Justice Lopez Opens Art Exhibit of Former PDLs at Valenzuela City Hall of Justice
October 07, 2025
Supreme Court Associate Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez (right) cuts the ceremonial ribbon at Art Exhibit 2025 on September 23, 2025, at the Valenzuela City Hall of Justice. The exhibit showcased the artworks of former persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and other PDLs. (Photo courtesy of Branch 107, Metropolitan Trial Court, Valenzuela City).
Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez led the opening of Art Exhibition 2025 on September 23, 2025, at the Valenzuela City Hall of Justice. The exhibit featured artworks by the Bagong Buhay Group of Artists (BAGA), an art collective organized by former persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) along with other PDLs.
The exhibit ran from September 23 to 29, 2025, and was held at the Regional Trial Court Lobby inside the Hall of Justice.
Speaking to court employees during the event, Justice Lopez highlighted the power of art to inspire change. He said, “art is the language of hope,” and emphasized how it can help restore dignity and transform lives.
Justice Lopez shared that art gives former PDLs “an avenue to transform their pain into beauty while reclaiming their life stories.” He added that art has “always been society’s honest language,” one that connects people through shared experiences.
Supreme Court Associate Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez delivers his message during the Art Exhibit 2025 on September 23, 2025, at the Valenzuela City Hall of Justice. The exhibit showcased the artworks of former persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and other PDLs. (Photo courtesy of Branch 107, Metropolitan Trial Court, Valenzuela City)
He also said the exhibit “represents the artistic expression present in every individual and embodies the profound truth that redemption speaks through many voices — and today, it speaks through color, form, and vision.”
Justice Lopez further explained,
“The art exhibition affirms a fundamental belief: that dignity is never lost, only dormant, waiting for the right moment to emerge. Every painting displayed here represents a journey from darkness toward light, from isolation toward connection, from despair toward hope.”
The event was organized by the Valenzuela City Judges Association to celebrate creativity and second chances. Justice Lopez expressed hope that the artworks would inspire continued support for programs that recognize the artist, the contributor, and the valuable community member.
The SC has long supported BAGA by hosting exhibits and sales of arts and crafts created by PDLs and BAGA members.
Artworks from the exhibit are still available for purchase through BAGA’s official Facebook page. (Press release courtesy of the SC Office of the Spokesperson)
Artworks of former persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and other PDLs displayed at the Valenzuela City Hall of Justice during the opening of the art exhibit on September 23, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Branch 107, Metropolitan Trial Court, Valenzuela City)