A Reaction Paper on Kara David’s “Kakosa, Kaklase”: Education as the

Ultimate Weapon for the Underclass

Written by: Gracia B. Abarca of SSCI1202

Everywhere we go, there are sets of rules that need to be respected. It is what keeps the
order, peace, and fairness of the world. Some rules are written in the constitution in the form of
articles and some are found in the bible administered by the church; these are all human laws that
are enforceable. But what happens when we violate these enforced laws? What happens after the
tribunal judgment and life sentences? How does a sinner's life continue in prison? Or does it
continue at all? The documentary of Kara David entitled “Kakosa, Kaklase” is a 30-minute video
generally discussing forgiveness and cleansing of all unrighteousness through the will to change
and faith to God of various prisoners.

Moving on to the context of the video, the documentary truly hit differently than others
I've watched. As a scholar and working student, I personally know how great of an opportunity
education is and how despairing it is to miss this opportunity. Looking closely, I can clearly see
that the video's message of hope for the prisoners has an underlying implication about the
dilemmas of the poor. The main problem presented is the underclass' poor access to education
that obstructs them in acquiring basic knowledge and rights; limiting their ability to sustain and
protect themselves without their dignity being compromised. The said video leaves a bitter pang
in the gut knowing how education which I enjoyed, becomes a privilege instead of being a basic
human right.

Moreover, the documentary introduced three (3) prisoners and their stories. One of which
is Richard, a 'no read, no write' prisoner. He committed acts of lasciviousness and was sentenced
to six (6) years of imprisonment. More than Richard tattooing his name on his arms to make sure
he can never forget how to write his name, the thing that struck me the most is his alarming
answer when asked about his case. He doesn't even know what wrong he did and why he was
imprisoned. He could not even discern who was his lawyer. It is also observable that Richard has
even mental issues based on the delusions of him having a daughter who graduated and a family
nowhere to be found in reality. In the duration of Richard’s story, questions came flooding into
my mind. Is being illiterate a sin? Can ignorance be a crime? It should not be but in Richard’s
case, it is the reason why he was snatched of his freedom and life.
 Moving on, another inmate presented is named Antonio. He was sentenced to Reclusion
Perpetua or life imprisonment for a criminal act not mentioned in the documentary. And up until
now, he remains to be a model prisoner by becoming a teacher for his uneducated inmates in
hope of forgiveness. I would say I felt pity for him too, his deeds and lament words show how
he's sorry for what he's done and how he is willing to correct it in all means he is capable of.

The last to be introduced was Phillip. He is a juvenile convict who spent more than a
decade in prison for possession of drugs. Despite being young, he was sent right through the cells
for his wrongdoing. His prime years were spent secluded from society. He missed playing
outside like a child, he missed important family events, and he also failed to continue his studies
like a normal boy. Thus, I can say the documentary let us peek into a different perspective, not
focusing on the crime but the person. But in the end, Richard's ignorance, Antonio's years of
service, and Phillip’s young age can never excuse them from the laws they violated.

"Dura lex, sed lex."

1
Because as they say, the law may be harsh but it is still the law. Right to Freedom of
Conscience also states that freedom comes with respect to the moral principle of personal and
social responsibility.2 And that all are bound by the moral to have regard for the rights of others
and for the common good of all. Therefore, it is duly important that we mind our actions and
choices as our freedom comes with consequences we must bear.

In light of their reasons and efforts, one thing is clear in the documentary; their life
doesn’t end with being criminals. Although what they've done and what the law condemned
them with is irrevocable, they still have a second chance in life. I cannot help but commend the
various institutions that helped in empowering the reforming inmates. The guidance of the
government and educational institutions produced the Alternative Learning System (ALS). And
although there is still room for much improvement, it provided a quality education that helped in
equipping the inmates to live a just and sound life after their transgression. Through ALS,

1
Law and Legal Definition. US Legal.

2
Dignitatis Humane, 7
Richard can now write and read his name without needing a tattoo to remind him how to. Phillip
did not completely waste his youth and is now an honor student in secondary education. And
Antonio found solace from his sin by taking part in ALS as a teacher. It warmed my heart as I
see this as a part of reaching out of our society to those who are in prison. It clearly displays a
message that no matter the circumstance, eventually, with much effort to learn from the incidents
and correct the wrongdoings, one will be able to contribute to the community and to nation-
building. And whether they are, or they are not the scourges, plagues, or pestilences the
stereotyping of our society tagged them to be it is in their own accord to draw what they truly
are. In the end, they are our countrymen who made mistakes but still have the very rights for a
decorous life.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Particularly if they acknowledged to themselves and most especially to God what they did
wrong, take the responsibility of their actions and take the lessons taught by their circumstances
wholeheartedly.

In relation to this, our churches hand in the matter is also of great help. While the
aforementioned responses enhance and tend their physical and mental capabilities, the church
helped the prisoners spiritually. They are the ones who etched the words of God in the minds and
hearts of the prisoners. The pastors and priests helped in instilling the courage to move forward
and hope that there are still things waiting across their bridges that are worth living for. And the
way to cross the bridge is through reflection and reconnection to God.

After contemplation, I can now see a larger perspective of the dilemmas of the poor. It
isn't just rooted in one problem. The crimes are interconnected to poverty – and lack of education
contributes to both crime and poverty. Thus, I cannot help but see the importance of education
when it comes to designing primary help programs to keep crime rates falling – especially for
youth offenders. The figures published by the Prison Reform Trust defends this claim as it shows
that 51% of the total prisoners they have surveyed have the literacy skills of an 11-year-old and
42% have records of permanent school exclusion.3 Additionally, one in five children in the
custody of the said correctional has learning difficulties. Knowing this, I suggest that we
strengthen our education system as it is one of the optimal solutions to crime and poverty.
Through this, we can prevent incidents like Richard's and Phillip's.

Furthermore, Richard’s mental issue enables me to see the need for not just physical care
but also mental care. And I admit that we do not have enough resources for mental care for each
inmate as of now, as their number keeps piling up, but the documentary showed me how a
simple compassion and empathy helped the prisoners in surviving mentally. The guards and
handlers in correctional institutions can be trained to make use of psychological strategy like the
Pygmalion Effect in dealing with prisoners. This psychological phenomenon can be explained
simply: If someone believes in something himself, eventually it will come true. 4 With the
support, kindness, and positive belief towards the inmates of handlers, one eventually will be
driven to exhibit greater and better attitude and performance.

Moreover, I see the need for more practical teachings and attitude-fixing lessons more
than conceptual learning. ALS and correctional institutions can partner with the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and other similar institutions. In doing
so, personal assessment can help in deciding tracts to be taken in TESDA. These can tidy them
up for a decent job after the transgression.

Lastly, my last suggestion is addressed to my fellow countrymen. Let us stop the

stereotype that vindicates the sinners to be sinners for their whole life and give credit to them
when it is duly needed.

‘’Whatever does not proceed from faith is SIN.’’ Romans 14:23

Let us all keep our judgments enlightened by our faith – to God and to the fact that God made
every person to his image. Thus, man is naturally good 5; they may commit mistakes, but they are

3
Team, E. UK Resources Blog, 2016.
4
Lee, K. 6 Psychological Effects That Affect How Our Brains Tick, 2016.
5
JJ Rousseau. Emile, or on Education.
capable of changing. Let us strive not only to be law-abiding citizens but people with a clean and
sound conscience that encourages others to be like so – as conscience guides a person towards
his personal calling in the context of God’s plan of creation.6

To pack everything up, this documentary made me realize the problems of our
countrymen we seemed to put in the back of our heads. And on my own little thing, I promise to
help by valuing the opportunity to study that I have. And prove that I am worthy of it by striving
to be a professional who seeks both excellence and moral soundness. And when I am an adult
with the means of assisting in the matter, I will aid in building a society where education is not a
privilege anymore but a weapon, weapon that prevents people to succumb in doing illegal things
to survive, a weapon which can defend themselves from injustice. It is one of the personal
reasons why I plan to take law after finishing medical school and passing the National Medical
Admission Test. As ideal as it may seem, I dream of not only being a contributor to nation-
building but to a moral and fair society that looks beyond social class.

6
CCC 1777.
Bibliography
Catholic Church. (1977). Catechism of the Catholic Church. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice
Vaticana

Law and Legal Definition. (n.d.). Retrieved from US Legal:

https://definitions.uslegal.com/d/dura-lex-sed-lex/

Lee, K. (2016, March 19). 6 Psychological Effects That Affect How Our Brains Tick. Retrieved
from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/03/mental-heath-inmates

Rousseau, J-J. (1991) Emile, or on Education. New York: Penguin

Stringer, H. (n.d.). Improving Mental Health for Inmates. Retrieved from APA Organization:
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/03/mental-heath-inmates

Team, E. (2016, October 27). Retrieved from UK Resources Blog: https://www.capita-

one.co.uk/resources/blog/exploring-link-between-poor-educational-outcomes-and-youth-
crime