YouTube Documentary Film: Front Row: Lalaki sa Zamboanga, 17 taong nakakulong sa
isang bahay na kahoy
Reflection:
As I watched the documentary film about Ben, a mentally challenged person who was
imprisoned and restrained with "kadenang kahoy" for 17 years, I felt sad and sorry for him, yet I
also understood his family for doing that and how difficult their situation is. Having a relative who
cannot control themselves and ends up hurting people around them is seriously concerning and
embarrassing for them. Imprisoning and restraining Ben was the hard decision they had to make
for his well-being and also for the safety of the people around him.
Some people may find it cruel, but I believe that if his family did not care for him at all, they
would not have made the effort to keep him close to them, feed him, bathe him despite their
struggle. They would have abandoned him and just let him wander around. It was clear that they
cared for him and I know that his family hoped they could do better for Ben. However, because
medication and healthcare are expensive, and given their poverty, it was difficult for them since
they had their own families to feed and take care of. A person with this condition needs
professional intervention, but knowing their financial situation, it becomes difficult for them to
provide. They lacked in that aspect, but Ben’s family still provided the care they could for him. I
think this reflects a bigger issue in psychology, how poverty and stigma limit their access to proper
mental health care. Only if our government provides and ensures that every citizen has access to
proper healthcare, Ben could have had the professional interventions he needed.
When the film revealed that Ben was imprisoned for 17 years, everyone was shocked, yet,
I kept questioning what triggered Ben’s condition. Knowing that Ben was once normal, until his
wife left him and his child got sick made me think that heartbreak, too much stress and not
knowing how to handle or cope with it, might have caused his mental breakdown. In psychology,
extreme stress can cause mental health problems, especially when a person has a weak coping
mechanism. Ben’s case illustrates that when a person does not manage stress in life, it may result
in serious psychological conditions.
Personally, I admit that I actually used to fear people who are aggressive and do not know
how to handle themselves. Whenever I encountered them, my instinct was to avoid them out of
fear. But every time I watch a documentary film like this, it helps me develop my understanding
and awareness about their condition. I now feel empathy and lessen my fear. I see them as people
who need help. They deserve care, compassion, and professional help. I hope that there are more
individuals or communities who care enough to take action to support and help them. And I hope
that someday I will be one of the people who can extend help and make a difference in their lives.
