Embracing Peace and Diversity. MSUans joined to celebrate National Peace Consciousness Month through KaPEACEtahan 2023 showcasing triculture heritage and promoting peace advocacies.
Photo by: Katrina Elises
In celebration of National Peace Consciousness Month and with its commitment to becoming the National Peace University, Mindanao State University-General Santos (MSU-GenSan) hosted KaPEACEtahan 2023 at the University Quadrangle, September 20.
The event commenced with a soft opening in the morning, featuring an exhibit at the university library lobby which was then succeeded by the rest of the activities in the afternoon including the Walk and Bike for Peace, Kite Flying for Peace, and was capped by the performances of the University's talents—Arya Band, Himig Marahuyo, and the Kabpapagariya Ensemble.
In an interview, one of the FPE students taking Bachelor in Physical Education, Jahnica Jhean V. Lopez, expressed her satisfaction and enthusiasm for being able to support the university's goal of becoming a national peace university even in minor means.
“In our little ways, maka help sad mi sa university to improve or makahatag mi ug effort or tabang na ma help namo ang MSU to reach kana nga goal which is I know dili siya sayon if ang admin or ang gamay lang”, Lopez said.
Joined by students of the Fundamentals of Peace Education (FPE) and National Service Training Program (NSTP), as well as their professors, the event aims to foster peace amid diversity in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), National Coordinating Body of UNESCO Clubs in the Philippines (NCBUCP), and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU).
MSU as National Peace University
Dr. Mario Aguja, Director of the Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao (IPDM) highlighted that there are ongoing efforts to achieve the status of a National Peace University for MSU.
“The effort is there to become a National Peace University. We are now going to congress, and may committee report na na napalabas to declare us as the National Peace University. But more than the declaration kasi, kailangan talaga natin na maghanap ng mga creative ideas to be worthy as one. Itong ating celebration ay bahagi ito, to put meaning to the words. Kasi everybody can claim naman na they are the national peace university, pero ano iyong esensya nito ay ito ‘yung ginagawa natin with our different initiatives,” Dr. Aguja remarked.
"We'll be there soon," he added, expressing his belief that the institution is making notable progress and advancements, particularly in comparison to other state universities and colleges.
Likewise, OPAPRU Senior Technical Staff, Mr. Francis Maynard Delfin, who represented OPAPRU Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. at the event, is on the same page as Dr. Aguja on MSU's journey toward becoming the National Peace University.
“Of course, ‘yung goal natin is possible. Na-attain natin through the Peace education program. So, example nitong KaPEACEtahan; with this KaPEACEtahan, ito po ‘yung mga seeds of change na pwede nating gawin. Pwedeng start ng mga bagong programa at positive push towards the goal of having MSU as the premiere peace education university.” Delfin stated.
He also added that efforts like these represent a significant leap towards the goal and that the active participation of students, both in the current year and in the years to come, will serve as the foundation for achieving it.
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