ILIGAN CITY (PIA) — The Iligan City Jail-Male Dormitory (ICJMD) has launched the Bob Schappert Music Studio, a facility aimed at supporting the rehabilitation of persons deprived of liberty (PDL) through music.
The studio was established through the support of Robert “Kuya Bob” Schappert, a music advocate from New York, USA.
Managed by the jail’s Welfare and Development Section, the studio will provide a space for PDLs to record original songs and covers as part of their rehabilitation process.
One of the standout stories from its music program is the band Contraband. Formed with limited equipment, the group’s song Undangi, a piece against drug abuse, became a finalist in the BIDA songwriting contest in Northern Mindanao.
With donations from Schappert, including instruments and recording equipment, the band transitioned from informal sessions to producing professionally recorded music inside the facility.
“Music is more than just entertainment, it is a source of hope. If it gave me peace in my life, I believe it can do the same for others, no matter their circumstances,” Schappert said.
ICJMD Warden Jail Chief Inspector Carmelo A. Corsame noted that the studio adds a new dimension to rehabilitation by giving PDLs a platform for expression and purpose. Iligan City Mayor Frederick Siao also lauded the initiative during the inauguration. (BJMP Iligan/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
