13/05/2026
A hope in every cup
By Angela Dawn Gonzales
May 14, 2026
With every sip of coffee served at Ex-Preso, there is more than just comfort in a cup—there is hope, dignity, and chance behind every order.
For many Persons Restored of Liberty (PRLs), rebuilding their life after prison is never easy. Freedom does not automatically erase stigma, fear, and uncertainty. Yet, through the Ex-Preso advocacy, former persons deprived of liberty are finding a way to begin again, one step, and one cup at a time.
The Ex-Preso coffee advocacy is a tangible expression of this mission, offering former prisoners a fresh start in life. This initiative is not a business entity but an advocacy run by the priests of PJPS who handle religious work and support the spiritual life of the prisoners.
This initiative is led by the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service Foundation, Inc. (PJPS), an apostolate of the Society of Jesus dedicated to accompanying persons deprived and restored of liberty and their families through holistic reformation. Through its Scholarship, Socio-Pastoral, PRL CARE, and Advocacy programs.
“This is an advocacy and not just a business entity,” shared by Daniel Borda, one of the PRL baristas. “The proceeds help scholars of PJPS, especially children of prisoners whose parents can no longer support their education.”
All proceeds from Ex-Preso go directly to the PRL CARE Program, which assists PRLs as they reintegrate into society with dignity and hope.
From May 12 to May 31, 2026, visitors are invited to support the advocacy through its pop-up at Lourdes Grotto - Mirador Jesuit Villa Retreat House and Eco Park in Baguio City, where PRLs serve espresso drinks while accompanying others in conversations about second chances and healing.
New Beginnings
For Daniel Borda, Ex-Preso became more than a coffee advocacy—it became a path toward reclaiming his humanity.
Borda entered prison in 2009 at a young age after being charged with homicide and illegal possession of fi****ms. Inside the New Bilibid Prison, he chose to transform his life instead of allowing despair to consume him.
While inside [prison], Borda completed his education and graduated with a degree in BS Entrepreneurship in 2015. Eventually, he became a teacher inside the prison, teaching fellow persons deprived of liberty who could neither read nor write.
He served as a teacher for more than nine years, a role that also contributed to earning Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA), that shortened his sentence.
Yet despite his transformation, Borda admitted that life outside prison remained difficult because of stigma.
Through PJPS’ Ex-Preso, Borda found acceptance and purpose once again. “This advocacy helped me feel human again,” he shared. At first, he was afraid to face other people, but through the advocacy, he felt welcomed by them.
Beacon of Hope
Similarly, the journey of PRL barista Jhon Wilson Wile reflects the struggles and redemption many former prisoners experience.
Wile was incarcerated at a young age due to an illegal fraternity-related incident. Growing up in a broken family, he admitted that peer influence shaped many of his wrong decisions.
“While inside, I realized that my family were the ones who still visited me. That was when I realized that I needed to change my life.” he stated.
In his years inside prison, Wile finished his college, earning a bachelor's degree majoring in business management in 2013, and also became a teacher for fellow inmates until 2025. His good conduct and service allowed his supposed 2035 release date to be moved years earlier through the GCTA system.
Having freedom, he still faced uncertainties about starting anew.
Upon returning to Negros after nearly two decades in prison, Jhon struggled to find work because he lacked identification documents and faced discrimination from employers. However, because of Ex-Preso, his life was transformed, serving not just coffee but also sharing stories of hope.
For both PRLs, the advocacy is not only about livelihood but also about restoring confidence, dignity, and belonging after years of incarceration and stigma.
By supporting Ex-Preso, customers do more than purchase coffee. They become part of the journey of PRLs that believe people are more than their past mistakes. This now turns a cup of coffee into a beacon of hope for many.
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