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.