Thesis (BA Communication Arts) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, June 2015

This is a qualitative study which aimed to find out the lives, needs and concerns of female inmates of Ray of Hope Village. Incorporating the photographer?s style, the school of thought ?social realism and documentary photography, this research-production thesis explored the possibility of documenting social reality, having the limitations and constraints of the policies of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, to produce Social Realism documentary photographs. Triangulation method was employed to gather data conducting Personal Interviews to inmates, the police officer and the Regional Psychologist, Focus Group Discussion(FGD), composed of ten inmates and participant observation. The results of the interviews and FGD were transcribed and tabulated. In making the photographs, the personal style of the researcher of ensuring the use of unusual angles and vividness of the photographs in exposing true condition of a society was employed to enhance Social Realism documentary photographs. There were three stages of selection of the final photographs ? the preliminary selection, second selection and the final selection. Twenty five photographs were selected out of 2076 photographs in the conduct of four days of shoot. Simple editing of brightness and contrast, converting color photographs into black and white and cropping were done in the post processing of the photographs. The 25 selected photographs told the story through a day in a life strategy. Three exhibits dubbed as Li-li sa Kamatuoran were held which featured the story of the life, needs and concerns of the female inmates in three different locations: University of the Philippines Mindanao, Museo Dabawenyo, and Ray of Hope Village, Davao City Jail. The life of the inmates is comprised of daily activities which aim to rehabilitate and renew them. Their needs are bigger space in their cottages, a balanced meal, additional supply of water and toiletries such as shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and sanitary napkins. Their need also include clothes such as additional yellow shirt, and underwear such as brassieres and panties. Other needs they direly need are medical and dental in nature. The speedy resolution of their cases is something of their utmost concern. Based on the findings of the study, I can conclude that the life of the female inmates is a routine. Their source of strength and something they look forward to everyday is a simple as a visit from a friend or a loved one. The female inmates are still hopeful for the resolution of their cases. They are spiritually strong because of the programs on spiritual upliftment, but they want justice to be served the earliest time possible. This thesis looked beyond the bars and had a deeper understanding of the social reality of the lives of the forgotten people of the society ? the inmates and translated the social reality into a deep humanistic take on the real world ? through Social Realism photographs.