4TH NORTHERN MINDANAO PEACE VILLAGE

We all want peace. Building on this is another simple but pure belief that peace is borne of understanding while peace, in turn enriches understanding.

Last October 27-30, 2008, I, together with a grade six pupil (Danny A. Dela Peña), went to Tubod, Lanao Del Norte to attend the 4^th Northern Mindanao Peace Village through a memorandum sent to our school by the Assistant Division Superintendent, Mrs. Emmalinda Duhaylungsod…

We arrived at the Mindanao Civic Center (MCC) past 9 in the evening on the 27^th. We were able to witness the Cultural Show of each division. Peace advocates showcased the rich cultures of their division in the from of dance, songs, and rituals… After the cultural show, we stayed at the Village (wherein each division has a cottage and a learning hub)… Some of us slept at the MCC Gym for the cottage cannot accommodate all of us.

The following day started with “hataw”, a dance exercise which was led by the teachers of the Division of Lanao Del Norte. After the hataw, Shower of Peace followed…The delegates were amazed and enjoyed the shower of water sprayed from the fire trucks… After that, we had our breakfast…

The topics included in the conference for the pupil/student-delegates were:

1. Learning the Ways of Peace

2. Unlearning the Ways of Violence

3. Kids say “No to Guns”

4. Kids Seal Their Commitments to Peace

Some of the activities were:

1. Peace Congress

-This event allows the young to learn to solve problems and think critically on issues of peace, conflict and violence. They also develop camaraderie and interpersonal relationships. Invited in this activity are the officials from the Provincial Government of Lanao down the municipal mayors, and heads of the each department in the province…

2. Dancesports

- A showcase of talents in the modern Latin-American Dances: Cha-cha-cha, rumba, boogie, and samba…

3. Visit to Learning Hubs

-Learning hubs combine learning and fun. They allow ample space for children to explore, express themselves, discover and learn with fellow learners. They promote activities that seek to blend peace education with curricular content. Each subject in the curriculum has a hub, i.e., SCIENCE, MATH, ENGLISH/FILIPINO, ALS, ALIVE, TLE/EPP, MAKABAYAN,OTHERS…

4. Tree Planting

5. Making of Peace Art Gallery

- The Peace Wall is an outdoor gallery of children’s art about conflict and non-violence. The children render their visions of peace and their ideal world in words and drawings.

For the teachers, our topics/activities were:

1. Visit to Learning Hubs

2. Love Power

3. Peace Reflections

4. True Love Power

5. Student Mediation/Students as Mediators

6. Non-Violent Communication

- A concept from Marshall Rosenberg. He shows us how to reach beneath the surface and discover what is alive and vital within us, and how all our nations are based on human needs that we are seeking to meet… When we understand and acknowledge our needs, we create a shared basis for a more satisfying relationship-a deeper connection with others and ourselves.

Danny A. Dela Pena, my grade six pupil

Me, during the registration........

Hataw....at early in the morning

The Village.........

Shower of Peace............

Shower......pa rin....

Delegates raised their hands as a symbol of thanksgiving.......

At the back is the MCC Gym....

Participants hold their hands showing their unity in their quest for lasting peace.....

We all stand together in unity..............

A session on "Student Mediation"........

Fr. Tony Salas talks about non-violent communication..., a concept originated from Marshall Rosenberg.....

One side of the stage....

The other side of the stage.....

The lectern.....

One of the provincial officials who participated in the Peace Congress

Provincial Vice-Governor, Irma Ali attended the Congress with her board members....

Some of the delegates from the Division of Bukidnon.......

ALIVE HUB......

a teacher shows her expertise in table setting.

TLE Hub.........

English Hub........

Arts and Crafts.........

Science Hub...

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Some of the delegates of Bukidnon...click... ngek, lako naapil..huhuhuhu..

Danny and a friend (from Kisolon Central ES)...at the MCC grand oval..

La lang..hehehehehe...ako na pud...

Mrs. Mapanao of Kisolon Central ES......

Mrs. Jean Gagarani and her student, of Bukidnon National School of Home and Industries (BNSHI)..

Tunga-tunga sa village, adunay......................canyon!

MCC Canteen........

para sa Peace Art Gallery...

The DepEd-Region X Regional Director (in pink), Dr. Estrella Abid-Babano...

The secretary of the Department of Eduaction, Hon. Jesli A. Lapus

Delegates from Bukidnon with Secretary Lapus...

The Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Gloria D. Benigno...

Some of the tarpaulins displayed during the peace village.....

The tarpaulin of Secretary Lapus welcoming him as Datu Bantugan...

Pauli nako.........hehehehe.....

Uli na pud si Danny........

Nakatulog intawon ang bata sa bus....gkapoy siyag ayo....

From the village, I learned that Peace Education is not just about what happens in school. It is not about what we need to know to memorize to please others. But Peace Education is about how we can help build the future and make our world a more peaceful place to live in…

GOD BLESS US ALL PIPZ!!!!!!!!