Arrest became fodder for jokes

NORA AUNOR had just topbilled “Bulaklak Ng City Jail.” In that critically acclaimed film, she portrayed a convict. The title was so catchy that it caught on.

Thus, when Lino Brocka and I were arrested during a transport strike, we were initially herded into Camp Karingal before we were transferred to a Quezon City jail.

Our incarceration elicited many jokes, because it was highly publicized. Soon, Lino and I were referred to as “Mga Bulaklak Ng City Jail.” The sexual practices that take place behind bars are well-known and are often fodder for jokes. In fact, during a visit, a good friend leeringly whispered to me, “Smorgasbord?”

Situation

We didn’t think he and our other friends who made fun of the situation were funny—and told them so. We were traumatized at the horrifying “prospect” of being in such a “scene”!

Upon being led in, inmates surrounded us and offered their “services,” whatever they were. The inference sent shivers up my spine! After the encounter, I told our lawyer that our lives would be in danger if we were kept in that jail.

Fortunately, he convinced the warden not to mix us with the criminals. So, over 40 of us were transferred to the warden’s very small office—which saved my life!

Unbearable noise

It didn’t save me from the noise that our codetainees made, however. In fact, after a few hours of unbearable noise, I talked to the warden who then put Lino and me in his private room, while the rest remained in the waiting area. By this time, they had taken off their rubber shoes—and the stench was unbearable!

To find some peace and quiet, I crawled under a desk to sleep. Alas, I was surrounded by old shoes with an aroma that spelled a-g-e and u-s-e!