Report by Iana Edrianne M. Awayan and Mary Allison D. Ipulan SSIAP
Peace is YOUth. XU NSTP students, student volunteers, faculty and Formators flashed their hopeful smiles as they raised their slogans for peace during the city – wide Walk for Peace.
To enjoy a lasting peace is one of the marks of a truly developed country. The Philippines, as a developing country is in the stages of building the foundation of a true and lasting peace, especially in Mindanao which is typically viewed as a war-torn region. With this, the Mindanao Week of Peace is celebrated annually in the hopes of building a culture of peace and understanding in our very own region.
A Bright Future. Queenie Onipa, a student volunteer flashed a bright smile as she, along with her fellow youth, advocated for peace during the city – wide Walk for Peace.
Police for Peace. A group of female police joined the assembly at Rotonda prior to the start of the Walk for Peace.
Xavier University, as a Jesuit educational institution, places a great importance in the promotion of the establishment of peace. As an institution, it was part of the technical working group for the weeklong celebration of Mindanao Week of Peace 2019 and actively participated in the planning and implementation of the activities. The activities were crafted based on the theme “Towards Human Fraternity for Peace in Mindanao”. Such activities were the Walk for Peace, Arts for Peace, XU Lakaw sa Kalinaw, House of Worship Visit, Youth Peace Forum and Peace Concert Forum. Xavier Ateneo through the Social Development – Student Social Involvement and Advocacy Program (SD – SSIAP) joined and spearheaded four out of these activities, namely Walk for Peace, XU Lakaw sa Kalinaw, Youth Peace Forum and the Peace Concert Forum.
XU for Peace. XU faculty, Formators, staff and students participated in the silent and solemn, XU Lakaw Para Sa Kalinaw around the XU Main Campus.
The response and the turn-out for these activities was very heartwarming as various agencies, civil society organizations, religious sectors, the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro and the youth came together and collaborated to take simple yet impactful steps towards a more peaceful and harmonious Mindanao. The youth in particular were highlighted as being the key persons, the primary builders of our future and additionally of peace. Several of the slated events were led and participated by them. According to Mr. Marvin Pamisa a campaign moderator from the I Am Mindanao 4th wave on his talk during the Youth Peace Forum, “The youth, as the prime movers of making a difference in our society need to know first their identity in order to embrace their uniqueness and to develop their sense of belongingness to finally find their purpose in society as one of the builders of the future.”
This celebration of peace continued and culminated on the Peace Concert Forum where several local artists and bands showcased their talents by performing their songs for peace. The performers for this event include The Walkman, The Agalon Band, Dhassig Band, Eli RockJ, City Hall Night Mood Band, Dodu Abrio & Viajero, Felix Saco and Christopher Andates. The youth were also well-represented as the UCCP Lapasan Youth and XU students Farrah Rojo, Homer Tabas, Ishmael Quijada, Stephanie Patcho and Althea Galinada showed their skills in singing, dancing and spoken word poetry. The Peace Concert Forum was a truly a joyous, lighthearted affair. May this be the sign that peace can be achieved so long as there is openness, unity and a common goal that drives us all – a lasting peace in our home, our Mindanao.
Advocates for Peace. The four resource persons in the Youth Peace Forum share their insights during the Open Forum held at the XU Little Theater.
From left to right: Fr. Erdman Pandero, SSJV (Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro), Ms. Mona Lisa D. Pangan (XU Campus Ministries Office), Mr. Ustadj Edris Salic (Inter-Faith Forum of Cagayan de Oro) and Mr. Marvin N. Pamisa (I Am Minadanao 4th wave).
Raise Your Peace. Youth Peace Forum participants proudly raise the peace sign in honor of a more peaceful Mindanao.
Indeed, the youth play a very important role in securing a developed, progressing and peaceful future for our community and eventually our country. May the Mindanao Week of Peace 2019 serve as the beginning of sustainable, visible and collaborative actions in transforming a nation from conflict, prejudice and judgement into one that fosters, love, understanding, openness and collaboration.
United for Peace. A group of Muslim students posed for the camera during the Opening Program at Kiosko Kagawasan after the Walk for Peace.
Moderators for Peace. Ms. Allison Ipulan and Ms. Aeriana Uy, both of whom are SD Volunteers, shared their skills in hosting as the moderators of the Youth Peace Forum.
From a Youth to the Youth. Ms. May Camille Jaraula, an NSTP student and an SD Volunteer shared her learnings from the forum and ultimately challenged the youth.