BEHIND steel bars and concrete walls, devotion finds movement.
The Iloilo City District Jail (ICDJ) Male Dormitory is once again joining the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2026 through Tribu Paghilum, a non-competing contingent composed of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), marking its second consecutive year of participation in the city’s premier cultural celebration.
Jail Supt. Denver Beltran, ICDJ warden, said the initiative formally took shape in 2025 after the dormitory coordinated with the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI). However, its roots go back to 2023, when inmates began performing informally inside the jail as a personal offering to Señor Sto. Niño.
“Dinagyang time, indi kami ka-gwa, so ang mga PDL mismo ang nagpanumdom nga maghalad sang sayaw kag tambol para sa Sto. Niño. Wala pa ina formal,” Beltran recalled. “Sang 2025, nag-coordinate kami sa IFFI kun pwede sila maka-join as a non-competing tribe, recorded lang. Napasugtan kami, kag subong ika-duha na ni ka tuig.”
This year, around 60 PDLs make up Tribu Paghilum, with dancers, drummers, warriors, and hand-crafted props forming a complete Dinagyang ensemble. Beltran said the jail administration made concerted efforts to provide costumes, many of which were borrowed and refurbished through the help of supporters.
“Gin-try guid namon nga mangin kompleto ang setup — may drummer, may dancer, may warrior. Bisan hinulaman lang ang iban nga costume, ginpasalamatan guid namon ang mga nagbulig,” he said.
A key factor in sustaining the group is the presence of an inmate who has served as the tribe’s choreographer since 2025.
“Ma-swerte guid kami kay may ara kami PDL nga may background sa Dinagyang. Siya na ang naga-himo sang choreography, gani indi na kami magkuha sang choreographer sa gwa,” Beltran added.
He emphasized that the activity is part of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology’s rehabilitation program.
“Regular guid ini nga kabahin sang amon trabaho. Ini nga activities naga-promote sang good behavior kag naga-bulig sa ila emotional kag mental preparation kun magbalik na sila sa komunidad.”
Healing through movement
Sishi, a PDL and the choreographer of Tribu Paghilum, said the group was formed through collective planning among inmates, with strong support from jail officials.
“Ang pagtukod sang Tribu Paghilum indi lang akon ini. May ara kami chairman, assistant chairman, kag syempre daku guid ang bulig sang amon warden kag mga opisyales,” he said.
He explained that the name Paghilum reflects the group’s central theme — healing.
“We are PDLs with different stories, problems, and cultures. Ang tuyo guid namon amo ang healing, rehabilitation, kag paghatag sa amon sang kalipay kag kasadya bisan ari kami sa sulod.”
Drawing from his years as a Dinagyang dancer outside jail from 2009 to 2024, Sishi shared his skills and discipline with fellow inmates.
“Ang tanan ko nga learnings kag skills gin-disseminate ko sa ila. Ka-nami guid sang feedback kag epekto sa ila,” he said.
A personal offering
For many of the PDLs, joining Dinagyang is a deeply personal experience.
Amer, one of the dancers, said it was his first time to actually take part in the festival.
“Dugay ko guid gusto mag-join sang Dinagyang. Diri ko lang ini na-experience bilang isa ka PDL,” he shared. “Daku guid nga bulig ini sa akon kay nakaka-express ko sang akon talento kag nahahalad ko ini sa Señor Sto. Niño.”
He added that the activity helped ease emotional stress: “Lain guid ya kun may ginahimo ka nga nami. Amo guid ni akon forte, kag ginapasalamatan ko guid nga may amo sini nga programa.”
Another dancer, Kian, who previously joined national festivals outside jail, said Tribu Paghilum helped him reconnect with both his passion and his faith.
“Bisan ara kami sa sulod, through ini nga devotion kag sayaw, daw upod namon gihapon ang amon pamilya,” he said. “Daku guid nga pasalamat ko nga bisan nag-untat ako sang sayaw sang una, diri pa guid ako nagbalik.”
Beltran said Tribu Paghilum’s participation sends a powerful message that Dinagyang goes beyond competition.
“Ini indi lang performance. Ini paagi nga ipakita nga bisan ara sila sa sulod sang presohan, may ara sila talento, may ara sila paglaum, kag may ara sila devotion,” he said.
As Dinagyang 2026 approaches its highlights, Tribu Paghilum stands as a reminder that the festival’s spirit of faith, culture, and unity can reach — and even flourish — behind prison walls./PN
