth of responses. To contribute to the understanding on
the total crimes in the country. When one or more this topic where little is known and knowledge is
of these serious crimes are committed by someone, outdated, this study was conducted.
it usually leads to incarceration from which his
family members are directly affected (Bureau of Jail This study concentrated on the perceptions
Management and Penology [BJMP], 2017). of the family members of an offender,
primarily focusing on their experiences before,
Incarceration, as defined by Oxford Living during and after the situation that caused
Dictionaries (2017), is the state of being changes in their lives. It is imperative in nursing
confined in prison. As of January 31, 2017, there care to have knowledge on these matters to be able
are 131,923 prisoners in the Philippines. to address their problems physically, emotionally,
The National Capital Region (NCR) has socially, and psychologically.
the highest jail population with a total
of 31,043 offenders, while CAR has the third least This would also contribute in gaining more
number of offenders at 1,274 (BJMP, 2017). information and concepts which will be essential
in providing individualized nursing interventions
Often times, people downgrade the family of and will let us understand their emotions.
the offender. Social stigma, as defined by Your Moreover, it will provide new knowledge to the
Dictionary (2017), is the social disapproval nursing education, specifically psychiatric nursing.
of a person on the grounds of a particularly With the determination and understanding of the
characteristic that distinguishes them from perceptions and experiences of family members
 64 MOUNTAIN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH • JANUARY- JUNE 2019 • 79 (1)

of offenders, untoward changes in their behavior the time of the incident, may it be during the
may be avoided, and their self-esteem and self- commission of the crime, or the time of arrest.
perception may be improved. Furthermore, this These inclusion criteria were used to consider
will provide information that will be useful to participants that have different experiences.
other people in our society by influencing the
perception of the community on the families of Exclusion criteria were also considered. These
offenders if their experiences are shared to the included family members who are related to the
public, thus addressing social stigma. It is hoped offender only by law. Another is blood relatives
that this study will contribute an updated and who are not currently living in the aforementioned
wider knowledge regarding this topic in the society locale of the study.
and in the nursing profession.
Data Collection Procedure

As humans were involved as participants, the

study followed strict ethical principles. Participants
Methodology consent were sought and were assured that
the information they provided will not be used
Descriptive phenomenology design was against them. Their right to confidentiality and
employed in gathering and analyzing information anonymity was maintained by assigning numbers
about the experiences of family members of and erasing the names that were attached.
incarcerated individuals who committed violent Pseudonyms were used as an alternative to their
crimes. Phenomenology seeks to understand the names. The data gathered were guarded against
phenomenon of a lived experience, where there unauthorized access.
is an essence to a shared experience. Husserl’s
philosophy of phenomenology was used to Personal interviews were conducted to explore
describe and explore the lived experiences of family responses of participants and gather in-depth
members in the context of individuals who information. Similar sets of structured and
committed felony as uncensored, and pure unstructured questions were used to each family
phenomena. Further, the philosophy emphasizes on member. Unstructured interview was employed
the description of human experiences. first followed by structured interview. We probed
over their answers and asked additional questions if
Population and Locale of the Study necessary.

The study was conducted in Baguio City Questions were formulated prior to the
and Benguet for its accessibility and evident interview. The researchers played a neutral role
connection between the chosen study and the focus. and acted casual and friendly, but did not insert
Population involved are the family members of any opinion during the interview.
convicted offenders.
The method used to establish trustworthiness
Network sampling was utilized in selecting was adopted from Lincoln and Guba (1985),
participants. Network sampling is an ideal Krefting (1991) and Mouton (2001). Credibility,
method when rare populations of interest are to dependability, confirmability, and transferability
be included (Lavrakas, 2008). We identified were ensured.
participants through social connections and
networks. Treatment of Data

Selected participants are the adult and minor There was an immediate debriefing for the
family members of the convicted offenders. They participants after each interview by the observer.
are related to the offenders by blood, or could be Debriefing notes were prepared and included
the intimate partner of the offender and are comments about the focus group process and the
currently residing in Baguio City and Benguet. significance of the data. Audio recorded interviews
An intimate partner of the offender could be a wife were transcribed into context.
or husband, married or not, or a live-in partner.
They lived in the same area as the offender during Colaizzi’s (1978) seven steps of Phenomenology
Living Outside the Bars ... Guinto et al. 65

was applied to analyze the data collected from the Supporting alibis. An alibi is a claim that
interview. The descriptive data analysis method you cannot be guilty of a crime because you were
promotes trustworthiness, reliability and generality. somewhere else when it happened (Merriam-
To maintain rigor and trustworthiness of the Webster Dictionary, 2018). We often think of it as
research process, transcripts generated from an excuse to escape something, like that of an
the personal interviews were read and reviewed event or a crime. Alibis in this theme refers to the
three times. offenders’ attitude and behavior as perceived by
their family members. They serve as the witnesses
testifying for them.
Results and Discussion “Caring, responsible Dad isuna. Responsible ta
isuna ti kalla tinmakder nga father ko idi adda ak
“Living outside the bars” is derived from the idiyay Alab nga nag-iskwela.” – Ganda (He is a
phrase “living behind bars” which people would caring, responsible Dad. Responsible because he
often say to a person who has been incarcerated was the one who stood as my father when I was at
and is serving his time in prison. Because this Alab.) (35-37)
study is subjected to the family members of the
offender, we used the opposite term to describe the Ganda is the niece of Dakim who murdered
phenomenon. someone because of excessive jealousy. She is
a 17-year-old Grade 12 student residing at La
The results of the study and its implication Trinidad. She also said that he did not only care
is graphically presented as an opened handcuff for his children, but also for his nieces and
(Figure 1). Handcuffs are stereotypical of crime nephews (78-79, 85-86). He is a cheerful person
and criminal offenders. The opened cuff means the who knows his nieces and nephews’ favorite
future. stuffs, she said (38-50).

Interrogation of the Witnesses “Nakitak nga mayat ti attitude ken ugali ni uncle.
Awan ti bisyo na, haan met nga agsigarilyo ken
We labeled this broad domain as the ag-inom. Mayat ti relasyon na ken an-anak na ken
‘Interrogation of the Witnesses’ since it dakami nga kaanakan na.” – Mayari (I saw his good
encompasses the experiences of the participants attitude and personality. He has no vices, he does
with the offender prior to the incident, and before not smoke and drink. He has good relations with
the knowledge of the crime committed. This his children and also to us, his nieces and
encloses the themes, ‘Supporting Alibis’ and nephews.) (176-179)
‘Detention of Truth’.
Mayari is the younger sister of Kidlat, and
the cousin of Ganda. She is a 19-year-old college
student currently living with her brother.

Detention of truth. Why do people lie?

Why do people often hide the truth? There are
many reasons why we choose not to tell the truth
and perhaps the most obvious reason is that
we wanted to avoid hurting others (Raouna,
2015). We wanted to detain the truth from our
family members, friends and others thinking
that the truth may cause them pain. Detention is
the act of detaining or holding back someone,
especially in custody (Merriam-Webster Dictionary,
2018). Some children did not know that their
parents are imprisoned because relatives would
reason out that they are working, or having a
vacation (Hairston, 2001). In this theme
Figure 1. Concept map of living outside the bars: ‘Detention of Truth’ , the truth detained is the
'lived experiences of family members of offenders crime that the offenders committed.
 66 MOUNTAIN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH • JANUARY- JUNE 2019 • 79 (1)

“Before, ‘di ko pa alam na nakulong siya pero they learned of the crime their family member
nakakahalata na ako noong Grade 5 na ako.” – Lakas committed. “When an objection is overruled, it
(Before, I did not know that he is imprisoned but I means that the evidence is properly admitted to
started to take notice when I was in Grade 5.) (1-2) the court, and the trial can proceed (FindLaw,
2018),” which only means that the objection is
Lakas is the son of Agos who committed murder not accepted. Therefore, overruling of objections
under the influence of alcohol. The truth was only in this study would refer to the rejected objections
revealed to him during his elementary graduation of the participants.
(8-9).
“Ada ti tawag nga inmay ken ni mamak ket
Indictment of Beliefs kuna na nga kastuy ti inaramid ni manong ko.
Sobra nga proud ni mamak kanyana ngem within
‘Indictment of Beliefs’ refers to the statements one day ket ‘Boom!’ pati shak ket naapektaran.
of the respondents expressing their disbeliefs upon Ti panangkitak ken ni uncle ko ket haan na
knowledge of the incident. Two themes were put maaramid diyay. Sapay kuma ta haan nangyari
under this broad domain which are ‘Presentation daytuy, nga dream lang kuma.” – Ganda (A call
of Evidence’ and ‘Overruled Objections’. came for my mother and she said that, ‘This
is what my brother did.’ She was so proud
Presentation of evidence. Evidence in this of him but within one day ‘Boom!’, I was also
sense is related to the accounts of the participants affected. Based on my perception of my uncle,
with regards to the offender’s behavior before he cannot do that. I hoped that this did not
the incident that may have led to the offender happen- that it was just a dream). (51-55, 59-
committing the crime. There are many risk factors 62)
influencing criminal behavior such as family
issues, psychological or mental characteristics, Ganda shared to us her mother’s sorrow and
peer influences, and socioeconomic status (Regis denial about her uncle Dakim’s action. She told us
University, 2018). how her mother cried, and how this affected her
(62-64). She also talked about her grandmother,
“Before nga inyat na di ket ammuk nga and how this incident would always be their topic
nagugulo di toktok na. Kinarkarit di kakabsat (70-72).
ni asawa na suna, et si duy din nanrugian di
depression na. Adi na na-handle din sitwasyon, Every participant shared to us their disbeliefs
ket siguro naalan di kabusor ti panunot na.” – when they received the news of their relative’s
Lila (Before he committed the crime, I knew crime. Their faces were filled with sadness as they
that his mind was in a mess. When he was told their stories. Avoiding any eye contact, they
being provoked by the siblings of his wife, his narrated their own version of their experiences,
depression started. He was not able to handle expressing their feelings while remaining strong.
the situation, and maybe the evil got into his
mind.) (132-141) Court of Relationships

“Palainom na si Papa noon pa. Pero ‘yong time The broad domain, ‘Court of Relationships’
lang na ‘yon ‘yong nakita kong galit siya na kaya relates to the respondents’ intrapersonal and
niyang makipag-away. Kasi pag umiinom naman interpersonal relationships, from their families
siya hindi namin siya nakikitang ganon. Tapos to the outside world. The court, or a court house,
paminsan-minsan din lang siya umuuwi kasi is a place where legal cases are heard (Merriam-
busy siya sa trabaho niya.” – Lakas (My father Webster Dictionary, 2018). Offenders and their
often drinks even before. But that was the families experience a tremendous sense of loss on
only time I saw him angry- that he was capable emotional and social aspect when incarceration
of fighting with others because every time he occurs (Hairston, 2001). It is a court of
drinks, we never saw him like that. And he relationships since it tests the affinity of the
only comes home occasionally because he was participants with the offender, their relatives,
busy from work.) (285-289) friends, and others. It encompasses three themes,
namely ‘Trial of Trust’, ‘Jury of Outsiders’ and
Overruled objections. Objections in this ‘Affidavit of Repentance’.
theme refer to the participants’ disbelief when
Living Outside the Bars ... Guinto et al. 67

Trial of trust. We labeled this theme as the Handcuffs of amity. Handcuffs of amity are
‘Trial of Trust’ to emphasize the doubts, conflicts either friendships that secure the family member
and firmness of the relationships of the participants and someone close together, or restrains that forbid
with the people they trust. Two subthemes were the family member to build a relationship with
formed from the participants’ statements. These another person.
are ‘Shackles of Kinship’ and ‘Handcuffs of Amity’.
Restrained conversations. This subcategory
Shackles of kinship. This subtheme reflects contains the experiences of family members who,
the struggles of the participants with their after the incident, built barriers in building
family members, including the offender, after the relationships with other people because of the
traumatic incident. Hairston (2001) concluded stigma.
that the impact of incarceration on families has
been conceptualized as a form of family crises “Damdamagek ti sarilik anya ngata ikastak
(Fishman, 1990), loss and demoralization nga mangsungbat kenyada ta bumabainak ta
(Schneller, 1976) and victimization of children ti panangkita da kanyak ket the same met lang
(Bloom & Steinhart, 1993). idiyay inkastan ni uncle ko. Anya ngata ikastak
nga ag-approach ti daduma nga tattao ta kalla
Chains of doubt. Shackles are connected hushusgahan da kami gapu idiyay nga incident?”
together by a series of metallic rings we – Ganda (I always wonder how I should
commonly call as ‘chains’. Doubt is the uncertainty answer them because I feel shy since their
about something, whether to believe or not perception of me might be the same as what
(Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2018). When my uncle did. How should I approach other
the shackles of kinship are chained with doubt, people when it feels like they are judging
the family is put to a harder test of trust. This us due to that incident?) (202-208)
subcategory would then enclose the doubts of
the respondents toward their family members, While Ganda was saying this, her face turned
including the offender. red and she started to cry while looking at the
window.
“Ti panang-ammuk ken ni uncle ko ket haan
na maaramid diyay, though we don’t know nu Unlocked hands of interaction. This subcategory
anya ti adda idiyay mind ti maysa nga tao. Idi contains the experiences of family members who,
hearing na, uray kayat mi nga kitan ket narigat after the incident, took the opportunity to build
ta madi mi masukatan diyay panangkita mi relationships with other people.
kenyana, di respect mi. Haan mi kayat nga
mabahidan ti pangit.” – Ganda (From what “Naging friendly ako lalo. Parang mas naging close
I know of my uncle, he cannot do such act, ako sa mga kaibigan ko. Noon, hindi ako masyadong
though we don’t really know what is in lumalabas. Hindi parang ngayon na halos araw-araw
the mind of a person. During his hearing, sila nakikita ko.” – Lakas (I became friendlier, like I
although we wanted to see him, it was became closer to my friends. In the past, I did not go
tough because we didn’t want to change our out often. Unlike today where almost every day, they
perspective and respect for him. We didn’t are the ones I see.) (190, 291-292)
want it to be stained with an ugly image.) (56-
57, 64-68) While Lakas was verbalizing this, he smiled and
further explained that he built more relationships
Keys of support. Providing support is essential through taekwondo trainings and competitions,
when someone is in the abyss of struggles and and in school (191-192). He found the support
loneliness. Relating this to our study, support that he was missing from his family.
serves as a key in letting a person be free from the
shackles and chains that restrain him. Jury of outsiders. This theme is labeled as
jury of outsiders because of what the respondents
“My uncles and aunts gave me advices like experienced with the stigma they felt from other
‘Whatever happens, your schooling should not be people after the incident. Nevertheless, there is
affected, you should still continue your studies’.” social stigma among them from many aspects of
– Mayari (234-235) the society (Hairston, 2001). This theme has three
 68 MOUNTAIN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH • JANUARY- JUNE 2019 • 79 (1)

subthemes which are ‘The Censorious Critics’, ‘The Affidavit of Repentance. Repentance is
Vengeful Eyes’ and ‘The Unchanging Companions’. the action or process of repenting especially for
misdeeds or moral shortcomings (Merriam-
The censorious critics. This subtheme Webster Dictionary, 2018. The theme,
contains experiences of participants with people ‘Affidavit of Repentance’, showcases the
who judged them and their family, and let them statements of regret and the testimony of trauma
feel isolated. that the offenders shared to their family members.

“Ag-ibagbaga da ti dakes kanyami. Inbaga da Statement of regret. This subtheme contains

nga binayadan mi kanu diyay abogado tapnu bumaba statements of regret that the offender said to the
diyay kaso ni uncle ko. Kunan pay ti daduma nga ‘Uy, participants and how the participants reacted to it.
adawian tako ta baka iyat na metlang diyay inkastan
ni uncle na.” – Ganda (They are saying bad things “Makitam idiyay rupa na nga permi babawi na.
against us. They said that we paid the attorney so Apan na pabasbasulen din awak na.” – Lila (You can
that my uncle’s penalties will be lowered. Others see on his face that he is in deep regret. He goes
would even say, ‘Hey, let’s get away from her. on blaming himself.) (159-161)
She might do the same thing that her uncle did.’)
(241-251) “Nakita ko ‘yong pagsisisi niya at kagustuhang
bumawi sa amin.” – Lakas (I saw his feeling of regret
Ganda mentioned that it was her classmates and his desire to make it up to us.) (33-34)
who were avoiding her when they found out
about the offense of her family member (252). Lakas mentioned that every time his father
would call, he would notice that his father was
The vengeful eyes. This subtheme contains having a hard time but he doesn’t want to show
experiences of respondents who received threats it (19-21). While Lakas explained this, there was
from the victim’s family. This expresses the fear a long pause, then he looked down and started to
the respondents felt after the incident. sob.

“Idi nangyari diyay ket adu ti buteng ko nga Testimony of trauma. This subtheme contains
agbales da kanyami. Mabuteng kami ta dakami ti testimonies of the offender, and the fear that they
kakaaruban ti kakasinsin diyay biktima ket narigat ta experienced inside the prison because of the crime
baka agbales da, isu gamin ti ibagbaga da.” – Ganda that they committed.
(When that happened, I had a lot of fears that they
would seek revenge on us. We were afraid because “Idi every week ay um-umay kami yan nan tauli di
we are the neighbors of the victim’s cousins and nemnem na ya. Nu nantauli nemnem na, makisa-on.
it was difficult because they might seek revenge Ngem nu namaga panunot na, tumatalna ken sabali
because it is what they were saying.) (198-202) damdamagen na.” – Lila (That time when we visited
him every week, his sanity came back. When his
Ganda further explained that she doesn’t know sanity comes back, he interacts. But when it is
how to face the people around her because she is gone, he would keep quiet and will ask different
afraid that they would seek revenge on her family. things) (154-160)
(216-217)
Lila said that in the prison, no one was helping
The unchanging companions. This subtheme him. He would not talk to anyone. When they
encompasses the people who did not change their visited him after a long time, he asked them why
perspective of the offenders’ family members. they only came that time (151-154). This is why,
even if she was busy, she visited him every week.
“Hindi naman umiba ‘yong tingin nila sa akin. She said that every time they visit, he would be
Sinabihan nila ako na mag-aral ako ng mabuti. very happy as if nothing happened. He would
Minotivate nila ako.” – Lakas (Their perspective of even request for his favorite food to be cooked.
me did not change. They advised me to study She expressed her joy each time she sees him like
well. They motivated me.) (238-240) that (165-168, 173-175).
Living Outside the Bars ... Guinto et al. 69

Imprisoned Aspirations Lakas shared that every time he sees other

people with their fathers or parents, he would feel
‘Imprisoned Aspirations’, as a broad domain, sad because he cannot be with his own father (213-
encloses the dreams of the respondents that were 215). As he said this, he looked down and prevented
trapped after the incident that changed their lives. eye contact from us, not wanting to show his
We included two themes under this domain which eyes welled-up with tears.
are ‘Locked-up Dreams’ and ‘Jailed Hopes and
Wishes’. “Nu ap-apan di agew ket ma-miss ko isuna.”
– Ganda (As the days pass by, I miss him.) (266-267)
Locked-up dreams. This theme then reflects
the changes in the student participants’ education Ganda said that she was not able to spend time
and the hindrances that they faced after the with her uncle for a long time. There was a time
incident that imprisoned their parents and when she saw her uncle, but they only got together
guardians. for a few minutes. This happened four years ago
when she was in Grade 8 (86-91).
“Natuto ako na magbisyo at hindi na ako nag-aral
ng maayos.” – Lakas (I learned to do vices and I Verdict of Tomorrow
started not to study well.) (27)
We labeled this domain as the ‘Verdict of
Lakas mentioned that before he knew of what Tomorrow’ to present how the respondents
happened, his performance in school was great, perceive their future and their positive attitude
that he was able to focus on it (283). However, he towards coping up. Acceptance is one of the top
started coming home late, smoking and drinking needs of an offender’s family (Prison Fellowship
alcoholic beverages when he found out that his Organization, 2018). The verdict serves as reality for
father was in prison (193-194). He stated earlier the family members who have been left to continue
that he lacked support from his family. Thus, he with life and accept that the incident happened.
started doing vices.
“Ngem kanan adi en, ‘In all the things, there’s
“Kapag kinakausap ako ni Papa, sinasabihan a reason.’ There’s a way met lang nga makaruwar
niya ako na ayusin ko buhay ko kasi hindi niya ginawa isdi.” – Lila (But as one would say, ‘In all the
iyon dati.” – Lakas (When my father talks to me, he things, there’s a reason.’ There’s a way for him to
would tell me to fix my life because he did not do be released from there.) (171-173)
it in the past.) (24-26)
Lila told us that she cannot cope up completely
Lakas stated that it took two years before they yet until the pain that her family felt would be
were able to visit his father (22-23). Upon saying relieved (278-279). She also asked herself why
this, he turned to his side and wiped his tears. He something like this happened to their family.
continued to sob and he avoided eye contact from Although she said this, she puts her faith and
us. trust in God that everything will be alright.
She would always pray to Him and rely on Him
Jailed hopes and wishes. Once the (167-169, 209-211).
offenders are put to jail, the family members
would no longer be able to be with them daily, “Ginawa kong motivation na kapag
like how they used to be. They would no longer be lumabas na siya, ako na ‘yong susuporta sa
able to see them in the morning, nor before sleep. kanya, ako ‘yong babawi. Tinanggap ko na
Therefore, it is normal for the family members lang ‘yong nangyari kay Papa kahit ang hirap
to miss their jailed loved ones (Wildeman, mag-adjust. Nahirapan akong mag-adjust
2009). Their hopes and wishes to be with their kasi wala na si Papa na sumusuporta sa akin.
loved ones are "jailed". Wala akong ginawa, kasi wala rin naman
akong magagawa eh.” – Lakas (I made it as a
“Hinihintay ko na sana bukas, paggising ko, nasa motivation that by the time he gets released,
tabi ko na siya.” – Lakas (I am waiting that tomorrow, I will be the one to support him, I will
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accepted what happened to my father even
 70 MOUNTAIN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH • JANUARY- JUNE 2019 • 79 (1)

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