MANILA, Philippines?This party had some pretty tight security. Try maximum security, for that matter.
There is nothing like a captive audience if you are into performance. So when you stage a big event in the New Bilibid Maximum Security Prison, you are sure to get some attention.
My friend Nyx Martinez and her family pooled resources and friends together to help hundreds of inmates enjoy a variety show which included rock music, jazz, performance poetry, theater arts, and even a fashion show!
The difference with this concert was?besides this show being in the Maximum Security Prison?that the performers were mostly inmates themselves, featuring the Living AcademY of Arts, or *LAYA* Project volunteers and students.
Lit up on stage at a covered gym inside the compound, the ?*LAYA!?Freedom Within!?* Concert opened with inmate rock band The Freesons, backed up by talented inmate dance groups The Megamix Dancers and The Vikings. Guest performers included LoveCore, Classified Odds, Nityalila, Chat Uy, Chris Martinez, Miko Pepito, Io Calumpang, Gio Respall, PJ Gurnamal, Ricky Quiogue, Puey Quinones, Melvin Mojica, and the Martinez Sisters.
The LAYA Project will be encouraging the works of students, who, though incarcerated and serving years in prison, have put their time and talents to good use. ?Laya? is the term prisoners call those on the outside?the free ones.
In these pictures, you see that all true artists?jailed or not?have got to first free themselves on the *inside*.
Just ask those who have been volunteering for the LAYA Project (I teach the arts/photography sessions). It?s a lot of fun, not to mention fulfilling. Besides, when else can you say to your drinking buddies, ?I just got out of prison? and yeah, I?ll be back in again on Tuesday.?
(Note: ?LAYA!?Freedom Within!?,* is in collaboration with the Bureau of Corrections? Rehabilitation Programs, supported by BOC director Gen. Ricardo Dapat, PSIV Juanito Leopando, and PS01 Danilo Dador. It was initiated by Mike A. and Warren Z., volunteers from Lamb of God Foundation and KAKUSA. LAYA?s on-going workshops are being conducted by volunteers from Our Life Outreach, www.ourlifefoundation.wordpress.com For more info, contact nyxmartinez@gmail.com or 0915 881 2478.)
