For eight weekends, the streets surrounding Camp Aguinaldo have been a meeting and bonding place for many people from different walks of life. People from different organizations, sectors, generations and faith gathered and spent almost the whole day of their rest day to participate and contribute. Moreover, in between the painting there were brainstorming, conceptualization and sketching of the designs of various artists from different organizations who offered their talents for free. The beauty of the artwork cannot just be measured on the final output. The true beauty is seen, rather, on the stories that happened before, during and after each peace mural painting.
On top is the inspiring dedication and commitment of the volunteers from the Circle of Friends Foundation. No person cannot be amazed and be inspired seeing these individuals on their wheelchairs as they passionately paint the walls. They have gifted hands that made their work of art stand out and made them contribute to the society. Being part of the Peace Mural Painting has become a way for them to show that they can be part of the peace building process.
Days before the Peace Mural Painting, various artists meet regularly in 7th Civil Relations Group Office in Camp Aguinaldo to help in the conceptualization and sketching of the designs. Many sleepless nights were spent to keep up with the schedule of sketching. Along the process, one group was formed and they call themselves the Pasimuno – a group of 14 young artists who found friendship in the making of the longest Peace Mural. Who would have thought that the rivals in art competitions before would be working for one art project now? Coming from different cities and provinces, these young individuals selflessly offered their time and talent. When asked why they keep on coming back, Chico (one of the members) shared, “Kasi nag-eenjoy po talaga kami kapag magkakasama kami, naisip po namin na yung pagtulong namin dito, parang bonding na din po namin.” (We really enjoy being with one another, we thought that our participation here can become our bonding time too.) He also added, “Sa simpleng bagay din na tulad nito, makikita ang peace. Hindi lang ito naipapakita ng matataas na tao, kahit ng simpleng artists na tulad namin kaya din ipalabas ang kapayapaan.” (Peace can be seen through this simple activity. Peace is something that cannot just be shown by people in the higher class but even by simple artists like us.)
Seeing the participants’ hardwork in turning their sketches into a more beautiful art work made them very happy and fulfilled. “Masaya po sobra kapag dumadaan po kami tapos nakikita po namin na pinipintahan ng mga volunteers, ang gaan po sa feeling. Napakasaya po talagang mag-volunteer. Yung tipong hindi mo mahahanap sa ibang lugar, yung tipong priceless talaga,” shared Ianna of Pasimuno. (We really feel happy whenever we see the volunteers paint the sketches that we made. It’s really fun to volunteer. You can’t really find this in other places; our experience here is really priceless.). Pasimuno hopes to continue their friendship even after the Peace Mural Painting.
The Peace Mural Painting has not just been a time to build friendship; it has also been an avenue for company’s team building, alternative classroom experience for some schools and a family bonding for some. Every week we have seen many families, from the youngest to the oldest member, register to join this historic event. Lumang Family is one of them.
Not a week did they miss painting the walls of Camp Aguinaldo, bringing all the members of their family. From one of her posts in Facebook, Ms. Sarah Lumang shared, “Noong 1986, bata lang din ako gaya ng mga Bunnies ko. Hindi man sila nakasama sa EDSA Revolution, eto naman sila kasama namin sa EDSA peace mural para isulong ang adhikain ng Kapayapaan. Ito ang mga tunay na mahalaga sa buhay — na tayo ay sama-sama, nagbabayahihan, at patuloy ang paghakbang tungo sa ating minimithing pag-unlad, bata man o matanda.” (In 1986, I was still young just like my Bunnies. Even though they were not able to join the EDSA Revolution, they are here now with us in EDSA peace mural to promote peace. In life, this is what really matters — that we are together, working for one goal and continuously taking steps to achieve development, no matter how old or young you are.)
Bringing more than a hundred employees, the Automatic Data Processing (ADP) along with other companies, also participated in the event. ADP did not just help in the painting but they also provided caps, tents and food for the volunteers. The Peace Mural Painting has been a way for their company to work as a team outside of their workplace. Their experience did not just bring their group closer to one another but it also became an eye opener for their group. “Meeting new people and seeing the artwork of different hands progressing every second of time was such an eye opener. I have come to realize that age, gender, race, and not even position in life matters when we are aiming for one common goal. The activity has been successful in making these people united in proclaiming freedom and peace. As I have told my family and friends being part of history is priceless.” shared Ms. Jen Fuentes of ADP.
Every leg of the Peace Mural Painting has a lot of stories to tell. From the kick-off last May 26 up to the 7th leg, a lot of volunteers have expressed their desire to participate, not to mention the photographers, videographers and the writers who also selflessly dedicated their service for free, making the event more memorable. There were also the corporations that supported the project making it more successful. The participation of each volunteer, partner and sponsor is in itself the message that the peace mural wanted to achieve and convey. The picture of people from different sectors, generations and religions working together for a common goal, building friendship by showing simple acts of kindness and contributing something for the love of the country are the same images that each of the participant has already painted on the walls of Camp Aguinaldo.
As AG Sano of the Dolphins Love Freedom Movement said, “That’s the Spirit of Bayanihan – working together regardless of who he or she is, regardless what his or her religion is, regardless of what his or her culture is. By doing that we are creating a culture of love and culture of camaraderie. How can war be possible if there is such a culture?”
This event has proven that best things in life are still free. This has proven that people still long to work for something good, something that would cause positive change in the country. This has proven that people long for peace and can be a channel of peace. This has proven that peace in possible. Sometimes people are just looking for a chance, a chance to share what they have. All the volunteers of the Peace Mural Painting should be commended for taking the chance of bringing a positive change in the community. May the peace murals serve as a reminder that as members of the society we have our own share in making the world a better place.
The “Lakbay para sa KapaYapaAn sa EDSA” is a joint collaboration between Asia America Initiative (AAI), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), Dolphins Love Freedom Movement (DLFM) and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) . Together with Davies Paints, Manila Water and Universal Paints as major sponsors and Bayani Brew, Enchanted Water, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Belle de Jour, iVolunteer Philippines, Chikka Philippines, YSA Skin Care Corporation, Jancen Cosmetic Surgery, Automatic Data Processing and Asian Tigers as minor sponsors. This collaboration between the different sectors and stakeholders in the society has been very remarkable which LTC Cabunoc, Commander of the 7th Civil Relations Group, AFP, believes to be the key in resolving the conflicts in the country.
“Ang pagkonsulta sa iba’t ibang sector ng komunidad, paghingi ng opinion sa lahat ng sector ng ating pamayanan ay kailangan dahil hindi pwedeng isa lamang ang nag-iisip. Hindi pwedeng isa lamang ang matalino, hindi pwedeng isa lamang ang nakakaisip sa mga tamang pamamaraan para matapos an ating mga problema. Ito ang bayanihan na talagang ating kailangan,” said LTC Cabunoc. (Consulting and asking for the opinions of the different sectors are needed to end the problems of the society. It should not be done and thought of only by one group. That is the bayanihan that we really need.)
Lakbay para sa Kapayapaan sa EDSA hopes to serve as an avenue to create more awareness on how every Filipino can be part of the peace-building process and to bring peace into the consciousness of the Filipino Society and to promote the spirit of bayanihan. The different themes in the peace mural painting along EDSA, Bonny Serrano and White Plains carry the message of peace, unity and love for the country. It hopes to find unity despite the diversity. In his solidarity message, General Bautista, AFP Chief of Staff, shared, “Each wall will showcase the outstanding Filipino values that aim to encourage our Filipino people about the important part they play in nation-building. With us uniting and working as one, I truly believe that we Filipinos can do everything if we just put our hearts and minds into it.” General Bautista is hopeful that the peace mural will also be helpful to those who are fighting for a lost cause. He hopes that the culture of peace and the solidarity shown during the peace mural will be an eye-opener for them. He also reminded them that they will be welcomed by the government with an open arm.
The Peace Mural Painting is one of the projects that Asia America Initiative is supporting in hope of building peace, one child, one school and one community at a time. AAI together with its partners have been conducting different creative and innovative programs to mainstream peace. In this project, art is chosen to mainstream peace and the peace building process since art is something that anyone can easily relate with. “Art cuts across religions, it cuts across cultures. This is just one of our common grounds where we can express ourselves and help build a Culture of Peace. The images that we create will serve as a visual reminder of the power of working together, the importance of our value system and of our support to the Call for Peace regardless of our differences,” shared Rohaniza Sumndad-usman of AAI.
Mr. Santoli, Asia America Initiativve’s President, also emphasized that the Peace Mural Painting in an expression of brotherhood, sisterhood, equity and justice as each image conveys a colourful shade of Joy. “The smiles are still on the faces of all who participated whether or not they have met before. They are united for a noble mission of the heart and spirit. May we always remain united to overcome all challenges and obstacles. May the spirit of peace be quietly painted in your soul,” shared Mr. Santoli.
So what is the next step after the painting is done? As part of Bayanihan Culture and with this project as a project of bayanihan, everyone is expected to take part in maintaining this portrait that belongs not to the organizers but to every Filipino who believed and supported the building of culture of peace in the country. More than that, AAI will be organizing the so called “EduPeace Tours” so more people would get to know the wonderful stories behind the making of the longest peace mural and understand more the diversity of religion, culture and history in our country.
Lakbay para sa Kapayapaan sa Edsa 