LECTURE ON CULTURAL SENSITIVITY

LEGAZPI CITY,  Mar 5 (PIA) -- Civil-military cooperation plays a key role not only in disaster response but also on various risk reduction initiatives, proving its efficiency not only in Albay but also in other areas in the country and abroad.

Roderick Mendoza of the Albay Public Safety and Management Office cited the critical role of the military and other men-in-uniform in assisting civil authorities in building disaster resilient communities especially in remote and high risk areas. Mendoza noted, “Their understanding of their respective areas of responsibilities has also been important in developing contingency plans.”

He also said Albay has given equal importance on preparedness measure and the uniformed services should also be able to adapt to this paradigm shift being an integral component of the country’s disaster risk reduction management plans and strategies.

Disaster capability building component of Phl-US Pacific Angel 12-1“Bayanihan” kicked off today with lectures and interfacing with DRRM authorities of Albay, military and police personnel, and other stakeholders.

Meanwhile. Col. Arthur Ang, commander of the Army’s 901^st Brigade, said Albay has given new meaning to “civil-military cooperation” as it was apparent  how effective DRRM efforts of the province have evolved with the cooperation of the uniformed service.

“Our technically challenged equipment has been preceded by active and complementing efforts of civil-military cooperation. Adjudged as a Hall of Fame awardee of Gawad Kalasag affirms this good practice that we do and advocate in the province,” he added.

For their part, US Personnel Capt. Michael Roberts and Lt. Col. Allan Delos Santos provided inputs on Humanitarian Assistance and Rapid Response Team focusing on Contingency Report Group and Medical Component.

“We are extremely happy for the assistance accorded us by Bicol University for facilitating a Cultural Sensitivity lecture to our visitors especially to Dr. Herbert D. Rosana. His lecture indeed will help our counterpart from the US Pacific Air Force on how to properly deal with our kababayans in this five-day humanitarian mission,” said Lt. Col. Augusto Gaite, Commander of Humanitarian Assistance Task Group.

Last week two US Air Force C-17 Globemaster Cargo planes already flew in to this city from Guam ferrying medical supplies, and military and civilian experts on CCA and DRR who will train Filipinos and lecture on their fields of expertise.

 Operation Pacific Angel is a recurring joint/combined humanitarianassistance mission sponsored by US Pacific Command (USPACOM) designed to bring humanitarian civic assistance (HCA) and civil-military operations(CMO) to areas in need in the Pacific region.

The mission is conducted in locations throughout the Pacific theater to support the U.S. military charter of capacity building in partner nations.

US military participates in these operations to enhance relations with partner nations, build medical and civil assistance capacity in those nations, and to prove a commitment to support the nation’s efforts to assist their population in a time of need.  (MAL-PIAV/DFN, Navforsol)

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

PACIFIC ANGEL 12-1 LECTURE ON CULTURAL SENSITIVITY

Operation Pacific Angel is a joint and combined humanitarian assistance program conducted by the US Pacific Command in Pacific Area of responsibility to support capacity building efforts.  This humanitarian and civic assistance program is aimed at improving military and civilian cooperation between the United States and the host country.


Its activities are purely civil-military assistance activities which include Subject Matter Expert Exchanges on Disaster Response and Humanitarian Assistance, Medical and Dental Health Services and Engineering Civic Action Programs.  Pacific Angel will once again be conducted in the Philippines particularly in the province of Albay from March 5-10, 2012.

  Pacific Angel is design to improve inter-operability and cooperation between national and local governments, militaries, international organizations, and non-government organizations in responding to disasters.  Albay was chosen as venue of the event essentially because of its globally renowned civil-military disaster risk reduction management (DRRM) partnership and climate change adaptation initiatives.

Pacific Angel 12-1 includes Capacity Building. Which include Seminar on Cultural Sensitivity.
Bicol University was invited to offer this service to the US Troops and participating Agencies
of the Local Government.

The Tactical Operations Group. The Team of Pacific Angel set up Camp at TOG-5

Dr. Herbert B. Rosana Delivering a Cultural Sensitivity Lecture to US Service
Personnel and their Filipino Counter at TOG-5, Legazpi City

The event highlights the partnership of LGUs, NGAs, LGA’s, NGOs, RP-US Armed Forces and Philippine National Police in providing the humanitarian assistance program of Pacific Angel 12-1. 

Likewise, two (2) doctors from Republic of Cambodia Armed Forces and two (2) Tonga observers will participate in the medical mission in preparation for Pacific Angel iteration in their respective countries.

            PHILIPPINES

                       

·       20 AFP doctors with medical and dental teams

·       16 PNP doctors with medical and dental teams

·       Medical Doctors, Dentists and Health Workers from participating LGUs, DOH5, Philippine National Red Cross Albay and Legazpi Chapter

·       Junior Chamber International (JCI) Daraga Chapter

·       Dios Mabalos Po Foundation.           

·       AFP/PNP Joint tasked group to support various events.      

            United States

                       

·       81 US personnel

            Others

·       2 military doctors from Republic of Cambodia Armed Forces

·       2 military observers from Tonga.

In order to integrate and synchronize Host Nation Participation, A task Force dubbed as “Inter-Agency Task Force “Pacific Angel” will be organize to ensure smooth implementation of activities.

Governor Salceda and COL Arthur P Ang INF (GSC) PA sits as Co-Chairman of Joint Inter-Agency Task Force Pacific angel during the 5-day humanitarian mission in Albay.  Director of Albay Police Provincial Office PSSUPT William Macavinta DPA, PESE is the designated Vice Chairman of the joint task force which also has participating local government and non-government organizations forming various task groups to ensure the success of Pacific Angel. 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BICOL UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT

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

BAPS Student Set to Join National SCUAA 2012 in Iloilo

Romar N. Perez ( 5th from right)

BAPS Junior Student will join the Bicol University Delegation for the SCUAA in February 19-25, 2012 in Iloilo City.  Romar N. Perez of the Department of Peace Studies as part of the Bicol University delegation.  Report about the SCUAA can be read here.

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

BOOKS FOR PEACE 2011 - San Isidro Elementary School- School of Peace

On December 20, 2011, the San Isidro Elementary School through the efforts of Principal Teddy Janola and the Teachers, launched the Books for Peace Project.  This is an innovative way of drawing community support for the School. Various sectors from the community participated in the activity. Rev. Benny Furo of the St. John the Baptist parish in Castilla gave the invocation, after which the Barangay Chairperson, Salome J. Janoras gave the welcome message.  Messages of support were given by the Hon. Olivia Bermillo, the municipal mayor, Col. Felix Castro, District Supervisor of Castilla East District Rosalina P. Burabod, Alfredo P. Nierva, Chief of the Police Station, and Dr. Herbert Rosana of the BCPED.  The PTA President gave the closing remark.  After the program each classes went to their respective classrooms for the Christmas Party.

The Books Presented to the Children by Generous Donors

The Pupils of San Isidro

Dr. Herbert Rosana with the Kindergarten Teachers and with Lea Cerbito the President of the JPA

Officers of the Junior Peace Advocates with our partners

BAPS ALUMNI PIONEER CLASS (2001) HELD PRELIMINARY MEETINGS FOR A PLANNED GRAND ALUMNI HOMECOMING

BAPSS Alumni Pioneer Class of 2001 held Preliminary Meeting at Brent's Grill on December 22, 2011

After a decade since leaving the portals of Bicol University, the core group of the Pioneer Class (2001) of the degree program: Bachelor of Arts in Peace and Security Studies held a preliminary meeting at Brent's Grill on December 22, 2011.  The purpose of the said meeting was to organize a core group that would spearhead the General Alumni Homecoming planned for 2012. They elected their officers who will serve as steering committee.  It was agreed upon that the organization will raise funds for its activities and will seek the cooperation of all batches.  One strategy proposed was to identify a coordinator for each batch who will do the leg work and convinced the alumni to participate in the General Alumni Home-Coming.  Since the program was opened in 1996, the University has graduated hundreds of Peace Majors who are now well placed in various professional groupings.  Many of of the alumni are members of the Uniformed Services and the Police.  Some even occupying important positions.  We opined that after a decade the alumni has matured and it is time now for them to give back whatever the University has given them by helping the Department promote its programs.  Perhaps the alumni could help raise funds for the scholarship grant to help the poor but intelligent and promising BAPS student.  The alumni can also help in providing placement for our graduates.  Hence, Dr. Herbert Rosana, the department head has encouraged the alumni to work hard for this purpose. 

The Pioneer Class (2001) with their Adviser Dr. Herbert Rosana

Aside from the main agenda, the pioneer class took the opportunity to reminisce the past and to share stories.  It was almost a decade ago.  The department through its department head has expressed its appreciation for the alumni for their achievements.  What achievement should a teacher have than to see his students achieve milestones in life.  The formative years is so important that even after a decade we still feel the closeness and the bonds that tie us to our Alma Mater.  We are as equally proud as you are.  The experience of the pioneer class was unique compared to other batches.  They were the ones who experienced the birth pangs of the department.  They suffered from persecution and discrimination.  At the time when we were setting up the department there were individuals and even groups who oppose the program.  The opposition often manifested in forms of discrimination.  At that time we did not have permanent classrooms, the department has no office of its own.  We practically have to conduct our transactions in corridors.  Sometimes they were treated with bias.  But despite of this hardships, they never gave up.  They stood up for their rights.  And perhaps if they could today meet their detractors of the past, they would see the transformation.  In fact those days of persecutions were blessings in disguise because those were the factors that moved us to gain greater heights.  We never allowed our detractors to put us down.  But true to our calling as PEACE MAKERS we graciously overcame difficulties with love, compassion and with firmness.  The new generations of BAPS today may never realized the difficulties we have underwent but today they are the recipient of what we struggled for.  Mabuhay ang PEACE STUDIES DEPARTMENT (1996- at present) and beyond) Congratulations PIONEERS!

Thanks for Leonard and Jonard for facilitating the meeting, we hope to see a truly GRAND ALUMNI HOMECOMING FOR THE DEPARTMENT IN 2012.  God bless the next effort of the steering committee.

The names of those who participated in the alumni meeting:

1. Salve Gonzaga Nava - Philippine National Police (PO1)

2. Missy Vita (Dr.)

3. Amy Garcia Astillero - Armed Forces of the Philippines (Captain)

4. Nino Rodel Requiza - Philippine National Police (PO2)

5. Rocky L. Bumalay - Armed Forces of the Philippines (Corporal)

6. Eugene L. Cordovilla - Armed Forces of the Philippines (Corporal)

7. Lorenzo Saret - Philippine National Police

8. Nestor Cuachin - Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (JO2)

9. Brigido Luzon - Philippine National Police (PO1)

10. Brando S. Cajaro - Philippine National Police (PO1)

11. Dexter Llaguno 

12. Jhonail Ebuenga -Sales/Business

13. Rolly Borromeo - Sales/Business

14. Ronnel Vibar - Armed Forces of the Philippines (Corporal)

15. Domingo Balla - Philippine National Police (PO2)

16. Jonard Aranaz - BU/BCCARD

17. Leonardo Astillero - Philippine National Police (PO2)

18. Kirby Rosana - Sales/Business

Adviser: Dr. Herbert B. Rosana

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