Phyllis Sentiva Ochoa, a former John Jay High School student, whose song “San Antonio” went viral on social media over the last couple of years is now free.
Kiko Martinez for MySA
Phyllis Sentiva Ochoa is officially a free woman. The former John Jay High School student, whose song “San Antonio” went viral on social media over the last couple of years, was released on parole from the Hilltop Unit in Gatesville on Wednesday (July 15) after serving more than a decade in prison.
“That song came out during the worst time in my life,” Ochoa, 35, told MySA during an in-person interview in May. “I’m looking forward to putting the darkest parts of my life behind me.”
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During an email interview earlier this week, Ochoa talked about what else she’s looking forward to – from eating a banana split and trying ChatGPT to finally finishing The Walking Dead and feeling sand beneath her bare feet.
Kiko Martinez: What’s the very first meal you want to eat when you get out?
Ochoa Sentiva: The first thing I want to eat is a big, fat, juicy steak. However, because I’m on an ankle monitor, I have to go straight home. So, the alternative is to have a pizza party. I’ve been wanting pizza, wings and salad too!
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KM: What’s one piece of technology that didn’t exist when you went to prison that you’re most excited to try?
OS: ChatGPT is something new and crazy I’m excited to use. I can’t believe technology is so advanced now! Spooky!
KM: What’s one simple everyday freedom most people take for granted that you’re looking forward to the most?
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OS: Using a washer and dryer. In prison, we have to wash all our clothes by hand in a sink or toilet in the cell block. So, just throwing clothes in a machine and pushing a button is something I’m never going to take for granted.
KM: Is there a musician who’s become popular while you’ve been away that you’re excited to check out?
OS: I heard two songs by [Christian musician] Forrest Frank, so I’m really looking forward to listening to more of his music and hitting up a concert one day.
KM: Is there a movie, TV show, or book everyone’s been talking about that you’re excited to finally experience?
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OS: Well, I never got to finish The Walking Dead, so I’m going to watch that first. But I’ve heard about something called Hulu? So, I want to see what’s on there. I’ve also heard amazing things about Yellowstone, so I want to see what the hype is about.
KM: What’s something you’ve missed smelling, hearing, or feeling that most people don’t even notice?
OS: Something I’ve missed is the smell of a BBQ pit or burning wood. I miss the smell of rivers and lakes. I miss my bare feet in the grass and sand. I miss looking up at the clouds and listening to the birds. I miss the feeling of wonder when you look up at night and stare at the stars or watch the trees dance in the wind. I miss looking out into the distance and seeing there is an expansion of freedom with no brick walls, fences or razor wires blocking your view.
KM: How do you think having complete creative freedom will change your artwork?
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OS: I believe having the freedom to choose my art will be amazing. Not to crank myself up, but I know I’m capable of being fantastic with my creativity. I have all the talent and skills to do beautiful artwork. I can’t wait to share it with the world.
KM: What is the first dessert you want to make for someone when you get out?
OS: The first dessert I want to make is a banana split for me and my sisters. It will be with all the goodies: bananas, vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, strawberries, caramel, peanuts, sprinkles and whip cream. Oh, yeah!
KM: When you leave prison, what kind of woman do you want people to meet – not the person you were a decade ago, but the person you’ve become?
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OS: I want people to see me for who I am now. A lot of people think I’m still that crazy girl in the pink halter top sitting in the chair acting a fool. They judge me off my crimes and stick all these labels on me.
Even then, when I was doing the most, they judged me. I admit I was a fool. I was a hot mess. I was ratchet. But deep down, I was lost, broken, angry and alone in a cold game of the streets. I deserved some of the names I was called back then. I deserved the time I was given due to my crimes. I own that. I did hard time, and I learned a lot about myself. It took me being fully broken and hitting rock bottom and losing it all to realize I needed to change.
So, I made a choice one day and surrendered my life to Christ. I’m no longer PMuney or Peanut. I’m a child of God. I’m smart and funny. I’m artistic, brave, compassionate and charismatic. I light up any room I walk into.
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I want people to meet Phyllis Sentiva Ochoa. I know it’s hard to believe I could change, but I did, and it’s only by the grace and love of God. I can’t wait to share all I’ve learned with others to help encourage them to find that same freedom from their past as I did. I just hope people will see me for who I’ve become, not who I once was.