By Atty. Antonio P. Pekas
We practically wrapped up this issue and was about to put it to bed when an email arrived on the PEACE BUZZ.
Nowadays when people are saying that the acronym PNP means Patay Ng Patay, anything about peace means a big relief. Here is the concept (in toto) as sent by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.
In observance of the Peace Month celebration slated in September, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) shall lead a nationwide drive to promote greater consciousness and understanding among the Filipino people on the comprehensive peace process and to sustain institutional and popular support for and participation in the building of a culture of peace. This is pursuant to the Proclamation No. 675 series of 2004 whereby all the concerned government agencies and instrumentalities are encouraged to participate in and initiate activities to celebrate the National Peace Consciousness Month. For 2017, the theme of the celebration is “Puso Para sa Kapayapaan, Magkaisa para sa Bayan” which calls upon the Filipino people’s passion for peace. The people are called to be catalyst for peace that manifests in understanding the diversity of the Filipino communities and uniting amidst this diversity.
Peace Buzz: Byaheng Kapayapaan
To bring the government’s peace initiatives to the ground, a peace caravan will journey from north to south of the nation. The journey will start from Baguio City and will make stops in Quezon City, Legaspi City, Catbalogan City, Butuan City, Davao City, Iligan City and will end in Marawi City for the closing ceremony of the National Peace Consciousness Month.
Send-Off Program for the Peace Buzz
Prior to the send-off program on 21 September 2017, a group of Cordillera elders will perform customary prayer ritual to entreat the Hoy Creator to bless the Peace Buzz as it journeys from Cordillera to Marawi, on 15 September 2017 at Mount Data, Bauko, Mountain Province. Mount Data is symbolic for its mantle for giving life to the several river systems of Cordillera. The indigenous communities rely on this source for many if not all of their subsistence. An AVP of the ritual will be presented during the official Peace Buzz Send-Off Program on 21 September 2017.
The send-off program will commence on 21September in Baguio City where a program of activities is prepared in coordination with the different regional line agencies, local government units and sectors in the community to send off the Peace Buzz with an interfaith prayer for peace in the Philippines, the Cordillera, and for Marawi. The prayer will be offered by the representatives of the indigenous community , Muslim community, and other religious sector. This prayer for peace will be sent to the people of Marawi through the Peace Buzz and to be handed to the community leaders of Marawi in hope that this offering will convey the Cordillera people’s solidarity with them in their time of crisis. Part of the program will be messages of peace from the representative of Regional Development Council and Regional Peace and Order Council, an esteemed Cordillera elder who is an advocate for peace, and the Muslim community leader. Their messages of peace will be inspirited by the theme “Puso Para sa Kapayapaan, Magkaisa para sa Bayan”. The final message of peace will be given by the attending OPAPP executive who is a part of the Peace Buzz caravan. As the Peace Buzz departs from Malcolm Square, local talents will showcase cultural dance and music at the event.
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