Jose Clemente and Maguid Maruhom attended in December 2009, an interfaith conference in Phnom Penh, Cambodia organized by Georgetown University’s Berkley Center and the World Faiths Development Dialogue.  This workshop-consultation was to discover “the role of faith-inspired practitioners and organizations on issues of global development and equity in Southeast Asia.”

After the conference Joey and Maguid visited the Genocide Museum, S21. In the link below, please read Joey’s personal account of  his visit there.

Genocide Museum, Phnom Penh

“Be conscious of the environmental situation and cooperate in every activity that protect nature.” is one of the deep insights that students for the Immaculate Heart Academy in Dumalinao, Zamboangadel Sur shared after their exposure on December 2 at Leon Kilat, a Muslim Community in Pagadian City. As it was feeding day in the community when they arrived, they were able to experience assisting the women volunteers as well as interacting with the children. Heading towards the classroom by walking and crawling on the narrow bamboo bridges proved to be a challenge. The amount of garbage they saw was equally disturbing. The whole experience became an opportunity for the students to reflect on how the urban poor live, where they get their livelihood, where the children play and basically, how the families survive. But they also felt the warm accommodation of the people despite their poverty.

In class the following morning, they shared more reflections:

• the exposure was an eye opener on the situation of other people outside and beyond their own communities
• they should lessen their complaints in their own families because the situation of the people in Leon Kilat is much worse
• they should be more sensitive when they demand from their parents and think of those children who have nothing even playgrounds
• they should be aware of how their parents strive and work hard to make them comfortable and satisfied
• they are very thankful for the experiencing the short but challenging exposure

December 1, 2009, Pagadian City. A Forum for Peace was conducted by Ummah Fi Salam and the Interfaith Forum in partnership with the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society at Camila Hotel. The forum aimed to:

• ventilate apprehensions and doubts on the peace negotiation process;
• instill consciousness on the comprehensive peace initiatives;
• develop critical analysis on Mindanao situation;
• draw sensible ideas on the current issues; and
• appreciate the Tri-people’s aspirations for peace in Mindanao.

Speakers include Prof. Rudy Rodil for the MOA-AD controversy. He was a former member of the GRP Peace Negotiating Panel. Prof. Aboud Syed Lingga, Executive director of the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies discussed “Alternatives to MOA-AD.” Guiamel Alim, Chairperson of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civli society talked about  “Bangsamoro Development Agenda.”

The activity which was part of the celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace was attended by people from different sectors, academe, military, PNP, covil society groups, church, moro communities, human rights defenders among others.

As part of the celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace, the coastal communities of Ummah Fi Salam initiated a clean-up drive in Barangays Dumagoc, Sta. Lucia, Santiago and San Pedro. The different schools, military, local police, the barangay workers and members of the religious groups and civil society organizations participated in this event.

With black shirts and white candles, the Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace expressed solidarity with the journalists in Pagadian City in condemning the brutal massacre in Maguindanao last November 23 which claimed more than 50 lives.

by Leah Agonoy, PRO Ummah Fi Salam, Pagadian City

In a candle lighting conducted by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Zamboaga del Sur and Pagadian City Press Club, Inc. and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas last November 30, priests headed by Fr. Felix Tigoy and Fr. Dan O’Malley together with Muslims headed by Sultan Maguid Maruhom and members of the interfaith forum lighted candles with the local journalists in the city in front of the City Hall.

“The civil society groups and the interfaith forum is in solidarity with the media in condemning this act and in crying for justice,” says Sultan Maguid Maruhom, Muslim convener of the Interfaith Forum.

He added that with the international pressure on the government right now, claiming justice for the victims is visible. Maruhom also said that “there must be a conspiracy in the conduct of the massacre as this could not be done by a single person and I think that we have to demand that all those involved be arrested.”

KBP Regional Chairperson Alejandro Gesta in his talk said that the incident in Maguindanao shocked the whole media industry, but the same tragedy made the media even stronger to stand for truth and justice.

“Let us all pray that here in Pagadian no incident such as that in Maguindanao would happen here,” Gesta added.

In the said activity which is part of the celebration of Mindanao Week of Peace , student-journalists from the different high schools in the city also attended the event.

A welcome and thanksgiving activity was organized on November 26, the scheduled arrival in Pagadian City of Fr. Mick Sinnot. The activity was well attended by different groups. Governor Aurora Cerilles attended in behalf of the Crisis Management Committee. Different Muslims organizations in the province, church groups, NGOs and POs and students from various schools also participated. Experiences that deepened the relationship between Christians and Muslims were shared.

The special children of Hangop Kabataan Foundation, also founded by Fr. Mick shared a dance number. Though Fr. Mick faled to arrive, due to a prohibition by his mediacla doctor, he was able to deliver his message to the crowd via phone.

Muslims joined ‘Peace Week’ celebration in Mindanao. The Ummah Fi Salam in Pagadian city led the Muslim communities in participating the week long celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace 2009 launched last November 16 with a Walk for Peace, Walk for a Cause around Pagadian.

The celebration in Pagadian was spearheaded by the Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace where UFS is an active member.

Community leaders and members from Darusalam, Leon Kilat, Kawit and Santiago walked with their Christian and Lumad (Indigenous Peoples) brethrens at around 5:30 in the morning around the city while a short program was conducted at the St. Columban Gym after the walk.

In the same walk for peace, the military and the local police together with most secondary schools and colleges in the city also joined the walk. The Bankers Association also participated in the said launching.

Schedule of Activities:

November 28 – clean-up drive along the coasts of Barangays Dumagoc, Sta. Lucia, Santiago and San Pedro all in Pagadian City

November 29 – Concert for Peace at the Gaisano Capital Mall;

November 30 – candle lighting at 6:00 pm in front of the City Hall for the slain journalists in the city and those included in the November 23 massacre in Maguidanao province.

December 1 – Forum for Peace conducted by Ummah Fi Salam and the Interfaith Forum in partnership with the Consortiuum of Bangsamoro Civil Society at Camila Hotel, Pagadian City. The forum was designed to ventilate apprehensions and doubts on the peace negotiation process; instill consciousness on the comprehensive peace initiatives; develop critical analysis on Mindanao situation; draw sensible ideas on the current issues; and appreciate the Tri-people’s aspirations for peace in Mindanao.

December 2 – dialogue between the civil society and the local government unit along with other government agencies at the Liga City Convention Center at around 2pm.

The celebration commemorated on December 10 along with the celebration of the 61^st Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights where a photo exhibit was conducted by different groups like the Ummah Fi Salam, the Social Action Center, Sabakan and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines in partnership with the Peace and Conflict Journalism.

The Mindanao Week of Peace was conceptualized in the late 90s in Zamboanga City then advocated by the Bishop-Ulama Conference and later the Malacanang released Presidential Proclamation No. 127 s. 2001 to celebrate the Mindanao Week of Peace every last Thursday of November until the first Wednesday of December every year in the whole island of Mindanao.

On November 23, the SOS Team gave a basic orientation seminar on the Spirituality for Stewarsdhip to members of the PPC and head of the ministries and organizations of the Parish of Our Lady of Fatima in Barangay Lawa, Calamba, Laguna. Through the workshops and video presentationof Gimong, the participants shared their dreams and plans for the parish. They spoke of their deeper awareness on the adverse effects of global warming, the need to better human and ecological relationships and the challenge to set examples as leaders of the church.

As we wind down our relief operations with Christian Aid, COPE, UPA, ACT, the Embassy of Japan and HECS, we gear up for the rehabilitation and rebuilding stage which will grab our attention for the next 4-5 months.  This video shows our relief operations in the urban poor communities in Bagong Silangan, Sabah and Kasiglahan.

"Save Sierra Madre, Stop Laiban Dam"

The Agtas of Quezon concluded their 148-kilometer march from Quezon to Manila on November 10. The march started on November 4 from Gen. Nakar, Quezon and ended at Katipunan Road, Quezon City where they were greeted by students, professors and NGOs at the Miriam College where they stayed for the night. They plan to have a dialogue with Malacañang and other government agencies in the succeeding days.

The Laiban dam is a joint-venture project of the San Miguel Corporation and the MWSS. Designed to divert water from two river systems in the Sierra Madre—Kaliwa and Kanan—to supply potable water to Metro Manila, the Agtas fear the destruction of their eco-system and a possible catastrophe during an earthquake as it lies on an active fault.

“Save Sierra Madre, Stop Laiban Dam”

The children singing the BEC theme song

As early as May, Rev. Fr. Melchor “Chong” Balinggao, Parish Priest of the Mother of the Redeemer Parish in Caloocan City, Diocese of Novaliches, started re-organizing and strengthening the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) or Ugnayan. Explanations and presentations on BECs were integrated in homilies and community consultations.

Selection of Officers

By July, the parish started the process of consultation for the new sets of Ugnayan officers. After each community mass, the people nominated at least five (5) representatives. These nominees attended a 3-day formation program on the Spirituality of Stewardship (Buhay Katiwala) facilitated by Fr. Chong and Sr. Frances Mangabat, SDS. A panel also interviewed the nominees. A Team Building Seminar-Workshop culminated the selection process where the official sets of leaders were announced. The process underscores the importance of the undergoing the whole formation process in the selection of the new officers. Finally, the officers were installed on September 19 by Rev. Fr. Rudy Tulibas, Vicar Forane of Christ the King Vicariate, in behalf of Bishop Antonio Tobias, DD. The event coincides with the 2nd anniversary of Fr. Chong in the parish and his 12th sacerdotal anniversary.

On-going Activities

For the whole month of October, Thanksgiving Masses were held at the Ugnayan. The focus now is the ministries in each Ugnayan as part of the strengthening of the BECs.

the nominees

Fr. Chong Balinggao

Sr. Frances Mangabat, SDS

panel interview

Ms. Dory Zuñiga

group activity

oathtaking

Fr. Chong with Fr. Rudy Tulibas

aknowledgement of the out-going leaders

installation coinciding with the anniversary of Fr. Chong

Thanksgiving Mass in the Ugnayan

Ugnayan The Risen Lord

Ugnayan St. Joseph the Worker

note: update sent by James Cornel and Fely Judar

The Embassy of Japan and Christian Aid together with its partner organizations COPE, UPA and SPI gave food and non-food assistance to over 400 families in Suburban, Montalban. The operation was to bring relief to this community ravaged by typhoon Ondoy or Ketsana. This Oct 28, 2009 undertaking could not have happened without the help of the community leaders as well as local Barangay and Municipal officials.

ASCENSION OF THE LORD PARISH CONDUCTS AWARENESS DRIVE

By John Q. Miro

Inspired by the success of the Parish Awareness campaign last year, the Ascension of the Lord followed it up by organizing Parish Awareness Sundays with the aim of ensuring the growth of the parishioner’s participation in the mass and Kasaulogan sa Pulong and concretize stewardship as spirituality and as part of Church call.

“Stewardship is our responsibility as being created by God and our mission as baptized disciples of Christ,” said Fr. Bong Dublan during the launching and orientation of the campaign last September 7.

“In order to enhance our stewardship we must make sure that it will not only be a title but will be seen by the way of life that we will be living,” added Fr. Dublan emphasizing the need to put into action what has been inherent to us.

Last year’s campaign focused on the theme belongingness to the parish community and this year’s awareness Sundays has put it to the next level by concentrating on stewardship through the four core values, namely: Identity, Trust, Gratitude and Love.

This year’s Parish Awareness Sundays kicked off last September 20 on the core value Identity by focusing on the Stewardship on Vocation where more than 35 religious congregations converged on the parish grounds and conducted a Food Festival with the theme “Who we are before God.” The religious and lay alike spent time talking and conversing with each other for the lay to become aware that vocation is also their responsibility by igniting the awareness of vocation in the family. “People nowadays are only thinking on profession not on vocation, I urge you to support the call for vocation,” said Fr. Dublan.

On the core value Trust, the parish focused on the Stewardship on Ecology by conducting Tree Planting and Clean-Up activities. Last September 19, the parish youth organized a tree planting activity at the Malagos Watershed, the main source of drinking water in Davao City. The following day, September 20, parishioners and members of the parish core organizations also conducted a tree planting and clean-up activity in the vicinity of the parish. GKK members also conducted the same in their respective areas.

On the third Sunday, the focus was on the core value Gratitude where the parish organized the “Eyeball with Yuppies,” a consultation activity between the parish and the youth and young professionals. Representatives from BLinQue Tech computers opened the affair by awaking curiosity of the parish’s yuppies thru their exhibits. They also talked about the most high-end computer gadgets in the market today. After, the consultation activity started with the parish emphasizing the need for the young professionals to become organized as a group and for them to be encouraged in being active in parish activities.

October 4 marked the end of the Parish Awareness Sundays and concentrating on the core value “Love,” the parish emphasized on the Stewardship on Social Concerns with the launching of the Parish Credit Cooperative and the rekindling of the Parish Food and Health Program. Before the start of each mass, indigent members of the parish community gave testimonies on how their lives were improved by the Food and Health Program. Also, during the offertory of each mass, parishioners showed their love for the poor by giving rice, canned goods, sugar, coffee and other food items which will augment the supplies needed for the conduct of the program.

Fr. Dublan emphasized that the Parish’s continuing campaign on instilling awareness among its members does not end during the campaign period but what is more important is for the parishioners to commit in trying to build up the community as stewards of God.

Here are some updates from our staff Richard Vergara who is currently based in Pagadian City with our partner Ummah Fi Salam.

SOS seminar by the UFS core group

prayer rally for Fr. Sinnot

repair of Santiago foot bridge through bayanihan

Gender and Development training

Laling with students in Arabic class

adult literacy class with Sr. Agnes Suarin, CB

Neighborhood Associations – sets of newly elected officers, DOLE registration

Interfaith Video - 16 minute video done, for finalization

Adult Literacy Program – started with new batch last September 29 with 15 students

Agar-agar Project - production doing well, selling cost rising

Spirituality of Stewardship - seminar given to adult literacy students very fun and interesting, with full support of Sultan Maguid Maruhom; module-making workshop given to UFS core group attended by 12 people; first dry-run of modules done in community of Leon-Kilat on October 16. Candi facilitated, Meriam documented, Bong synthesized and Lea photo documented.

Construction of new 80 meters of bamboo footbridge in Santiago community through Bayanihan. The community was able to raise more than P4,000 through the efforts of the community organizer, women’s group and the neighborhood association.

Adult and Young Arabic class in Leon Kilat. Rasma “Laling” Aliyan, an Arabic student of Aid Banale from the community volunteered to teach Arabic to 20 adult and 20 young students. The classes started right after the last Ramadan and is being held every Saturday and Sunday in the same classroom used by Sr. Agnes Suarin, CB for the Adutl Literacy Program.

Livelihood Project. With the help of Sr. Agnes and her linkage with the DSWD,  the processing for a business capital for five qualified women in the community is now on-going.

Bridge Repair Near Classroom. Through the suggestion of Sr. Agnes, the community will work on the repair of the bridge near the classroom used for the Adult Literacy and Arabic classes. The people will contribute his or her time and skills while funding support is being sourced outside.

Gender and Development Seminar. Saida invited GOs, the PNP and the Provincial GAD Council to give a one day GAD seminar to the communities of Darusalam and Santiago.

Leon Kilat Religious Group. Meriam was recently elected as the secretary of their religious council. The council also plans to initiate repairs of the mosque and the Madrasah through community efforts and outside help.

Our dear Board Member and former Executive Director Fr. Nonong Pili celebrated his 36th sacerdotal anniversary last October 16 at the St. Joseph Formation House. Relatives and close friends came and enjoyed the simple salu-salo of goto, lumpia, and balot.