Mission Possible changes an ex-convict’s life

MANILA, Philippines - RCD Land, Inc. has proven once more how it changes lives, not just by providing Filipinos with quality housing developments, but also by giving employment to those who need it most.

Recently, the company was featured on ABS-CBN’s newest public service program, Mission Possible, hosted by Julius Babao. The program put the spotlight on the life story of Luis Crisostomo, a 52-year-old ex-convict who has had difficulty getting a job because of his criminal record. RCD Land Inc., through the effort of its president, Roland Delantar, paid no heed to Crisostomo’s criminal past and readily gave him a job at the company.

Crisostomo, who has a wife and a child, was incarcerated for 15 years at the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City after being convicted of qualified theft and estafa for stealing P5,000, from his former employer. His original sentence of 20 years was commuted because of good behavior. While he was “inside,” he studied and finished college, earning a Commerce degree.

After he was released from prison last year, Crisostomo had a hard time looking for a job, despite having a degree. Employers were reluctant to hire an ex-convict, so he had to settle for a construction job at a building firm. Delays in his salary at this firm forced him to quit, as he has a wife and an eight-month-old baby to feed.

Babao, who host the Mission Possible which is a public service program which aim to provide assistance and help people, learned of Crisostomo’s story and sought for potential employers who would accept and give him a job.

Because of his previous employment as a construction worker, Delantar was one of the persons approached by the program.  Upon learning of what happened to Crisostomo, Delantar didn’t waste time in hiring the former.

“Galing din ako sa buhay na mahirap at pamilyado akong tao. Kapag nakakakita ako ng mga taong talagang hirap sa buhay, gusto ko silang matulungan. Ang mga ganyang tao naman kasi, kapag nabigyan mo naman ng break, magiging mabuting tao din naman yang mga yan,” Delantar says.

The company provided him his much-needed opportunity and hired Crisostomo. He was assigned as a warehouse man at their feature community, the RCD Royale Homes in Silang, Cavite.

Before he founded RCD Land, Inc., Delantar lived in abject poverty in his native Leyte. Despite being a farmer’s son, he was determined to finish his studies and graduated valedictorian in high school. Armed with a brilliant mind and an ambition to uproot himself from poverty, he went to Manila and worked in several blue collar jobs, including house helping for a rich family, and as a salesman for a manufacturing firm to support his college studies. Delantar, a certified public accountant, a licensed real estate broker has now become a property development owner.