On April, I will form part of a huge focused-group discussion on peace in Mindanao. On March 13-14, 2009, the team who will do this research in respective local areas have already gathered to discuss the 'technical' necessities of reviewing and revisiting and orienting researchers on the do's and don'ts in conducting FGDs. This is about Konsult Mindanaw Project.
The Project is very huge... and will answer querries on redefining peace--inter-personal and intra-personal in nature.... Individual 'options' and suggestions for peace in Mindanao will also be asked to the participants....
True (enough), the participants in the activity on March 13 and 14 were well-versed on research yet they also fail to recognize one thing....the essence of 'soon' to be research undertaking...
The Project is a Community Dialogue.... the results of the FGD is crucial to community relations... it may bring peace or even worsen the divide between the Christians, Muslims, and Lumads....
The challenge is for the project to have
a.) a research team that has fair judgement on the GrP-MILF relations;
b.) facilitators that understand well Mindanao History of Peace and Conflict and its dynamics;
c.) documenters that will not document personal views; and
d.) participants that are open and sincere to share stories of victories and frustrations.
This is beyond research. This is a community dialogue. This is a small contribution to peace process. This is about bringing peace to Mindanao. This is qualifying peace.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Lost (again) and Found
I have not ‘formally’ written something (a note or whatever) for the past month (I think). This is another informal ‘thought’… Today is March 25, 2009. After a few hours of visiting places we call peace and development communities, I felt tired. I had lunch with some office mates and a common friend in the office. The summer heat can be felt now… even inside the airconditioned room… so we decided to put-off the lights. It helped at least. Thanks to the climate change campaign.
I would like to share what we have talked.
We were talking about power dynamics.
First, we were convinced that there shall be paradigm shift as to the way some head of offices should treat and react to things. We ended up believing that there has been continued ‘negative’ use of power and functions in the bureaucracy. Who’s who?
Second, we felt cheated by a system of miscommunication, tsismis (gossips), rumors, and popularity roaming around…. This has caused us a malicious thought that our older-role models-to-be has not done anything about this… rather… tolerate this kind of system.
Third, we might as well consider that we (the aspiring young professionals) will become one of them….. Huwag naman
I don’t want this thought to go astray… I would like to find… answers and more answers please….
Monday, March 9, 2009
AIM-World Bank Mindanao Bridging Leaders Programmme (MBLP)
CLICK ON PIC FOR LINK: The overall objective of the program is to build a cadre of Bridging Leaders in Mindanao, who can address issues like peace, education, health, land conflicts, poverty, and poor local governance, among others. The MBLP is implemented by AIM Center for Bridging Leadership.
Bamboo Craft
South Cotabato is proud of its bamboo craft. Please call ProTech Center for orders: 083-228-9738 or DTI SC at 083-2282659
B'LAAN INDIGENOUS NITO PRODUCTS
Let's help B'laan Communities in Tampakan earn additional income by buying their products made of nito. Products include plates, baskets, hats, and others. Call directly the Municipal Agriculture Office of Tampakan at (083) 227-2902.
SWEET, SPICY AND CRUNCHY
Mommy Juling's Atsara of BKR Foods continue to increase productivity, hence increasing its job generation and income. On its launching of its expanded processing plant on Oct. 23, BKR reported that it has increase its production from 60 kgs a month in the late 2008 to 600 kgs a month in 2010. Mommy Juling's Atsara is available at Gaisano Mall, KCC Malls, ACE Centerpoint and other convenient store. See its processing plant at Bayan, Polomolok, South Cotabato. Rona Ortiz will be happy to hear and know from you through (+63) 0919-461-0152.
CORN HUSK NOVELTY ITEMS
Help protect environment, help our rural women and out-of-school youth from Surallah. Buy Novelty items for Christmas and any occasions (souvenirs and corporate giveaways) to Pag-Asa Youth Association of Centrala, Allah Valley Crafters Association and Neza's Novelty Items. Text or call (+63) 0917-347-0832.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS! CLEANSE TO A HEALTHY LIFE
Food supplements are never expensive and should never be. What we need now are 100% natural products (no synthetic materials or foreign bodies and no artificial preservatives added). For Jong Bajunaid of Tupi, South Cotabato helping others is very important. Her advocacy of natural healing and remembering old ways of healing and bring that to present scenario is never old. Buy mangosteen tonic, papaya cider, and coco-papaya vinegar from JNB Industries in Tupi, South Cotabato. Mam Jong will be happy to share her knowledge on the wonders of natural healing. She is a Gawad-Saka Awardee (farmer-scientist). You can reach her through (+63) 0916-795-3154.
BDS
