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Rhea Bebero Caserva, fondly known as Yang or Lang in her neighborhood and as Rhea or Ate Rhea within MCI, was born on November 6, 2003, in Poblacion, Loreto, Agusan del Sur. She spent most of her childhood in Barangay Basa, Trento, Agusan del Sur. Her family frequently moved from place to place because of her father’s work, which prevented them from having a permanent home. Rhea is the youngest of six siblings and grew up in a close-knit family. Rhea is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Mindanao (UM), where she dreams of becoming a registered nurse and traveling around the world. Despite coming from a modest background, Rhea remained committed to her education. She walked long distances to school, often taking 20 to 25 minutes, and remained active in academic and extracurricular activities. Although it was tiring, her parents always reminded her that “life in the countryside is hard without a degree,” which kept her motivated to study. An introvert by nature, she preferred spending her time playing chess, studying, and helping her classmates. Mathematics and Science became her favorite subjects, and school became a place where she felt inspired, motivated, and supported. School played an important role in shaping her character, as it was where she learned, grew, and developed a strong sense of belonging. Continue reading →

Some stories are not just about where a person was born or how they grew up. Some stories are about transformation, about falling, learning, losing, and rising again. The life of Arlyn Casipe, lovingly known as “Ate Ar” in her MCI family, is one of those stories.Arlyn was born on September 21, 2001, in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat. As the youngest among five children, she grew up surrounded by the love and protection of her parents and older siblings. Life in Kalamansig was sim. She became stubborn and disobedient at times, making decisions that did not honor her family. Deep inside, she knew she was not living the life she was meant to live, but she did not know how to change. She felt lost, pressured, and unsure of her direction. In August 2020, during the height of the pandemic, a time when the world itself seemed uncertain, Arlyn entered MCI as a scholar. What seemed like a simple decision became the turning point of her life. Entering MCI was not easy for her. The transition required discipline, humility, and the willingness to accept correction. She struggled at first. There were moments of self-doubt, and emotional battles. But MCI did not give up on her. Through the guidance of her mentor Dr. Aland Mizell, she slowly began to see herself differently. She learned that her past mistakes did not define her future. One principle that deeply impacted her, taught by her mentor, was: “No matter how hard the past is, you can always begin again.” That truth became her principle. Instead of being ashamed of her past, she began to learn from it. Instead of running from responsibility, she started embracing it. MCI became her place of renewal. It reshaped her character, strengthened her discipline, and restored her confidence. She learned accountability, leadership, and service. The program did not just educate her academically; it transformed her mindset and her heart. Continue reading →

Last week, I highlighted an excellent initiative happening in the Davao area – the College Education Behind Bars (CEBB). Dr. Aland Mizell and Atty. Susan Cariaga from the Social Entrepreneurship Technology and Business Institute worked with public universities and government agencies to create the CEBB at the Davao City Jail and the Davao Prison and Penal Farm. The CEBB experience demonstrates that while justice holds individuals accountable, it must also enable them to change. It requires responsibility for misconduct but also trusts in a person’s ability to start anew.There is a champion for penal reform in the judiciary – Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Karl B. Miranda, who has dedicated himself quietly, away from the spotlight, to penal reform ever since he was with the Office of the Solicitor General. Karl Miranda and I served in the office of senator Nene Pimentel from the 11th to the 12th Congresses, often called “mga anak ni Tatay Nene” (children of Nene Pimentel), because we worked alongside him and aimed to emulate one of the few incorruptible national leaders. I was a professor at UP NCPAG, while he was on detail from the Office of the Solicitor General to the Blue Ribbon committee during this period. Continue reading →

Happy Founding Anniversary to DPPF with the strong leadership of Acting Superintendent Edgardo Flores Mendoza Jr, the officers, and Staff of DAPECOL!  Under the directorship of Director General Gregorio Catapang . Your dedication to the reformation total transformation and support SETBI College Education Behind Bars  and rehabilitation of PDLs is an inspiration. May this 2026 celebration strengthen your commitment to service and public safety.

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I hope this message finds you and your family healthy and safe. As we bring 2025 to a close , my heart is filled with deep gratitude for the shared experiences and connections that have enriched us. Every moment, every encounter, has left an indelible mark, and each individual has contributed to a collective triumph that we will cherish. The resolute determination of our PDL students, the selfless dedication of our team, the generosity of our benefactors, and the collaboration of government representatives, Bureau of Correction Leadership  have all been instrumental to the accomplishments we celebrate. Together, we have reached heights that honor God’s purpose in our lives. As we look toward 2026, I urge us to continue with the same fervor and commitment to God  that has guided us thus far.  Prisons and jails  are some of the darkest places on the earth. We are the light and we carry the Light which brings life , grace, redemtion and restoration to prisoners and their families, their children.lives can transformed by perspective, understanding, and generosity. We are seeing great cultural shift in jails and prisons accros the Philippines, and we are continuing to expand on the founder vision of restoration today. We are reframing thenational  international  conversation through ourt 4^th anunal confrences on higher education inside prison and jails, and advocation for justice system that refelct every Person’s has internal values and God’s given dignity. I believe many of tomorrow’s leaders are at the SETBI right now for a great purpose. SETBI is paving patways to tranformation, equipping the leaders, prepare community , raise a voice for justice that restores  and igniting hope I this generation of culture changers. God continues to transform the hearts and soul of men and women in programs like the SETBI/ MCI . infact , we now have more than 25 universities replicate the SETBI College Education Behind Bars in 11 regions. The numbers are encouraging, but they are not nearly as powerful as the personal stroies behind those numbers. The most of new year’s resolutions are short lived, and may of these resolutions end up being temporary chnages rather permanent changes. Our SETBI graduates, however, are quipted with life changing values that set them on a lasting trajectory with hope and purpose. Continue reading →

I HAD the privilege of joining the SETBI ‘s 4th International Conference on Persons Deprived of Liberty’s Transformative Education for Successful Re-entry in Panabo, Davao del Norte State College, held from Oct. 9 to 11, 2025.Over three days, scholars, educators, and practitioners from across the Philippines convened to discuss research, policies, and practices aimed at improving education for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), those who are incarcerated but seeking personal growth, rehabilitation, and eventual reintegration. The Social Entrepreneurship, Technology, and Business Institute (SETBI) is a non-profit organization known for initiating the first-ever College Education in the Philippines and even Southeast Asia. This program was founded by Dr. Aland David Mizell in 2016 in partnership with the University of Southeastern Philippines, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and other educational and government institutions. It became the first program in the Philippines and in Asia to offer college education inside a jail.The first campus was established in Davao City Jail, allowing PDLs to pursue formal college degrees while serving their sentences. Over the years, the program has expanded to other facilities such as the Davao Prison and Penal Farm. What makes CEBB unique is its holistic approach; it not only focuses on academic learning but also includes values formation, recovery programs, life skills, and livelihood training to help prepare PDLs for a productive life after release.During the conference, Dr. Aland Mizell shared his inspiring message about the true purpose of the College Education Behind Bars. “I think a lot of the prisons and jails in our country are designed to punish, not to rehabilitate,” Dr. Mizell shared. “When you punish somebody, there must be something about rehabilitation, second chances, and that is the true purpose of the SETBI’s college Education Behind Bars.” Continue reading →

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