MWOP Highlighted Culture of Peace Through Sports

The 2^nd day of the celebration of Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP), November 30, highlighted Culture of Peace through Sports at Rajah Buayan Air Station. 

“We honor RESPECT, DISCIPLINE and TEAMWORK” is the main mantra of all kids participating in creating culture of peace through football.  

Almost 300 boys and girls consisting of 15 teams aged 8 to 15 years old participated in the games.

The program started with a tri-people (Muslim, Christian, Lumad) prayer.   Col. Jonathan of Rajah Buayan Air Station  welcomed the participants while Fr. Angelo Buenavides gave the rationale of the program. Founder of GenSan Sarangani Football Club, Retired Col. Diego Laguna gave the mechanics of the game.

Every registration of the participants gave way to donation of various sports equipment such as balls and metal frame for the goals to selected “poor school” in the area. Schools beneficiaries were given free football clinic and/or soccer balls and goal posts.

Generous sponsors supported the advocacy:

Pediatrica, Inc. donated bottles of “Growee” vitamins to all the kids.  They also selected “poor” players by donating soccer socks and “shields”.  

The Air Force hosted the event. 

JTF Gensan and 1002^nd IB provide transportation and security of the players. 

GenSan Sarangani Football Club facilitated the training and acted as referees. 

SOCSARGEN Peace Network Youth volunteers prepared the program and gave logistical support.

The team participated were from Fatima, Alabel High School, Alabel Elementary, IBED – Lagao, ND Siena, GSC School for the Arts, J. Catolico, SPED, West Elementary Teams A, B, C, Conel Elementary, Conel High School, SKC and Buayan Elementary.

Mindanao Week of Peace 2012 Kicks Off at GSC School for the Arts

GSC School for the Arts hosted the Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP) 2012 on November 29, 2012. It opened with an authentic Lumad prayer followed by a Muslim and Christian prayers by the pupils in the host school. 

Indigenous dances were presented by the pupils – B’laan “courting” dance and a folk dance.

Various peace partners gave messages of peace, partnership and collaboration to the community.  Peace Partners present were SOCSARGEN Peace Network, JTF Gensan, 73^rd IB, NDDU Peace Partners, MSU, YCSC, Kabpapagariya Ensemble, BLGU of Dadianags North, City LGU, Medical Group of Dr. Torre, and RMMC.

MSU Kabpapagariya  Ensemble filled the air with peace songs… its rhythm made the community dance and sing together with the group.

Students were given materials to make a kite while peace songs were being played.  Peace partners coached the pupils how to make a kite.  They made to fly the kites as their personal wishes and our common wish for PEACE were send to the ‘sky’.

Simple lunch wrapped in banana leaves were served after the flying.

Mindanao Week of Peace is annually celebrated every 4^th Thursday of November until the 1^st Wednesday of December.  Various activities set by the peace partners were set starting November 29 to December 3, 2012.   

A Glance from the life of the rebel returnees.

In one time, they ceases to LOVE... they ceases to embrace their FAITH... and PEACE is no where to find.  Poverty tempted them to accept "offers" from armed groups.  Their lives were always on hiding and threatened.  Our session gave them HOPE... and that they don't want it to lose...

May the society help rekindle their candle of HOPE so the candles of LOVE, FAITH and PEACE will be lit again.

STEWARDSHIP & CONVERGENCE : Planting Trees and Cleaning the Silway Riverbanks

More than 600 volunteers coming from various sectors converged near the Silway riverbanks of  Brgy. Dadiangas North on September 29, 2012 to plant additional trees, cultivate the existing trees previously planted and clean the riverbanks.

Mostly bamboos, narra, acacia and banana were planted in the area.

The riverbank stretches about 17 hectares and through convergence and volunteerism, this area is targeted to be transformed into a mini forest within the city.  This will also prevent the soil erosion and possible flooding during rainy seasons.

Schools participated were Shalom Crest Wizard Academy, Dadiangas North Elementary/High School, Dadiangas East Elementary School, and Girls Scouts of the Philippines – Paopao Elementary School, Holy Trinity College/High School.

Private organizations also participated - The Kiwanis Club - Synergy Gensan and Metro Bank (in the celebration of their 50^th Anniversary),

The military group secured the place and shuttle the volunteers to the venue.  JTF-Gensan, PNP, and the Philippines Army participated in the activities.  JTF-Gensan donated more than 500 seedlings.

In partnership with the barangay, the trees will be monitored and will be taking care of. 

SOCSARGEN Peace Network, a network of various organizations for peace and development, will continue to sustain the activity by inviting groups or individual to participate in the tree planting and cleaning every month as a simple contribution of being the stewards of the environment.

photo documentation details: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.493855657304910.112688.300156283341516&type=1

TREE PLANTING AND CLEANING UP ACTIVITIES

SHALOM CREST WIZARD ACADEMY

DADIANGAS NORTH HIGH SCHOOL

GIRLS SCOUT OF PAO-PAO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

HOLY TRINITY COLLEGE/HS

KIWANIS CLUB - SYNERGY GENSAN

METROBANK

JTF GENSAN

                                     

70 Youth Volunteers Attended COP and Teambuilding Seminar Workshop

SOCSARGEN Peace Network invited 70 youth volunteers from various schools, organizations and tribes mostly in General Santos City to attend the Culture of Peace (COP) and Teambuilding seminar workshop on June 7, 2012 at a military camp transformed to a peace camp of the 73^rd IB named Fort Santiago.

                                       LEARNING TEAMBUILDING THROUGH PLAY

Fr. Angelo Buenavides facilitated teambuilding through play like “breaking records” and “theory of evolution”.  The learnings after the plays were shared by participants who were further processed by the facilitator. The concepts and values learned include the value of having good strategies before going to an activity, unity, and excellence.

                                          

APPRECIATING PEACE THROUGH SONGS

MSU-Kabpapagariya Ensemble, the official performing arts group of the Mindanao State University – General Santos City, perform acoustics and entertained the participants peace and environment songs like “Kapayapaan” and “Bathala”.

DEFINING PEACE

Participants were asked to find an object that will symbolize peace.  Some get balls, stones, slippers, broom stick and some plants and construct a peace symbols.  Some themes that surfaced include playing football introduces peace to the children, peace is unity.

Facilitators Nova Masoco and Gina Misoles gave an input on peace.  They shared that “PEACE means stillness and calm, a sense of well being. Harmony and cooperation.  A reality when societies are just and fair to all.  It exists in the society when conflict are resolved non-violently and when there are practical efforts to satisfy the basic needs of people in a fair and reasonable manner”.

TECHNOLOGY AND PEACE BUILDING – SOCIAL MEDIA

Danny Sabino of SOCSARGEN Peace Network, shared how technology and social media contribute to peace building like introducing and re-enforcing various peace advocacies.

Social media was defined -“Social media includes web-based and mobile based technologies which are used to turn communication into interactive dialogue among organizations, communities, and individuals.”

Social media offers a good platform for the youth to converge… knowing that majority of the populace is youth.  The platform offers a good venue to share good practices of volunteerism, generate informed decisions and get immediate feedback.

“But at the end, it is also good to shut down the computer and meet people personally.”  says the speaker.

UNDERSTANDING CULTURE: RESOLVING PREJUDICES.

Youth Volunteers were grouped by Tribes.  The composition resulted to groups of Illonggo, Cebuano, Ilokano, Tagalog and Maguindanaon. Each tribe will be asked to put positive and negative traits which they observed to other tribes.  Participants were then asked to explain why they write those traits and asked each tribe to comments on the traits that were given to them.  After the activities, the tribe somewhat lay down their prejudices.

Nova shared that “Culture is the way people think and behave.  This includes the way they dress, the type of food that they eat and the language they speak.  Example, Muslim eat halal meat, women cover all parts of their body.”

Furthermore, the facilitator shared “Prejudice is a baseless and usually negative attitude toward members of the group.  Common features of prejudice include negative feelings, stereotyped beliefs, and a tendency to discriminate against members of the group.

RESOLVING CONFLICTS

Seven volunteers were asked to hold each other with arms crossed.  Everybody thought of a spot without talking to each other.  The workshop resulted to a tug-of-war scenario where everybody wanted to go somewhere else and movements were chaotic.

For the second round, the volunteers were allowed to talk to each other and plan where they want to go. The result were happy and harmonious movement where they plan to go.

The facilitator then gave an input, “That, conflict is natural.  An on-going and dynamic process.  That conflict can result to a positive change and that conflict is embedded in all types of relationships”.

COMMUNICATION.

A message relay was conducted.  Participants formed 4 lines with equal members each.  The workshop were processed and consolidated with an input  that “There is a good communication if one’s thoughts, feelings, and needs to others are clearly understood.  Communication is sending and receiving of messages.  A dialogue is knowing where you stand and meeting each other and seeing what we can do together. “

“Negotiation was introduced as a problem solving tool and MEDIATION is a satisfactory solutions through facilitation of third party”.

CULTURE OF PEACE.

The whole day activity was highlighted with an input on Culture of Peace (COP). “Culture of Peace is the wholeness of life where every persons can live with dignity… where there is an appreciation and respect for the integrity of all person.  A way of life that promotes the well-being of all human beings, regardless of different cultural backgrounds and historicity… where the group of people grow in dignity, self determination, service and solidarity with their fellow human beings.

After the seminar workshop, Lt. Sumbong of 73^rd IB Community Extension Officer, allowed the participants to move around the camp where peace messages abound the landscape of the camp, bonsai can be seen all over the place, and at an elevation and good angle, you can see the panoramic view of Sarangani Bay and the mountains of Maasim.

Football players from the participants played with the soldiers while waiting for the transportation.

The venue of the seminar was offered free by 73^rd IB.  LGU of General Santos City  through the office of the city mayor,  shuttled the participants from General Santos City to Maasim and vice versa.

VOLUNTEERS FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT SHARED BEST PRACTICES

Volunteers from various sectors and individuals gathered at NDDU Auditorium on June 20, 2012 to share their best practices on volunteerism for peace and development.

Culture of Peace (COP)

“Propagation of COP is everyone’s shared responsibilities”, says Ms. Lambac of Kalinaw Sarangani. A home grown module includes deeper understanding of history, self transformation, conflict resolutions, etc.

Col. Espuelas of 73^rd IB found COP trainings helpful in helping solve the complex problem of insurgency (which is usually rooted to socio economic problems) in Mindanao. This transformed their soldiers as peace advocates, transforming the camp to a “Peace Camp” and engaged in various voluntary works from donating blood to helping in emergency reliefs, medical missions and construction of infrastructures.

Addressing Children’s Nutritional Deficiency

Dr. Cagape had been advocating the right nutrition for the children in his various feeding programs in the far flung area of SOCSARGEN. Feeding the children will always be the priority activity in his volunteerism, working side by side with his medical mission and some livelihood programs.

Other best practices includes propagation of “Kasfala” and Barangay Justice Advocates for restorative justice, Tindahan sa Kalinaw, Child Friendly Activities, Interfaith/Intercultural faith dialogues, gardening, bridging the gaps of MILF combatants to a multi-donor agencies,

Attributes/Learnings from Volunteerism.

To be a volunteer, you have to the 4Ps: – Be programmatic, Be professional, Be patient, Be a peace advocate as shared by Mussolini Sinsuat Lidasan of Life of a UNV in Peace Development.

Ernesto Casiple shared that best volunteer must be S.T.R.O.N.G. Being (S)teadfast, (T)rustworthy, (R)eliable, (O)ptomistic, (N)oble, and (G)otchy.

NDDU student volunteer shared his best practices as a volunteer:

1. Time management. Balancing studies and volunteering activities

2. Creative and being simple as funds on activities are limited

3. “Food on the Table” – even simple food bring volunteers together across cultures

4. Having passion and commitment

5. Smile

A workshop was conducted to make resolutions: “Future we want as volunteers for peace and

development”. Below were some output:

1. Making community productive

2. Shaping a strong family foundation

3. Developing culture of peace through sports – football

4. Education and resource utilization and livelihood program for remote communibities

5. Promote good governance – accountable, responsive, transparent

6. Preservation of natural resources, responsible waste management

7. No religious discrimination

8. Gender responsive

9. Give education to Indigenous People

10. Discourage bullying

11. Re-use, Reduce, Recycle

12. Personal conversion

13. Continue the strong alliance among volunteers to sustain peace and development initiatives in SOCSARGEN

14. Youth and woman empowerment – capacity building

15. Education for the out of school youth

16. Discover the spirit of volunteerism in every individual

17. Continue planting trees

18. Develop habitat for animals

Father Angelo Buenavides of SOCSARGEN Peace Network challenged the volunteers on the recent reality of “comodification” of values .

“If we are to speak. Our words must come from the bottom of our hearts. My dear young people the crisis of our time is not so much that we do not have choices in life but we choose not our heart’s deepest desire. The result we become sad people. We choose what is dictated by the market. There is a commodification of our desire.

Volunteerism is our contribution to rediscovering our heart’s deepest desire. Thought we give ourselves for the service of our people and nation, volunteerism help us also discover the joy of service, the romance with life, the fire of passion that makes life worth engaging and living.

Yes, to be a volunteer means Masaya na mahirap, mahirap na Masaya. In the creative tension of our giving, we contribute to the building of the soul of our nation.”, says Fr. Angel.

He shared and sung a a tagalong song “Hamon ng Panahon” (Challenge of the Times).

Sa mundo ngayon di tunay ang ngiti

Turing sa bawat isa’y isa lamang katunggali

Ano ang hahawakan, ano ang susundan

Sino ang gagawa ng unang hakbang

Ang hamon ng panahon ngayon nasa ating harapan

Naghihintay ng isang tugon, nagpapakita ng daan

Piliin ang pag-ibig, buhayin ang pag-asa

At mula sa ating sarili baguhin ang mundo ngayon

Bawat isa sa atin may nasang marating

Kalayaang magbigay mataas ng hangarin

Ano ang pipiliin, ano ang susundan

Sino ang gagawa ng unang hakbang

Mayor Darlene Antonito of General Santos City shared her hope that peace is still achievable in Mindanao through respect and giving importance to each other, putting important value on peace, knowing that everyone has a vital role to make things better and working for peace passionately.

Notre Dame of Marbel University and NDDU Peace Center hosted the workshop. Ms. Princess Fernandez was the master of ceremony.

Abe Akiko of United Nations Volunteers (UNV) spearheaded the event which ended in the signing of resolutions for the future the volunteers want for peace and development and will be sent to an on-going conference at Rio+ 20 in Brazil.

Related details can be read on: http://pec.nddu.edu.ph/nddu-peace-education-center-in-partnership-with-unv-philippines/

Be My Apostle Movement, partnering in School Supplies Distribution at Sitio Kapanal

“Bong Salamat” – thank you very much!, echoed in the community SItio Kapanal (T’boli Community) as they were visited by SOCSARGEN Peace Network’s partner – Be My Apostle Movement (BMAM) on June 2, 2012 bringing their timely donations of school supplies, bags and medicine kit for the opening of classes next week for almost 300 pupils and teachers of Kapanal Elementary School.  They also brought materials to repair the lone bridge made of wood, volleyballs and basketballs for the community and bibles.  Some sponsors donated books and pledges for tuition fees of some students in high school.

The volunteers assembled early 4:30 AM in General Santos City and take their breakfast at Sito Lao, Brgy Gasi , Municipality of Kiamba before heeding to Sitio Kapanal at 8:15AM. 

Right after arrival, BMAM volunteers prepared lunch for the whole community while the rest helped clean the school and the surrounding.

After cleaning, child friendly activities were led by the Tri-Youth Volunteers.  They had games, dances, and songs.

Wena Tampan of BMAM lead the distribution of school supplies and turned over materials for the repair of the bridge, bibles, medicine kits, starter kits for the 3 teachers, and sports equipment.  Jed turned over books from Shalom Crest Wizard Academy - parent donor.

There was a community lunch – “boodle feast”. 

BMAM and volunteers took a plunge in the nearby rivers and enjoyed diving in cold and clean water with the community children.

The team were composed of 25 persons from Be My Apostle Movement lead by Wena Tampan and Raph Kintanar, 16 persons from  SIMS and TAMRAS Mountaineering lead by Art and Tonton, 13 persons from 73^rd IB – Headquarter and Charlie Company led by Sgt Putol and 20 persons from SOCSARGEN Peace Network/Tri-Youth Volunteers led by Fr. Angelo Buenavdes.

The team departed past 4PM and arrived in General Santos City past 6PM with a smile in their heart.