Sustainable Peace Activation In Mindanao - The Land Of Promise

Mindanao or “the land of promise” is the second largest island in the Philippines. It’s the only area of the Philippines where people of the different faiths are sharing their promise to develop sustainable peace for the new generation.

During October 28-30, 2011, Peace Revolution participated in the Republic of the Philippines Department of Education’s* the 7th Peace Village Residential Experience (PVRE)**, Kalinaw-Kalilintad Integrated Peace School, The Peace Village, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte. We were invited by the Ministry of Education in October 2011 to organize Inner Peace Time sessions with Filipino students in the Peace Villages.

Students in Philippines experiencing "true inner peace" using meditation
(Courtesy of Peace Rebel Jergen Buot Quihoy)

The program is taking the initiative to give school children of different backgrounds a chance to meet and happily co-exist through promoting the spirit of respect and understanding regardless of social and religious differences. It aims to allow students and teachers in the education region X of the Philippines to experience peace through different kind of activities such as peace prayer, peace parade, peace concert, tree planting, workshop on non-violent communication and of course Inner Peace Time (IPT) using meditation.

Filipino teachers meditating online with Peace Revolution
(Courtesy of Peace Agent Connie Emborong)

Our staff including a professional meditation instruction will participate in this activity by hosting a basic meditation for 500 Filipino teachers as well as 80 principals from the region at the Peace Village, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte. Additionally, a presentation ‘meditation and its scientific benefits’, will be presented by a Filippino Peace Agent Connie Emborong. Connie, who completed the Peace Revolution Educator’s Fellowship in July 2011, is the coordinator of the PVRE, as well as, a division peace education coordinator for the Department of Education in the Philippines.

Some schools in Philippines introduce Inner Peace Time before class
(Courtesy of Peace Rebel Jergen Buot Quihoy)

The revolutionary element in this experience is meditation. It will be the first time it will be introduced in the PVRE, and because the practice of meditation is focusing the mind and bringing it to a standstill in the center of the body, it is a universal factor for all people and children regardless of background of religion. Connie says, “Some people may think it’s about religion, but it is more about developing inner peace and has nothing to do with religion. It is keeping the mind in the center (of the body) and making you more mindful in your thoughts, in your deeds, in your words and your actions in the way you deal with the persons around you.”

Young Filipino students meditating online with Peace Revolution

Peace Agent Connie blazes forward, “Allow the fire of your heart to burn for peace. Peace starts with the children. (We can all) do little things that (we) know that can contribute to achieve peace, inner peace or world peace (we all play our little part)”.

The Peace Revolution’s participation:

Day 1 – October 28, 2011

Participating in an ecumenical prayer

Day 2 – October 29, 2011

A guided meditation session for 22 PSDS, 31 Secondary Principals and 22 Central Principals

Day 3 – October 30, 2011

A guided meditation session for all 500 or more teacher participants from the whole region X.

¹ Region X-Northern Mindanao

² This program is prepared by Peace Agent Connie Emborong who is an ESP-1/Division Peace Coordinator. It is under a supervision of MARIA LUISA B. MUTIA, Ed. D. CESO V, Schools Division Superintendent.

Watch the movie of the PIPO event “the True Idol of Peace” in the Philippines

The True Idol of Peace in this Century

Submitted on 17 Oct 2011 07:36

Zoneziwoh Mbondgulo

This is inspiring. amazing dear friend/colleague. I am impress at your dedication in bringing peace to these student. keep up the good work.

PIPO

Submitted on 17 Oct 2011 17:49 from Ariya App

David Santos

it is amazing!!!

Submitted on 20 Oct 2011 05:26 from Ariya App

Muhammad Shahbaz

Simply Marvelous.... Well Done...

Submitted on 20 Oct 2011 06:09 from Ariya App

Muhammad Saqib Irshad

you did great job .. very well done...

Submitted on 20 Oct 2011 18:12 from Ariya App

John Oliver Tablazon

I also would like to share this journal to the conflict areas in Sarangani Province whhere NPA lives. Well be going there every last week of the month. Some will give culture of peace seminras, but this one is another kind.

Submitted on 21 Oct 2011 14:35 from Ariya App

Jergen Quihoy

thank you my dear brothers and sisters.

Submitted on 31 Oct 2011 14:38 from Ariya App

Jergen Quihoy

Inner Peace Experience Journal #1

One day , before our division Peace coordinator left Lanao del Norte, Philippines to attend retreat in Thailand last 2nd week of June, 2011 . She invited us to join or sign-in at peace revolution website to experience about peace.

When I sign-up at peace revolution web site , I didn't know where page to surf-in,where to begin and I didn't know on what to do and neither know what peace revolution was? But, I believed in the Power of Destiny..

I consider my life today with inner peace that built-inside of me a full of commitment, blessings and serenity .. All the things happened in my life have meaning. Meaning of peace in+peace-out that leads to sustainable world peace.

Submitted on 2 Nov 2011 14:37 from Ariya App

Jergen Quihoy

Completely Still in Meditation Practice:

For how many days, week past by... I was longing to experience the stillness of the mind during the meditation but I failed to do it but still I experienced some improvement on my meditation practice. My experience in meditation done last October 28 was different from the last (october 30) meditation . It was completely still.. This was the story/experience.....

When I closed my eyes , after we had an exercise of breath-in breath-out 10 times , I let my mind chose an object for visualization .. I saw a small bright yellow sun. This object became bigger and bigger and it's color from bright yellow was shift o orange but it was not a hot temperature. Later , the orange bigger sun became bigger and bigger and it shift in white color sun, very radiant sun and still there was no ht temperature .Bubbles came along the way, many radiant bubbles from tiny to bigger ones . It was so cool. After which, The empty space became purple in color with no walls and ceiling. When we ought to shallow the object , when I swallowed and brought to the center of my body which is abdomen . I saw the spot and this little spot began to grow bigger and bigger.This bubble inside me began to expand bigger and bigger until such time I saw my self inside the big bubble and this balloon covered the whole space of the gymnasium. I don't feel anymore that my heart was breathing, a if I have no life . I've no longer heard the beating of my heart . Lastly, when lp john said , we are about to end the meditation, lets breath-in breath-out, and mind you , my heartbeat was came back beating normally, my life was back again...When lp jhon, asked me after our conversation, he asked me if those balloons with in me was still there inside of me, I said yes,..... That's the wonderful experience I ever had.

May I extend my gratitude to peace revolution who sent peace revolution team in the Philippines. I appreciate Lp John in his teaching meditation. He is really a teacher . He motivated the participants before practicing the meditation. My whole body was relaxed and I feel the fulfillment and serenity and loving kindness.

I therefore conclude that when we peace-in ,we peace out and this peace-in peace out that leads to world peace. We believed we can change the world.