SOCSARGEN Celebrates Mindanao Week of Peace 2009

SOCSARGEN celebrated the Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP) 2009 on November 26 to December 2, 2009. The celebration was initiated by Bishop Ulama Conference who highlighted peace advocacies and initiatives of various groups in the area.

Celebrating this year’s MWOP included expression of peace through painting, essay-writing, song composition, photo exhibit, biking race, kite-flying, peace camps and forums.

Along with these advocacy activities, various sectors conducted free medical checkup, dental operations, and child friendly activities in areas that were victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters.

Child Friendly Activities at Pananag, Maasim, SP

Sharing at the Peace Camp, Kiamba, SP

Medical Operation at Tuyan, Glan, SP

Pre-MWOP activities bared
Responding proactively to the call of peace and development advocacy in Mindanao, twenty (20) secondary schools in SOCSARGEN joined in the Pre-Mindanao Week of Peace activities held at the DXCP Compound, General Santos City, November 7, 2009.

In coordination with the Department of Education in its mandate of mainstreaming peace education in schools, Ernesto Casiple Jr. and the KKC Tri-Youth volunteers facilitated the day’s events including poster-making, essay-writing, and on air quiz bee.

Essay Writing at Passionist Compound

Peace Canvasses

Peace Quiz on Air at DXCP-CMN

With the theme,” THINK Mindanao, FEEL Mindanao, BRING PEACE to Mindanao” and deviating from the customary concept of competition, participating students expressed and displayed their ideology on a canvas, through proposals, and through a mental challenge called Hulagway sa Kalilintad, Sulat K’linaw, and Utok K’linaw.

Further, Erns Casiple, the project head, discussed and explained the essence of understanding Mindanao history, the culture of peace and respect for others. Alnezzar Ali, a renowned Mindanaoan artist, facilitated the painting activity while divulging helpful ideas and tips on canvas display.


COMMUNITY WORKSHOP-TAPESTRY CREATION

Amateur student artists of General Santos City converged to create a tapestry of art called Likos.

Likos is a Maguindanon word for tapestry -like textile that is hanged horizontally with okir motifs as embellishments, often used as decors in festive events.

This workshop used traditional techniques with a touch of modern art including painting, collage and mixed media trimmings. This promoted creativity without the technical demands of traditional piecing. Beadworks were also applied through a separate workshop on bead-making.

Tapestry creation was also an interactive work that promoted unity in diversity, focused on one goal: making a likos wall of approximately four meters wide and one meter long. Kalimudan Culture & Arts Center conducted the workshop last November 21-22 with 21 participants and 8 professional artists as coaches.


THE OPENING

MWOP 2009 formally opened at Brgy Panang, Maasim Sarangani Province on November 2, 2009. Religious and tribal sectors, military, students, parishioners , and NGOs joined the parade, followed by a short program that showcased intermission numbers, peace-promoting songs, and children’s reflection on peace.

One of the shared messages was delivered by a muslim child, Raihana. She said, “sana mabigyan kami ng karapatang manirahan sa isang mapayapa at tahimik na barangay. Gusto naming maging malaya, mabigyan ng sapat na edukasyon, mapaunlad ang sariling kakayahan at mabigyan ng proteksyon laban sa mapagsamantala, panganib at karahasan para makapaglaro at makapaglibang. Salamat sa pagbigay n’yo sa amin ng karapatan para maipahayag ang aming sariling pananaw.”

The program was concluded through a song. Even after this, the audience kept on volunteering to sing.

RACE FOR PEACE

Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) spearheaded the 1st Tour de Sarangani with the theme “Riding for Hope and Racing for Peace” last November 29. The race launched in Maitum and culminated in Glan. Alex Josol of RMN presented the three participating teams. The participants were welcomed by Mayor Elsie Perrette of the Municipality of Glan.
The bikers reached the finish line in Glan wthin seven hours, bringing with them the message of condemnation on recent Maguindanao massacre.


KITE FLYING FOR PEACE

The Peace Education Center of Notre Dame of Dadiangas University hosted Kite Flying For Peace at Oval Plaza last November 30, 2009.
The activity started with a prayer led by Sr. Cynthia Triumfante, SMSM— “… Panginoon, narito po kami ngayon, nagkatipon-tipon upang ipahiwatig namin ang aming adhikaing magkaroon ng kapayapaan sa aming islang Mindanaw at sa buong mundo…”
Kites made by NDDU students, religious groups, Peace and Development Advocacy League, and various organizations soared high bringing with them messages of peace.

PEACE ACTIVITIES FOR THE CHILDREN

Sixty-five children participated in “Peace Tiles” (organized for ages 5 to 8 years) and “Peace Train” (organized for ages 9 to 12 years) at Robinsons Place last November 30 conducted by Kalmudan Culture and Art Center.

Children were given boxes as surface mediums for their art expression. All the six faces of the box were painted or drawn. Others put more details on it by drawing peace symbols such as doves. After which, the train boxes were connected together with strings—this symbolized the united voices and visions of the little ones in peace building through peace expression.


PANAGHOY SA KALINAW — SEASON TWO

Nine bands presented their original pieces of peace songs at “Panaghoy Sa Kalinaw — Season 2” last November 30 at the Robinsons’ Place, General Santos City.
The activity aimed to continue its music advocacy for lasting peace in Mindanao.

The participating bands were PNP PRO-12 Band, Jesus Ministry Band, Tim Band, Agape Band, Sentro Band, Hands up to God Band, Alsa Armas Band, Skunk Whistle Band, and the C Major Band.

Mr. Gervy Augustine conceptualized and produced this activity since he successfully organized the premier activity, “Panaghoy sa Kalinaw The Concert,” participated by Arnel Pineda himself.


FESTIVAL OF FARMERS, FISHERMAN AND STUDENTS

Farmers, fishermen & students from Barangay Tambilil and Baranagy Gasi converged at JBT Caing Sr. Memorial School in Tambilil Kiamba to share their experiences in organic farming last December 1, 2009.

Success stories of farmers engaged in organic farming were shared. Fr. Greto Bugas, an advocate of organic farming encouraged all the farmers to go organic in order to reduce harmful physical consequences of the use of synthetic fertilizers and to trim down expenses on farm inputs. He also encouraged the use of herbal medicines and eat food products from organic farms to help normalize blood circulation.

Ibrahim Nilong, invited a student from MSU, to share the technology of composting fertilizer through worm culture.

Hon. Rommel Falgui, mayor of the municipality of Kiamba emphasized the challenge to bring food security in the municipality. He further said that organic farming helped the farmers convert expenses in the farm input (e.g. fertilizers, pesticides) to savings.

After the program, the farmers, fishermen, students of the host school, and visitors had their lunch of paksiw’ng isda on organic rice, packed in banana leaves.

THE CULMINATION

Hundreds of peace advocates from SOCSARGEN area joined the closing celebration of MWOP 2009 from the parade to a half-day festivity in Tu-yan, Malapatan, Sarangani Province. Volunteer medical professionals also joined the activity by conducting medical missions.
Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez congratulated Tuyan Elementary School for hosting the activity and for being chosen as the “School of Peace”. He thanked all who attended for advocating peace.
The bishop also expressed his condemnation on the massacre at Maguindanao last November 23, 2009. According to him it was not a work of a human but the devil.
The festivity included singing and dancing of tri-people, blowing of bubbles of hopes and dreams, and band presentations from various schools.
One of the student sharers, Maricon Esparagosa, highlighted the celebration through her message that said:

“…aduna kami tulo ka tribu dinhi sa among barangay, apan wala gayod kami magkagubot nahitungod lamang sa among pagkalain-laing relihiyon. Amo kining nasabtan gikan sa among mga teachers nga dili ang relihiyon ang magdala kanato sa gingharian sa Diyos apan atong pagsalig og pagtoo kaniya. Kung aduna man kami panagbikil sa among mga classmates amo ining ginapaningkamutan nga dili maapil ang beliefs sa usag-usa. Pagrespeto sa usag-usa ang dapat natong palabihon dili kay kung unsa lang nga imong pagtoo ng makaayo og makapadatu kanimo. Ibitang nato sa atong huna-huna nga ang tawo dili moasinso kung magdinautay. Dapat kanato magtinabangay, magsinabtanay para sa kalambuan kanatong tanan og sa atong nasud…unsaon nato pagkab-ot sa kalinaw nga atong gusto na tagamtaman kung magdimautay kita sa atong isigkatao. Kuhaon nato ang atong attitude nga ginatawag og “CRAB MENTALITY”, ibig sabihin dili nato birahon pababa ang tawo nga padulong na sa pag asenso. Dapat sa kanunay ang Ginoo ang sentro sa atong kasing kasing. Dili matuman ang atong mga damgo og pangandoy kung wala kitay pagsalig og respeto sa usag-usa. Let us think and feel Mindanao as our Mother Land. Say NO to war. Let us bring peace to Mindanao.”