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

The Department of Peace Studies Celebrated Human Rights Week

The Department of Peace Studies celebrated the Human Rights week with various activities to highlight our commitment to the promotion of respect for human rights and for human rights education in general.  In the Department of Peace Studies we believe that respect for human rights is an integral aspect of Peace Education.  Of which the bottom line is that when the dignity of the individual human person is recognized, respected and given the opportunity to realize one's potentials as human persons, that peace and harmony in society could be promoted.  These were some of the activities held:

1. On December 5, 2011 the Junior Peace Advocates donated banners highlighting our support for the celebration of Human Rights Week.  The banners were displayed in front of the Bicol University Daraga Campus;

2. On December 5, 2011, a symposium was held attended by various sectors in society where the Church/NGO, the Police, and the Commission on Human Rights served as resource persons and the various sectors served as re-actors.  The theme of the symposium was on the status of Extra-Judicial Killing.  Various perspectives were brought into the fore during the discussion.

3. On December 8, 2011, an art exhibit was held at the Arcilla Hall in cooperation with cause oriented groups.  The purpose of which was to highlight the importance of human rights through art works.

Some of the Art Works on Display at the BU Daraga Campus

Art Work that Depicts the struggle of the Ordinary Filipino for Human  Rights

BICOL UNIVERSITY AND PHILIPPINE MILITARY ACADEMY EXCHANGE LECTURES

The Bicol University Professors and Instructors from the Department of Sociology and the Department of Peace Studies  visited the Philippine Military Academy on December 7-10, 2011 upon the invitation of the Social Science Department of the Academics Group of the Philippine Military Academy.  This exchange visit was facilitated at the PMA by Capt. Eddie Balunso who teaches and serves as director of the course in comparative ideologies.  Capt. Baluso was a former instructor of the Bicol University prior to his moving to the Academy.  This activity was first of its kind in the history of the Academy.  An opening to the outside world and the willingness to learn from the outside world seem to be the movement of trend at the academy.  This exchange program undertaken by the PMA is the first of its kind and we sincerely hope that this event would have sown the seed.  

Despite of heavy rains and thunderstorms, the team from Bicol University arrived on December 7, 2011 at around 5 p.m. in the evening.  The following day, December 8, 2011 the activity of the visiting groupincludes courtesy call to the different offices of the academic group and especially to the chief executives of the said group. The group was also invited to lunch with the Cadets at the mess hall.  The waiting at the holding area of the mess hall provided an opportunity for the group to engaged in fruitful conversation with the officials.  In the afternoon of the same day, Dr. Dolores Laguilles delivered her lecture on Feminism and Women Issues in the Military to around 150 senior cadets.  Her lecture was well received by the audience.  It generated interesting discussion among the audience.

On December 9, 2011, Dr. Herbert Rosana of Bicol University delivered his lecture on the Internal and Ideological Motivated Conflicts in the Philippines: A Non Military Perspectives of Conflict Resolution.  He emphasized the theories related to conflict and how these interact with the varied ideologies providing moral support to the rebellion.  The lecturer underscored the importance of engaging the local communities in various activities.  This engagement with the communities will help in providing understanding to the roots of conflicts in the country.  After the lecture of Dr. Rosana, the faculty members of the PMA and the visiting faculty of BU engaged in a focus group discussion whose aim was to generate ideas and suggestions to help enhance and develop the existing curriculum of the academy.  After that a fellowship lunch was tendered by the Social Science faculty of the Academic Group.  In the afternoon, Prof. Glenton Guiriba delivered his lecture on community development.  After the lecture a general closing program was held.

At the entrance of the Admin Group. From L-R Prof. Glenton Guiriba, Dr. Dolores Laguilles, Dr. Herbert Rosana, Martin, Miss Kathy Evasco and Mr. Ian Relao.

Dr. Rosana Receiving his plaque of appreciation from Major Lope Dominngo Jr Department Head of Social Science Department

With the Female Cadets of the PMA and stood their grown.

Philippine Military Academy

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

2nd Year of ANDUROG KAN DERECHOS

The Members of the Department

The JPA and the Children

The Department of Peace Studies headed by Dr. Herbert B. Rosana, together with the faculty members of the Department, Ms. Gina Oropesa and Mr. Lloyd Berdin and together with the officers and members of the Junior Peace Advocates joined the ANDUROG KAN DERECHOS in its 2nd Anniversary.  The theme of the anniversary states thus: Working Towards Promotion of Human Dignity.  The Secretariat of the Andurog kan Derechos under the leadership of Fr. Ramonsito S. Segubiense and ably assisted by the staff of the Social Action Center of Legazpi and Ms. Aimee Bertillo organized a series of activities such as medical missions, story telling for kids and awareness campaign for human rights.  The venue for this activity was the San Roque Parish Church of Taizan.  The Parish priest of Taizan is Fr. Rally Siapno.  The Department of Peace Studies as tasked to take charged of the story telling for kids.  There were almost eighty pre-school children who participated in the story telling session for peace.  Dr. Herbert Rosana conducted the story telling sessions.  After the story telling session the students of the Department of Peace Studies took turns in facilitating the games for the kids.

The Boy and the Apple Tree: Story Telling for Human Rights and filial piety

or those who may not be aware what the Andurog kan Derechos is, this organization is a Multi-Sector Quick Response Team or MSQRT created as an alternative approach to address the phenomenon of extra-legal killing and enforced disappearances.  It aims to provide capacities for its members to do investigation and reporting on human rights violations especially the phenomenon mentioned above.  The MSQRT is the first of its kind and has been replicated in various parts of the country with the help of the Ateneo de Manila Human Rights Center (AHRC) and the Asia Foundation.  The Andurog kan Derechos is a grouping of several agencies and private organizations including the academe.

PEACE Department Joins Pilot School for Peace in WALK FOR PEACE

The San Isidro Elementary School in cooperation with the Local Government of Castilla, the 903rd Brigade Infantry of the Philippine Army, the Philippine National Police, the Parish of St. John the Baptist and the Bicol Consortium for Peace Education and Development (BCPED).  The Students of the Department of Peace Studies of Bicol University joined in the walk for peace.  The walk for peace started at exactly 7:00 a.m. from the junction road to Castilla to San Isidro.  The children held placards expressing their advocacies for peace.  The pupils were joined by their parents, the local barangay officials, and other guests.  The activity was successfully facilitated by the principal of the School, Mr. Teddy Janola in cooperation with the teachers of San Isidro Elementary School. The Walk for Peace was capped with a program.  Fr. Benny Furo, the parish pastor gave the invocation, while the Barangay Chair in the person of Ms. Salome J. Janoras gave the welcome message.  Lt. Col. Lina of the 903rd Brigade Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army gave his impression, as well as the Hon. Olivia M. Bermillo municpal mayor, PCI Alfredo A Nierva, the Chief of Police, Danica J. Balonzo Pupil President and Dr. Herbert B. Rosana of the Bicol Consortium for Peace Education and Development gave their messages of solidarity.  Indeed the activity was characterized by fine weather after several days of rain.  The walk for peace was indeed a fitting tribute to all peace workers and as a way to meaningfully close the month of Peace.  The program was capped with the signing of the Barangay Resolution declaring the San Isidro Elementary School as a School of Peace and that the barangay has pledge support for the same.

Young School Children Bearing Placards in Support of Peace

The Pupils, Parents, Teachers and Local Officials of the Barangay

Dr. Herbert B. Rosana together with the BAPS students from Bicol University

The Community Stakeholders Receiving Certificates of Appreciation

The Junior Students of the Bachelor of Arts in Peace Program of Bicol University

The Pupils and Teachers of San Isidro Elementary School

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.

School of Peace: San Isidro Elementary School

Four students from the Department of Peace Studies visited the School of Peace in San Isidro Elementary School on March 29, 2011 as an initial activity for a research project they are going to undertake.

BCPED holds trainers’ training on advocacy for culture of peace in bicol

BCPED holds trainers’ training on advocacy for culture of peace in bicol
By Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) – In order to strengthen advocacy efforts of the Bicol Consortium for Peace and Development (BCPED) on the need to organize a speakers bureau tasked to train others how to teach and promote peace education especially in the academe, a three day thematic enrichment seminar is set on February 23-25 at Villa Amada Hotel, Daraga, Albay.

According to Dr. Herbert B. Rosana, director of BCPED Secretariat said the trainers’ training is a sequel to the series of training-workshops conducted in 2009-2010 per suggestion from some participants who recommended the need to increase their knowledge based on the themes of peace education.

Similarly, the exercise will provide inputs in instruction and integration of peace concepts and peace education in the basic and higher education curricula for state universities and colleges and private institutions.

For government and private offices, the training shall contribute in the module preparation of peace efforts and the development of culture of peace in general, especially that the Aquino dispensation is working out that peace will prevail in the country.

The pursuit of just and lasting peace is a priority agenda of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) under President Benigno S. Aquino III administration.

The Thematic Enrichment Seminar in Peace Education for the Trainers’ Training of BCPED as a capability building activity will discuss various topics with peace advocacy at the core.

These are inner peace; non-violence and conflict transformation; religion, values and peace education; human rights and gender equality; challenging prejudice and building tolerance; and updates on peace policies of the Government of the Philippines (GPH).

Among the invited resource persons are Rev. Fr. Jovic Lobrigo, former Albay Social Action Center executive director; Prof. Elvira Asuan from the academe; Director Rolando Asuncion of the Office of the Presidential Adviser of the Peace Process (OPAPP), the agency tasked to lead the peace talks among other peace building activities of the government.

Meantime, BCPED is still accepting research proposals on peace education until February 28. Such research plans may be along regional research and development thematic program areas agreed upon during the research agenda setting workshop held November 9-10, 2010. These are on topics along human security; environment, natural resources and sustainable development; social service, business and entrepreneurship; peace education; and governance, policy advocacy and networking.

BCPED is chaired by Bicol University President Fay Lea Patria M. Lauraya, Ph.D. with select state universities and colleges, private institutions, government and non-government offices as members.(PIA V/ALbay)

ILAW SA KAPAYAPAAN : BAPS Students Participate in Candle Lighting Ceremony for Peace

The students from the Department of Peace Studies of Bicol University participated in a candle lighting ceremony in solidarity with the call of P-NOY for Peace.  The candle lighting ceremony was held by various sectors where members lined up the street from the University Campus to the Penaranda Park in Albay Old District in Legazpi City.  This ceremony is replicated in various cities.  The full story of what this candle lighting ceremony is about can be accessed through the The Official Gazette of the Philippines. 

Here are some photos and signs/symbols generated by the BAPS students (Photo Credits by Audrey Clores, BAPS IV using her Samsung Corby Mobile Phone, Gestures and actions by the BAPS IV Students).  Yan ang galing ng BAPS Peacemaker na Artist pa!