Female inmates of the Mandaue City Jail perform at the “Let’s Dance Against Drugs” concert at the Cebu City jail in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City.
(CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)
Even before her life in jail, 24-year-old Jenny Cortes was already a passionate dancer.
So when she ended up at the Mandaue City Jail female dormitory six years ago, Cortes didn’t stop dancing.
“Passion gyud na nako ang sayaw sa laya pa. Hangtod naabot ko sa prisohan, sayaw lang gihapon (Dancing has always been my passion even when I was free. Inside the prison, it still is),” she told Cebu Daily News after her performance at the Cebu City Jail on Saturday.
Cortes was among 20 female dancing inmates from the Mandaue City Jail who performed during the “Let’s Dance Against Drugs” concert held at the Cebu City jail’s female dormitory quadrangle in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City.
When she was 18 years old, Cortes was arrested for qualified trafficking, details of which she asked not to recount.
She said her predicament did not stop her from pursuing her passion and did not keep her from encouraging her fellow inmates that they, too, can dance.
“Other people say we, inmates, have no hope. But we’re just so thankful to our warden for giving us a chance to de-stress,” Cortes said in Cebuano.
‘Bratinnilaz Brigade’
Cortes’ group, Bratinnilaz Brigade, performed in the same event as other female dancing inmates from the Lapu-Lapu and Cebu City jails.
“Our name comes from the word ‘brat,’ which means someone who’s used to getting what she wants. We’re all brats. That’s why we ended up in jail,” Cortes said.
Cortes choreographed her group’s 30-minute hip-hop routine, embellished with colorful props and several costume changes.
Among the highlights of their performance was a skit emphasizing the consequences of illegal drug use, balanced with a depiction of the possibility of redemption for those who have fallen into the abyss of substance abuse.
“That hit me hard. Most of our youth today experience these things. Like us, we took for granted all the warnings we were told outside about illegal drugs,” said Cortes.
This was the recurring theme among all three groups.
A total of 70 female inmates showcased their talents during the event, 30 of which were from Cebu City while 20 were from Lapu-Lapu City.
Cortes said when she would get released from prison, she would still want to help Mandaue’s female inmates discover their talents.
Those found guilty of qualified human trafficking face up to 15 years in jail.
“We may be inside prison now, but they give us importance. They showed us that it’s not too late for us. We still have something to look forward to when we go out,” she said.
Jail Senior Insp. Stephanie Sotero, Cebu City Jail female dormitory warden, said the activity was in line with the celebration of the National Correctional Consciousness
Week and with President Rodrigo Duterte’s drive against illegal drugs.
“This was also meant to promote our respective rehabilitation programs through dancing,” she explained.
Rehab programs
Sotero said the program, which is also implemented in the city jails of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, has been very effective.
She said that inmates, especially those who used to use illegal drugs, shed off the harmful substances from their bodies through physical activities.
“They also get a diversion. Instead of dwelling on vices, they have dance as a means to turn away from drugs and other bad habits,” said Sotero.
The warden said the three participating city jails planned to offer the inmates’ talents to the public.
“We are very much willing to open to the public the talents of our inmates, so we may become a catalyst to end illegal drugs,” she said.