Persons deprived of liberty as storytellers

Kuwentong may Kuwenta (Meaningful Stories) provided space for guided reading activities centered on themes of hope, acceptance, family, love, and forgiveness through chosen Filipino short stories among persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

The PDLs also wrote their own poems, made drawings, and engaged in other forms of personal expression.

Headed by Jiellian Anne Enano of the Department of Language and Literature (DLL), each session brought together PDLs and student volunteers from the Bachelor of Language and Literature Studies program. The students served as facilitators who worked directly with the PDLs.

By bringing literature into the Manila City Jail Female Dormitory, the program demonstrated that stories carry value well beyond the classroom. It was also an invitation for the PDLs to share their stories without judgment or shame.

“Unlike the characters we read about whose stories end when the ending arrives, we still can continue our own stories. Keep writing and telling stories—stories that truly matter,” said Enano.

For many of the student volunteers, the experience also reshaped their understanding of storytelling and its impact.

Student volunteer Chloe Ricafort shared that listening to the women’s stories challenged the assumptions she previously held.

“Kuwentong May Kuwenta gave me a glimpse into lives I rarely encounter. Through their storytelling, I realized that beyond the labels attached to them, they are mothers, daughters, and friends whose stories deserve to be heard—and who, like anyone else, hope for the chance to begin again,” said Ricafort.

Another volunteer, Janehd Zulueta, described the program as an eye-opening experience that revealed the power of storytelling to illuminate complex realities.

“Hearing their stories made me realize how powerful storytelling can be. Each narrative reflected struggles, resilience, and the different paths that brought them there. It opened my eyes to realities I had never truly considered,” said Zulueta.

Program Outcomes and Impact

The Kuwentong May Kuwenta program highlighted how literature and storytelling can serve as powerful tools for connection, reflection, and personal growth. Throughout the sessions, the PDL participants gradually developed a deeper appreciation for the program as they engaged with the stories they read and shared their own experiences in a supportive environment.

This three-week literary program was conducted under Project HOPE of the FEU-Community Extension Service last February.

Collection of poems written by the PDLs during the poetry writing workshop facilitated by Austere Rex Gamao.

From left: Vanessa Dayag, Janehd Zulueta, Merryl Cruz, Roseya Valdez, Jean Acosta, Christian Laolao, Austere Gamao, and Jiellian Anne Enano

From left: Rachel Santos, Jiellian Anne Enano, JM Pastores, Follah Castillo, Gab Delos Reyes, Joannah Calay, Audrey Delola, Chloe Ricafort, and Ybarro Lim)

Student and faculty volunteers showing off their Manila City Jail-Female Dormitory Pass.

From left: Rachel Santos, Jairus Subaldo, Jude Gellor, Xienina Dizon, Iya Del Pilar, Luis Rubinos, and Jiellian Anne Enano

To learn more about the Language and Literature studies program, please visit: https://www.feu.edu.ph/institute-of-arts-and-sciences/bachelor-of-arts-in-language-and-literature-studies/