Silsilah Dialogue Movement as the front line of this World Interfaith Harmony Week activity in the Philippines especially in Zamboanga City and Mindanao area, have decided to have the Final Activity for the week-long celebration at Zamboanga City Jail together with Persons deprived with Liberty (PDLs). Silsilah Dialogue Movement has deep interactions and commitment with these PDLs for many years now. Silsilah staffs gave formation on Values Education and Path to Peace to Zamboanga City Jail and San Ramon Penal Colony on regular basis and the results of this formation are very inspiring.
The Peace concert activity prepared by the PDLs and Silsilah staffs took place inside the Zamboanga City jail with the hope to widen the imagination and creativity of the participants (PDLs) in the spirit of the WIHW. This is also to challenge the participants (PDLs) to express and manifest “Dialogue towards Harmony” through their own song lyrics, role place and dance.
To make this activity more significant and special, Silsilah Dialogue Movement invited the WIHW partners to join this celebration and to witness the realities inside the Zamboanga City Jail and also to see the beauty of solidarity with the Persons deprived of Liberty.
Before proceeding to the main venue, the WIHW partners together with the Silsilah staffs gathered together early of February 8, 2020 at the Silsilah Center located at the town of the City. This gathering aims to give the WIHW partners the basic orientation on what to do and what not to do during the visit inside the Zamboanga City Jail.
The orientation was given by Mrs. Pilar Recto, one of the Silsilah staffs who gave regular formation to Zamboanga City Jail PDLs. She gave few advises especially on taking pictures and recording videos to the PDLs. As instructed, only one official photographer is allowed to take photo documentations. We are advised to use our mobile phones less.
Few questions are raised and clarified during the gathering. Also, the objective of this activity was explained by the WIHW Coordinator, Ms. Lady Anne Sheena Macero, where she includes the part of the activity which is the Singing competition and Drama competition. Then and there, the coordinator, herself identified the Judges from the WIHW partners for both competitions and distribute the sheet with criteria a tabulation sheet for each identified Judge on that gathering.
This special celebration creates a good opportunity for other sectors of society and government offices to be part and witness the beauty of the World Interfaith Harmony Week.
Variety of talents was showcased during the event. 3 PDL’s participated the Singing competition while another 3 groups participated the Drama Competition.
During this competition, the PDL’s shows their passion with their talents for singing by composing their own lyrics for their song. While during the Drama, 3 different stories of dialogue were presented. One story focuses on dialogue with Family, another focuses on dialogue with neighbors and one is dialogue among religions.
Each presenter received an award for their hard work and their creativity during the special program.
The PDLs received a Personal hygiene Kit and medical Kit for their personal use during the awarding. The BJMP Personnel also receives an award from Silsilah for being a very supportive partner in different activities and formation of Silsilah Dialogue Movement.
The program ended with a community singing. The PDLs and other people in the crowd held their hands together and sing the song “We are the world.”
Through this gesture, the Persons Deprived with Liberty felt belongingness despite of the reality that they are inside the four walls of the BJMP Facilities.
“Dialogue towards Harmony” has always been an inspiring theme for all, especially to those people who are in need of this kind of motivation the most.
The World Interfaith Harmony Week ended in the most rare but meaningful way. The WIHW celebration does not end only for the first week of February, but Silsilah always remind people that the spirit of this celebration will be carried throughout the year and throughout our journey as people of dialogue.
In our most humble way, we ended the activity with a meaningful lunch with the PDLs and with fulfilled emotions in our hearts. Silsilah will continue to be a sign of hope not only to the local members of society and community but also to those who are most in need. Padayon!
