PEACE STUDENTS VISIT 9th INFANTRY DIVISION IN PILI CAM SUR

The Second Year Students of the Bachelor of Arts in Peace Studies Program under the course PS 11 Introduction to Peace Studies taught by Dr. Herbert Rosana went on a field trip to the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.  The main purpose of the trip is to provide students with orientation on the concepts behind the BAYANIHAN, the new internal security plan of the AFP.  The trip was held on March 7, 2012.  

BAPS II students for a Photo Ops with the Head of the Civil Relations Group
of the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army

Students Listen attentively as they were given briefing on the BAYANIHAN
The Internal Security Plan of the AFP

The Battery Section

An Officer giving Instructions on how to Run the Battering Machine

The Second Year Students intently listening to the Instruction

Capt Danas, the Commander of the Armory Section, Giving Lecture to the Students

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BICOL UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT

Congratulations to the BU ROTC Unit, Cadets under the Leadership of Gerald Llamera BAPS III student

PEACE DEPARTMENT HELD 17th PEACE DAY CELEBRATION

February 11, 2012.  The Department of Peace Studies held the 17th Peace Day Celebration of the Department.  This year's celebration may not be as ostentatious as it was in the past, as the department takes into consideration the economic cost and mindful of the economic difficulties the country is undergoing.  The theme of this year's celebration centered on developing personality traits and character to make oneself ready to assume the role of peace makers.  One of the main feature of this year's peace day activity is the beauty pageant organized and facilitated by the Junior Peace Advocates (JPA) under the leadership of its president Lea Cerbito.  The main purpose of this event is not to celebrate vanity but to help students appreciate beauty and provide them with opportunity to develop self-confidence and the ability to appreciate the beautiful qualities of the human person.  Dr. Herbert Rosana, the department chairperson compared this aesthetic appreciation with a lamp.  Lamps are placed in prominent places for everyone to share in that light.  So we too must show good deeds and healthily manifest our good qualities for all to appreciate and to emulate.  The entire BAPS department took this opportunity as time to share and to bond with one another.

The Contestants for Mr. and Ms. Peace

The Junior Class

Grace Oronan, the reigning Ms. Peace 2012

National Reading Month Celebrated at the Pilot School of Peace in San Isidro

November was declared by the Department of Education as National Reading Month.  In consonance with this celebration the San Isidro Elementary School held a reading program for their pupils by inviting prominent citizens of the community to read a story to children.  The DepED launched the "Every Child a Reader" program or ECARP.  The objectives of this program are the following:  promote reading and literacy among the pupils and students; (2) motivate our youth to learn from the lives and works of imminent Filipinos; (3) uphold one's heritage and values; and (4) making reading a shared physical experience, especially among the youth, thereby increasing it's relevance a midst the growing reliance on the internet and inclination to on-online activities. So in this regard the San Isidro Elementary School though its principal Mr. Teddy C. Janola and their teachers organized a "read-a-long" program on November 25, 2011.

Dr. Herbert B. Rosana, interacting with the Grade IV-A Pupils

Dr. Herbert B. Rosana, Director of the Secretariat of the BCPED and Department Chairman of the Peace Studies Program of Bicol University was invited to read a story to Grade IV pupils in San Isidro.  Together with the students of the Peace Studies Department and their organization, the Junior Peace Advocates (JPA) went to San Isidro Elementary School upon the invitation of the Principal.  The students were delighted to have this opportunity to visit once again the school of peace and to be involved in a worthy cause.  This is also an opportunity for them to get expose to community work. 

The Children listened to the story.  The JPA Officers acted as elder brothers and sisters.

 

Dr. Rosana was tasked to read to the Grade IV-A students.  He read to them the story of how the mango tree came to be.  The story is a contemporary legend of how the mango came to be.  It was a story written by Rene O. Villanueva.  The story is about a family whose mother died early.  The father was left behind to care for their three sons.  Because of excessive grief the father failed in his duty to care for the children.  Eventually the two elderly sons decided to claim their share of the inheritance.  The eldest took the vast land holdings of the family, while the second son took the house.  Jose, the youngest of the three was left with nothing so he decided to move to a small hut with his father and he decided that it was his duty to care for his father.  As the condition of the father grew worse and worse day by day he decided to leave Jose his share.  He gave Jose a heart-shaped seed and he said that it symbolized the love the mother and father had for them.  He instructed Jose to plant it and make it grow once he is dead.  Finally when the father died Jose planted the seed and it grew to become a big fruit bearing tree.  It bore a heart shape yellow fruit.  It's taste was sweet and finally he decided to sell it and then plant some more until he grew to become a wealthy person.  His elder brothers lost all theior inheritance because of neglect and incompetence.  But in his generosity he decided to buy back the lands and house they lost and let his brothers stay there.  And they lived happily ever after. 

The Legend of the Mango revealed moral lessons.  It brought out the filial piety of the Filipino.  That we should honor and respect our parents and elders.  Second the value of generosity and magnanimity.  Like Jose we need to be forgiving and sow the seeds of love.  It also draw the ugly side of selfishness and pride and greed.  At the same time it also encourages one to be hard working and to be patient.  The pupils enjoyed the interaction and to cap the story each children were rewarded with a piece of Mango and some candies.

The pupils participating in the question and answer portion

The Story Telling Session

The members of the JPA served as "Ates" and "Kuyas"

The JPA members posed with the principal of San Isidro together with the members of the AFP

Dr. Rosana giving out a mango fruit.  Part of the motivation process in the story telling session.

One of the Ates serving the pupils with pieces of the Mango Fruit

Dr. Rosana with the members and officers of the JPA and with Ms. Gina Oropesa , an Instructor in the Department

Dr. Rosana being interviewed by LtC Lelina for their Radio Program in Sorsogon

Mr. Teddy Janola, the principal, Dr. Rosana and LtC Lelina of the 903 Brigade Stationed in Castilla, Sorsogon

BUCSSP Department of Peace Studies Starts Peace Month Celebration with a Big Bang

The Department of Peace Studies opened the celebration of Peace Month with the celebration of Mass, program and a motorcade.  The month of September through a Presidential proclamation was declared as National Peace Consciousness Month several years ago.  To formally open the celebration the Department held a program and a motorcade.  As Dr. Herbert Rosana puts it: "The program and motorcade will help raise awareness among the people of Legazpi about the need to work for peace."  Awareness is very crucial since it is with awareness that conviction starts.  Every Filipino has a part in making the peace process work.  Hence on this regard the program and motorcade was held with much preparation.  The students prepared banners and balloons.  During the program, Professor Jerry Bigornia, the vice-president for production of Bicol University  spoke in behalf of the President, Dr. Fay Lea Patria M. Lauraya.  Dr. Lauraya has ever since been supportive of the peace advocacy programs of the Department of Peace Studies.  The dean of the college, Dr, Noemi L. Ibo also delivered her inspirational message.  In the evening the students held a party to dramatize their camaraderie and promote peace consciounsess among their fellows and among their guests.

The BAPS students prepares for the Motorcade

The Senior Students took the Lead

PMA and BU Embark on a Pilot Faculty Exchange Program

The Philippine Military Academy and Bicol University has embarked on a Pilot Faculty Exchange program.  The Aim of this program is to establish academic and professional linkages through: (1) SME Lectures, (2) Seminar Workshops, (3) Community Extension Activities, (4) Research Colloquia.  Moreover it is also the aim of this program to enhance teaching strategies and strategies in various disciplines; enrich instructional and training materials resources and promote academic and professional competencies of faculty members.  The FEP Team from the Philippine Military Academy includes CPT Agnes Lynette A Flores PROF, CPT Eddie R Balunso PROF, Ms. Bernadette P. Escobar CI, Mr. Jose C. De La Cruz CI, Ms. Gepsy Rose M. Ano CI.  The Bicol University Team includes, Dr. Dolores D. Laguilles, Dr. Herbert B. Rosana, Prof. Gelnton O. Guiriba, and Prof. Katherine E. Evasco.  Last August 26, 2011 the PMA Team visited Bicol University and held their visiting lectures at the Arcilla Hall, BU-CSSP.

BAPS Student Awarded Mr. Intramurals for 2011 CSSP Intramurals

The smoke of excitement in the CSSP intramural is gone but the regenerating effect of the entire process linger on.  As they say, "Healthy mind in a healthy body".  A well balanced and versatile personality is what we seek to develop in our students.  The department is proud of its students in the active participation they have demonstrated in these year's intramurals.  It is with pride that we congratulate all the participants.  We especially congratulate  Mr. Ian Carlo Magayanes for winning the title Mr. Intrams of the CSSP we hope that you will serve as a good example of sportsmanship and especially of peace.

"AMTICREDIBLES" Presented Output to Stakeholders Meeting

On May 22, 2011 the Village Council of Amtic, Ligao, Albay conducted a special session to give way for the presentation of the research output of the BAPS students who did a case study on the disaster resiliency and vulnerabilities of Amtic.

BAPS Students participating in a special session of the barangay council of Amtic

Group Photo

Ben Laurence Balderama doing his presentation before the village council

The council session served as venue  for focus group discussion

Discussion after the Presentation

Photo Session with the Group

Mark Odiver, Kenneth Balindan and Mae-Ann

SUMMER FIELD RESEARCH 2011 - BA Peace Studies

The Summer Field Research class of the BA. in Peace Studies commenced last April 15, 2011.  The theme for this year's field research is 'Building Disaster Resilient Communities".  There were two classes for this summer.  One class was assigned to conduct a case study of Amtic an upland village in Ligao, Albay.  While the other class was assigned to do case study of Misibis a coastal and island village in Cagraray Island in Bacacay, Albay.  The students conducted in-depth interviews, they did profiling of the barangay and they also conducted surveys.  In general the objective of the studies were to identify the vulnerabilities and resiliency elements in these barangays. The bottom line is that both villages are confronted by seasonal typhoons and ensuing disasters.  Hence it is important to identify their vulnerabilities as well as the factors that contribute for resiliency.  Intervention activities to mitigate the risks and effects of disasters and improve the quality of life is anchored on how people recover from the impacts of disaster.  The initial findings of the study showd that poverty and lack of education are the main factors that make these communities vulnerable to the effects of a disaster.  Their faith in God and the spirit of "bayanihan" (the tagalog term for team spirit) are the factors that helped them overcome the tragedies of a disaster.  Moreover, the extended family system also provided support in times of need.

The Team posed for a photo ops in one in-depth interview sessions

Rain and winds did not deter the group from visiting with key informants

The Research class in a photo session at the Barangay Hall of Amtic

The Misibis Group

On the way to Cagraray Island

The Village Center of Missibis

Photos of the Thematic Enrichment Seminar on Peace Education for the Trainers training of the BCPED

 The Participants during the Photo-ops

 Prof. Elvira Asuan of PNU 

Mr. Cesar Villanueva of Pax Christi - Pilipinas

 Group Discussions