DASMARIÑAS, Cavite — The heart-shaped decorations that recently went viral across Dasmariñas City this February carry a story far deeper than their eye-catching design. What many residents admired as festive city décor were, in fact, handcrafted by Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Dasmariñas City Jail–Male Dorm, turning a simple Valentine symbol into a powerful narrative of hope and transformation.

According to Jail Officer 1 John Benedict B. Valdeavilla, the Development Officer for Livelihood, the project was the result of years of skills training and livelihood development inside the facility. The PDLs painstakingly created each heart by hand, a process that required time, discipline, and teamwork—qualities central to rehabilitation. What emerged was not just a decorative piece, but a visible reminder that growth and creativity can exist even behind prison walls.

Each handmade heart symbolizes second chances, personal reform, and meaningful change. For the PDLs involved, the project offered more than a source of income; it provided purpose and a sense of dignity. By contributing to a public installation admired by the wider community, they were able to reconnect—symbolically and practically—with society.

The overwhelming positive reaction online has sparked conversations about how rehabilitation is perceived. Often, PDLs are seen only through the lens of their past mistakes. Yet initiatives like this challenge that narrative, showing that with guidance and opportunity, individuals can develop skills that benefit both themselves and the community.

The BJMP Dasmariñas CJ–Male Dorm has also opened doors for the public to support this livelihood initiative. Those interested in commissioning similar handcrafted items are encouraged to coordinate through the official Facebook page of the PDLs, further strengthening community involvement in rehabilitation efforts. As the city celebrates love this February, these viral hearts quietly ask a deeper question—are we ready to see rehabilitation not just as punishment served, but as creativity nurtured and second chances genuinely embraced? (Larawan mula sa: Bjmp Dasmariñas CJ-Male Dorm / Facebook)