In search of peace: SMAD celebrates the Mindanao Week of Peace

There were about ten people who stood in the center ground. Each was holding a white balloon. "Those balloons symbolize the prayers, hopes, and aspirations of all Marisians," said Mr. Oliver Calledo, the moderator of the Samahang Araling Panlipunan. "At the count of three, they will release the balloons." Then the balloons were released.

Thus went Stella Maris Academy of Davao’s early launching of the Mindanao Week of Peace on November 24, 2010.

The island of Mindanao, the second largest island in the Philippines, used to be an important place in Southeast Asia. It was, as others would call it, the gateway to Southeast Asia. In the previous centuries, traders from different parts of the world came and went, bringing with them such precious goods as cinnamon, ivory, and silverwares.

Today, however, some parts of Mindanao are sporadically ravaged by wars, unrests, and conflicts. Several institutions, including the Philippine government itself, have tried to fix what they call the "problem in Mindanao." Peace talks here, cease fire agreement there. Inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue here, peace caravan there. But if one were to look around, one can see that some places in Mindanao are far from peaceful.

The task of bringing peace in Mindanao is seemingly insurmountable, and yet it did not deter the Marisians from celebrating the Mindanao Week of Peace. Thus on the 24th of November, the Marisians joined the rest of Mindanaoans for a week-long celebration of peace.

SMAD’s early launching of the Mindanao Week of Peace began with an ecumenical prayer, followed by the singing of “Tagumpay,” a song beckoning everyone to work together to reach greater heights, and then by the releasing of the balloons.

After the launching, the members of the Samahang Araling Panlipunan and some student leaders from the grade school and high school departments, settled in the AVR for a whole day forum-workshop.

In the morning, Rev. Fr. Pedro Lamata, Director of Archdiocesan Center for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Dialogue, gave a lecture titled “Towards Understanding The Bangsamoro Struggle and Peace-Building Efforts in Mindanao.” The lecture gave a deeper insight into the peace situation in Mindanao and the different efforts of government and non-government organizations to address the problem in Mindanao. For instance, Fr. Lamata shared the causes of the unrest in some parts of the island: massive poverty, poor governance, injustice and abuse of power, control by a few of political power, and exploitation of cultural communities and lack of recognition of their ancestral domain. Fr. Lamata ended his lecture with a challenge: “Peace in Mindanao,” he said, “can only be achieved if we work together, listen to each other and dialogue with each other.”

Then in the afternoon, a workshop ensued. Mr. Arvin Antonio Ortiz, an AP teacher, facilitated the workshop. At the workshop, the students participated in such team-building activities as “Have you ever?” “Helium Stick,” “Survival Scenario,” and “Crossover.” These activities allowed the students to work with other students whom they don't know very well, to interact with people of diverse socio-cultural and economic background, and to develop their interpersonal skill─a skill which is an important ingredient in peace-building.

The activities also provoked some interesting insights from the students. “Peace is a group effort,” according to Lynnette Go, a grade five pupil. “So if you will work for it all by yourself, you cannot achieve peace.”

“Making decisions is not easy,” said AJ Castro, a fourth year high school student. “We have to listen to other people’s opinions and perspectives. And if we want to have peace in Mindanao, we must listen to what our Mindanaoan brothers and sisters have been clamoring.”

Then on the 26th and 27th of November, the officers and some members of the Samahang Araling Panlipunan joined the Peace Camp held at the Holy Cross College of Sasa, Inc. It was participated by the grade school and high school students from different schools in Davao City.At the Peace Camp, the participants presented their yells, joined in group discussions, shared their insights, showcased their talents during the bonfire cum cultural show, and marched for quite a distance to tell the people what the youth want for Mindanao: peace. The Peace camp culminated with the awarding of certificates and giving of posters to the participating schools.

But, one might ask, how can mere high school and grade school students bring peace in Mindanao?

They barely can, but celebrating the Mindanao Week of Peace is a strong testament that Marisians are not oblivious to the realities outside the school, and that they, too, long for peace, as do other Mindanaoans.