Initiative for Peace: Focus in Mindanao

It is one of the best conferences that i experienced in my entire life! the whole thing was indeed fun and i am very happy that i was able to meet new people from all walks of life that i can say that already took a spot in my heart. Meeting such great people and experiences did not only enhanced my knowledge and skills but also strenthened my ideals, faith and moral values towards in meeting peace in my heart and in my community.

Just a short background in the coference that i attended:

The Luzon People

The conference taught us many things that will really play an important role in meeting our goals and aspirations from our country and for the whole world in general. The conference made us think again of the historical background of the conflicts we are experiencing in our communities.

We had really a hard time yet memorable sharing during that activity and the good thing here is that we were able to share our experiences of the conflicts which made the people from Luzon more aware of the situations in Mindanao. Moreover, we all able to trace down the history of conflicts which i believe is a basis that we really know something about the situation.

“People from all walks of life come together for peace and harmony.”

This is during our meeting too. We really had a fun time here together with the Mindanao People and with our two lovely facilitators, Meike and Danica. At first, our ideas crashed up until we had the chance to put everything in its proper places. Just a quick reflection, even if given just a little time, if we will just work together, then we can always do great things.

Here’s the final output from the people from Mindanao and the bottom image shows the final output from the people from Luzon. I believe that grouping us in that way was intentional and im happy with it because we were also able to see the differences of the two outputs which made us realize many many many things regarding the issues we are experiencing.

So enough for the introductory part and let’s proceed to my wonderful experiences with the most wonderful people i just met.

My trip began from Ipil to Zamboanga to Cebu. It’s my first time in Cebu City but it’s already my seconf time to stay in Cebu International Ariport since i went there already when i was arranged in a connecting flight bound for Davao City.

We stayed at Roseatte Pensionne and the room was really great and comfortable. So thank you so much guys! ^_^

This was one of the most first games we played during the conference. we really enjoyed this game together with the ‘Mingle Mingle’ game. All the games prepared by our facilitators are really great and exciting and i was really amazed on how they planned things and every game marks unique ideals and lessons that are important to learn.

During the conference, I am also brought with me some of the things i need like the Kit that they provided to us together with my ever loving sign pen i found in our cathedral here. I bet God gave that to me :) and the Dialogue Mindanaw and Healing the past, builiding the Future book by our beloved Bishop (now Archbishop) Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ DD.

these things really helped me a lot.

The conference will never be completed without the pictures that we took that will remind us of this very great conference where our friendship started and where our trust to each other was built.

This photo was taken at the local downtown branch of Shamrock, the home of Cebu’s finest delicacies. If ever you’ll go to Cebu, do not forget to buy Otap, Piaya, Lady Finger, Barquillos and many things here. They are sure fresh and tasty.

This was the beginning of our two-hour break where we went very wild to Ayala Mall and Shamrock. hahaha. Kidding. but yeah. we acted like kiddies that time XD

A pose outside Shamrock.

We really had fun during the short stay outside the conference venue but as adults, we are really much taught of keeping responsible of the time. So we tried to not be late for the next session since they gave us a long time to go around the city.

Thanks for the lovely people <3

In the conference, we had many many many activities starting from the warm up games, eating, sessions/seminars, trust games, film viewing, sharing time and the buddy group time. One of the most memorable activity that we had is this activity:

Step one: We were asked to make a circle and to sit close to each other. We thought that it was just a simple activity which will only require us to sit and to utter something random. But we were wrong. It gave us a shock of our lives. positive shock of course ;)

Step two:

The fun just began as you can see here.

We were asked to lie down to the persons beside us and to put our arms on top of our chest and to close our eyes. The whole thing is really great and that was the start of the unending trust to each other.

Step three:

They started to remove our chairs and to just lie down in our seatmates and to just relax on their bodies while other people are relaxing on yours too.

I think that it was Christal who took my chair out and i thought that she was just arranging my chair and i started to open my eyes and saw Carlos and told me to close my eyes and then I realized that they were actually getting my chair. And they always say, "Trust each other.”

To be honest, I almost fell down as i think that i was one of the first persons who took my chair off me. and my legs were really shaking that time as my position was relatively imbalanced to Laila’s body and to Rubie’s body too. But then we were happy that we had a successful activity.

I can also remember the usual places where we usually stay during our free time. Rooms 401 and 304. And ofcourse, our stay was made happier and alive because of the ice creams that we usally buy in…. *drum roll please*

hahaha. The convenient store is sure convenient. That’s the only thing that i can say.

This was one of the most memorable experiences i had during the entire duration of the conference. A fun night with our loving, beautiful and handsome facilitators. hahaha. yeah! they are all good looking and very brilliant minded at the same time. They are one of the most amazing persons we have met. Thank God for those wonderful persons in our lives.

The whole night was filled with happy moments, crazy acts and joyous dances and sharings.

The picture picture sessions at the convenient store was really amazing and plus, we got the chance to be with them for a longer time while having fun doing and talking about anything!

I really love the persons there.

When we went to Ayala Mall during our free time, I had the chance to go to National Bookstore to buy some construction papers for a simple surprise to our facilitators. I spent 2 nights and some hours looking for some simple origamis in youtube and tried to make them. I tried many things then i found a simple way to make a cat. but i failed because i lack time so that’s why, i was just able to make the cat’s head and just folded the letter and attached it to the head.

But i am happy that they liked my simple remembrance to them. I tried to make it as personal as posible.

Here are my paper cutouts and my letters too!

I am so happy that i was able to make the letters and the sad thing is, i was not able to take a picture of the final output because i was already rushing that time.

But im still happy.and i hope that i was able to make them happy as well

<3

Every things that starts also has an end. but that will not end the friendship and trust that we just built with the people in our lives.

This picture was taken as the first batch of the group is about to leave and to go back to their respective lives. back to normal they say but ofcourse, the memories will always stay in our hearts, forever.

Thank you so much guys.

These wonderful people, i will always treasure them in my life and will serve as my inspirations as i continue to celebrate, share and generate more lives with others.

SIDE TRIPS!

So so so, ofcourse, i intentioanlly extended my stay in Cebu City so that i can explore Cebu City. YAHOO! good thing that i was able to tour around with Maki, Razil, Mark, Jal, Hoby, KC and Joey. The whole thing was indeed fun and i am really happy :D

Cebu is really a great city with many beautiful scenic spots and lively places. And i am so happy :D really happy :D

Destinations: THE MAGELLAN’S CROSS, STO. NINO CHURCH, CEBU METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL, FORT SAN PEDRO, AYALA MALL, CHEAVER’S GRILLE

The picture on the right side of the screen shows a short yet informative information about this historical site which was built in 1941.

This is me at the site of the Magellan’s Cross. The place is really amazing and im very hapy to see this for the first time as this place is really historical in our Phlippine culture and history.

me with Maki, Mark and Razil. We really had a good time. but hell! the sun was really hotttttt that time. but still, we had a good time :3

A closer view inside. Then we bought some candles and lighted it inside the Sto. Nino church

What to expect here? People who are actually selling candles and they have lots of colored candles available which symbolizes many things.

From studies, work/career, love, prayers for the Baby Jesus, Mother Mary and Papa Joseph.

Ofcourse, to think, prayers are enough but then, candles make our prayers more meaningful as they can add more feelings especially when we are lighting them.

Here’s m candle. I offered it to God to thank Him for the wonderful experiences He is constantly giving me. and ofcourse, to my family and friends too :D

This is also the historical Sto. Nino church. The whole thing is really amazing. From the outside to the inside of the church.

A pose with Maki. One of newest and best buds :D He is really a great guy :D

Next destination was the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. Man, their Cathedral is so beautiful and the style is very antique. The gothic themed church is really a great spot and the park in fron of the church is really amazing and clean. i admire the cleanliness of the Cebuanos. KUDOS!

Then we went to Fort San Pedro and filled our cameras with vanities. hahaha

This is the very beautiful place.

You can see canons here, strange rocks, beautiful landscapes, castle-like architecture and many more things! The whole place is very silent and it will really soothe your tired body and mind.

“The strange vanity inside ourselves brought all of us closer to each other.”

-AHAHAHA

Did you guys know that we are also models? hahaha.

See? i told you :3

But then, some of them need to leave early to catch up there respective flight schedules. So sad but then i realized that staying with them is enough to complete my day.

Everyone left already except for Kc, Joan, Jal and Me. KC and Joan stayed in our room and we went to the mall too. Then, we went to Cheaver’s Grille which is really far from the downtown area. but we really had fun :D

Some of the food there plus the two lovely ladies. :D

So the day ended when we went back to our hotel room and stayed there for a while then we went to Pacific Hotel to lead KC and Joan there.

Then i packed my things and prepare for my departure :(

I overslpet. yes. but thanks to my mom who called me to check if i am already awake. MOM, thanks and I LOVE YOU! you are the best.

I went down at the hotel 10 minutes before the arrival of the van that will take me to the airport. 2.30 came and i was really worried already. I need to be at the Ariport 2 hours before my flight.

2.31… 2.32… 2.33… 2.34… i was sooo worried.

But God is guiding me. I saw a taxi approaching the hotel with Carlos, Bas, Billy, Michelle and Luiza. I am so thankful to them. Really tahnks guys :)

They also told me that they will stay with me until the van will arrive. that made my heart melt with joy ofcourse.

When it was already 3.50, they called a Taxi and finally, i left with a happy heart. I am so happy that i was with them when i left the hotel and i felt more their love and care to all of us. While on the taxi, i had a constant talk with the driver and i told the driver some of the things i learned in the conference. and i also told them that they are our friends who are helping our country. and we should be thankful to them.

everything went very smooth while im on the airport. and i’ll not go into the details of what happened there as i am tired now. hahaha