To foster the advocacy of a Culture of Peace and Respect for Diverse Cultural Society, DepEd-Division of Lanao del Norte held the 5th Northern Mindanao Youth Peace Village Residential Experience (NMYPVRE) last December 12-16, 2009 at the Peace Village, Kalinaw-Kalilintad Integrated Peace School, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte in support of the mandate of Executive Order No. 570 of her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo with the theme “Building a Community of Lasting Peace”.
The conduct of the event aims to revisit values and attitudes towards diversity, cultural difference, tolerance and human dignity; manifest behaviors showing camaraderie and brotherhood with fellow participants regardless of culture, tribe, creed and socio-economic status; promote the spirit of respect and understanding of one’s cultural belief in a complex and culturally diverse society; develop social interaction skills to promote peaceful relations among people of diverse group and communities; and realize the need for happy co-existence in Lanao del Norte.
The newly conducted 5th NMYPVRE provided an opportunity for school children of diverse culture, belief, practice, and faith coming from the different divisions of Region X and other regions as well to meet and happily co-exist for five days and four nights in the village as they play, eat, learn and have fun together. Most specially, the 5th NMYPVRE provided them a chance to exchange and
share cultural practices which can help eliminate the imaginary wall that divide people of different cultures.
The forty-two (42) peace advocates from Iligan City headed by Mr. Henry Abueva, forty-two (42) from Misamis Oriental headed by Mrs. Fermina Labis, thirty-seven (37) from
an opening program at CADPAC,
For the fifth year in a row, DepEd-Lanao del Norte with the initiative of our Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Maria Luisa B. Mutia was been very successful in making a unique teambuilding experience possible for young villagers from conflict and non-conflict zones. This includes interactive tasks and peace building activities aside from providing the participants a free pass to explore and enjoy the entire peace village to experience the serenity that it offers.
On the second day, the traditional morning preliminaries were still been used to start the day right. At 4:30 in the morning, a soft music was played in the air for thirty minutes to wake the peace advocates up. All of them vigorously went then to Kapatagan Central ES for the Hataw. A Shower of Peace followed after which was facilitated by Mrs. Arlene Manginsay, the Values Coordinator of DepEd, Division of Lanao del Norte.
Moreover, with the Knowing Me, Knowing You activity, participants were given a chance to open up and tell their stories. In this manner, they were able to build friendships that may last for years. The fun and games they engaged in within the day helped them build the foundation of trust with one another and, in some way, overcome personal biases against cultures that are truly different from one’s own culture. Also, the conduct of the Ecumenical Prayer and Declaration of Peace added the spice to grace the second day. A cultural show - turned to street dancing - ended up the day’s activities with excitement, fun and pleasure.
On the third day, the Universal Peace Federation, a group of international peace ambassadors coming from foreign countries such as Costa Rica, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Paraguay and United States came to Lanao del Norte to pay a visit to the Peace Village at Kalinaw-Kalilintad Integrated Peace School, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.
After welcoming the international peace ambassadors at Mucas pier, a short program was held at the municipal hall of Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte. Hon. Benjie Y.
On the other hand, Dr. Maria Luisa B. Mutia, Schools Division Superintendent of DepEd-Lanao oriented the foreign visitors with the PV history. While three young PV residents shared their respective residential experiences when they participated the 5th Division Peace Village Residential Experience last October, 2009. After which, the group headed directly to the
In the afternoon, another program was held at the MCC stadium, Tubod, Lanao del Norte. This time, understanding not only our own culture but other cultures as well was given emphasis as each participating division showcased their respective cultures and traditions through their tribal / cultural dances.
Generally, this year’s 5th NMYPVRE was quite a very successful one because each of the delegates took part in planning and conducting some of the activities especially on the third and fourth day of the event.
5th NORTHERN MINDANAO YOUTH PEACE VILLAGE RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE PARTICIPANTS
REGION / DIVISION/s | No. of PARTICIPANTS |
OROQUIETA | 18 |
MISAMIS ORRIENTAL | 42 |
MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL | 20 |
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY | 27 |
LANAO DEL NORTE | 227 |
ILIGAN | 42 |
TANGUB | 24 |
GINGOOG | 11 |
BUKIDNON | 10 |
MALAYBALAY | 20 |
VALENCIA | 37 |
CARAGA | 11 |
OZAMIZ | 16 |
INTERNATIONAL PEACE AMBASSADORS WHO PARTICIPATED THE EVENT
NATIONALITY | FULL NAME | POSITION |
| Dr, Hyun Jin Moon | Chair, Global Peace Festival Foundation |
| Mrs. Jun Sook Moon | Wife Of Dr. Hyun Jin Moon |
| Dr. Robert Schuller | Writer |
| Mrs. Donna Michelle Schuller | Writer |
| Hon. Emanuel Jones | |
| Mr. Shawn Hatleli | President, Usher’s New Look |
| Mr. Markandey Rai | Chief, United Nations Human Settlements Program Global Parliamentarians And Trade Unions, Monitoring And Research Department |
| Hon. Tan Sri Zaleha Ismael | President, UPF |
Paraguay | Hon Lilian Graciela Samaniego Gonzales | Senator, Chamber Of Senators Of The |
Nepal | Mr. Prankash Kunwar | Additional Inspector General Of |
India | Amb. Krishna Venkatachalam Rajan | President, Association Of Indian Diplomats |
India | Mrs. Geetha Rajan | Trustee, UPF-India |
Costa Rica | Amb. Dr. Oscar Alvarez Araya | Former Anbassador To Taiwán, |
Pakistan | Mr. Sajid Ishaq Shandu | Chairman, Interfaith League Against Poverty |
Philippines | Dr. Primitivo D. Chua | President, UPF Philippines |
Philippines | Mrs. Josephine C. Dominguez | Undersecretary, Office Of The Presidential Liason Officer For Political Affairs |