Mindanao Breast Cancer Support & Empowerment Association (MBCSEA) has always been in collaboration with the Silsilah Dialogue Movement during the Celebration of World Interfaith Harmony Week through the years. The group decided to conduct a FORUM ON EARLY DETECTION OF BREAST CANCER for this year’s WIHW and choose the Padayon Center as their venue.

Silsilah helped the group in preparing this activity by inviting the people in the community, especially women to attend the said forum. Atleast 60 participants attended the special activity where Silsilah provided the snacks and food for all the participants,

Dr. Marissa Lim, the adviser of the MBCSEA started the forum by giving lectures and her sharing as a doctor of cancer patients. While giving the lecture about Cancer and how it does affects the life of many people, she also advised the participants to get a self-check and to have a proper lifestyle to prevent the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body

OPEN FORUM —After the lectures and several preventions of the certain disease, the speaker encouraged the participants to raise their clarifications. The participants are very interested with the topic especially most of them have fears of having diagnosed with breast cancer and considering that the medical cure of this disease is uncertain and very expensive.

The main concerns of the participants are the symptoms of this certain disease and where must they go for cure if once they are diagnosed with breast cancer.

The speaker answered them by basic recommendations like to know your body and self-better. It is very important to know how to self-check the breast for possible symptoms of breast cancer. Also, the speaker advice to have a proper lifestyle: eating nutritious foods, avoid processed foods, water therapy to have a proper sleep and to have a regular self-check. If an individual found symptoms of the disease, it would be better to go to the hospital or contact the family doctor for thorough checking and immediate treatment.

Ms. Florence Alcazar — the President MBCSEA also shared her experiences being part of the group and being a Breast Cancer Survivor.

She also showed a short video presenting the simple breast massage on how to make a self-check.

 The participants committed to check their self for symptoms and remember the advices given during the forum.

The member of the MBCSEA, a breast cancer survivor shared how she struggle with this disease and how she made it possible to live a meaningful life after winning the battle.

With the spirit of the World Interfaith Harmony Week 2020 “Celebrating Dialogue towards Harmony”, this activity is very significant. We faced different battles in life and we know that health is the most difficult battle, that if not properly prevented and if taken for granted, we might lose our life.

This activity to raise awareness of the growing risk of the Breast Cancer disease is a good opportunity, especially to the poor community who can’t afford to consult a doctor.

With the efforts of MBCSEA and Silsilah, the activity is successful. The women in the community learned something about the importance of their health and knowing one’s self. May we continue to give compassion to our fellow people regardless of their beliefs and culture and that we may do special things for them for commitment. The spirit of World Interfaith Harmony week will journey throughout the year with the hope to have dialogue with people towards harmony and peace.

The Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) teachers were invited to attend the International training of trainers on Organizational Management, Instructional Mastery, Early Childhood Care and Education and FITRA – Arabic language learning. In the spirit of World Interfaith Harmony Week, teachers can always apply the theme “Dialogue towards Harmony” with their students and even their co-workers.

This program is significant because Madrasah teachers were gathered together and shared their experiences with the group. Silsilah also supported this activity not only because it is subjective but because ALIVE teachers play an important role in upbringing young Muslim children and to mold their values on how to be a better Muslim living the belief that Islam is a religion of Peace.

120 participants from DepEd ALIVE teachers attended the said activity to learn about the different topics to be discussed. This program was facilitated by Singaporean trainers.

With the spirit of the World Interfaith Harmony Week, Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME gave the inspirational message focusing on the World Interfaith Harmony Week theme “Celebrating Dialogue towards Harmony.”  He emphasized how this initiative was celebrated every first week of February of each year. He also mentioned the Corono Virus that affects the health of people. He then said that people can also be a “good virus” where one can radiate peace and harmony to others, to neighbors and to the society for the common good.

Hja. Sarah L. Handang also shared a message why this activity is significant for the World Interfaith Harmony Week. Aside from the idea that participants can learn, they can also apply the theme of the World Interfaith Harmony week which is “Dialogue towards Harmony”. After the inspiring message, she proudly mentioned that Singaporean visitors are there to also facilitate few topics for the participants.

A representative from the Coast Guard District South-western Mindanao also gave a very inspirational message to participants. He mentioned that he was once a Madrasah teacher and also had an experience of teaching children Valued Education in Madrasah. He shared how it has been a challenge but very fulfilling job to do especially it is like serving God by helping the young to know more about their religion.

The Singaporean Speaker also gave an inspirational message during the event. The speaker presented how they move with their initiative in Singapore and how they serve different offices and community.

Apparently, most of the presentation focuses on how they give training for different topics especially in school programs. The visitors are invited to be one of the trainers of the said activity. To experience learning from different nationality and culture is a good opportunity to the participants.

Lastly, the one who shared was inspired by the effort and nobility of the ALIVE teachers to reach despite being the less priority of DepEd. As expressed by the speaker, ALIVE teachers usually faced many challenges especially about financial and workloads. But still, they are happy because they are able to mold young Muslims to have better values.

This activity is significant for the participants because aside from learning different topics: Organizational Management, Instructional Mastery, Early Childhood Care and Education, and Arabic Language, the participants have also witnessed the efforts of the trainers who are from different cultures.

In line with the spirit of the World Interfaith Harmony Week, the activity gave the participants a place where they can learn for their academe and profession and also learn the beauty of solidarity and harmony among other cultures.

After this program, the group was divided into 4 clusters where they have deep learning on their respective topics. Silsilah Dialogue Movement accommodates the 3 day activity with the hope that with this collaboration, Muslim and Christian can strengthen their relationship in the future for the common good.

For 13 consecutive years, it has been an annual tradition to celebrate the Harmony Youth Day. In this year’s collaborative celebration with the World Interfaith Harmony Week, the working committee together with the link moderators of different schools, communities and youth sectors gathered to have a concrete plan on the possible activities for the special event. After a simple yet productive meeting, the team came out with line of activities which includes the Broadway and the first ever “A Path to Harmony Project Runway”.

Given the current situation within the city’s vicinity, the supposed motorcade before the program proper of the 13th Harmony Youth Day was cancelled. However, the participants were advised to went directly to Harmony Village as venue of the program. They were also advised that a call time of 6:30AM to 8:00AM should be strictly followed in order to have an earlier time in ending the program.

The Silpeace Youth Program gave the crowd an extravagant performance with the concept of “Flash Mob” which caught the crowd in surprise and awe. An electrifying energy was brought by performers as the crowd witnessed them. Together with them are the “A Path to Harmony Project Runway” candidates as part of their production number. The loudest cheers from the crowd made the opening salvo an extra ordinary one.

After such, Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, convener of the World Interfaith Harmony Week and the founder of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement gave his warm welcoming remarks to the crowd. He introduced the World Interfaith Harmony Week and its history to the crowd as well as the history of the Harmony Youth Day.

Right after Fr. Seb’s message, the candidates for the first ever “A Path to Harmony Project Runway” which aimed to showcase the beauty of creativity and ideas of young talents in relation to the theme of the World Interfaith Harmony Week celebration. Along with their specialized costumes made from recyclable materials, the candidates confidently displayed their state-of-the-art dresses. There were 10 candidates came from 10 different participating schools who took the opportunity to exhibit their extra – ordinary talents. Each of them were given 2 minutes to give their speeches in line as well to theme of the celebration.

Another highlight of the 13th Harmony Youth Day was the Broadway presentation of 9 participating schools showcasing their creativity in conveying message through this form of art. Each has unique story line in connection with the spirit of the celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week. The presentation brought a roller coaster to the emotions and feelings of the crowd. Each presentation lasted for 10 minutes.

In the middle of the Broadway presentation, the working committee of the 13th Harmony Youth Day select some participants from the crowd to have an interview. They have shared their insights and reflections on their experience on the Harmony Youth Day. Some of them also shared on what would be the impact of this kind of special event to the youth leaders of different areas.

On the latter part of the program, after all the Broadway presentation, certificates were awarded to the participants as part of gratitude on their invaluable support and effort in joining the celebration of this special event. Winners on the first ever Project Runway were also awarded.

After the awarding of certificates, Ms. Aminda E. Saño, EDC, president of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement gave her closing remarks. In her speech, she congratulated the working committee as well as the facilitators of the event for a job well done. She also expressed her greatest gratitude, in behalf of Silsilah, to the participants who came a long way to join the celebration.

On the last part of the program, the crowd were introduced to “Yesterday’s Dream”, which was translated in various local dialects and languages, as the community singing. They sang all together as they close this special event. As the program officially came to an end, all the participants took the opportunity to have some photo ops together with Fr. Seb and Ms. Aminda as a remembrance on their unforgettable experience with the 13th Harmony Youth Day.

13th Harmony youth Day Video:

With the spirit of the World Interfaith Harmony Week Celebration, Silsilah held a symposium focusing on Dialogue with Creation. Silsilah has been giving special attention to creation as a part of its mission. With this symposium, a documentary about creation entitled the “11^th hour” featuring Leonardo Dicaprio was presented to the participants. At least four hundred participants attended this special event with the hope to understand more the concerns of our environment. This is also an occasion to re-launch and present the Dialogue with Creation Partners Movement and to recognize some of the partners.

Participants from different organizations, institutions and students from different schools registered for the event. People’s Organization from Baluno brgy. also attended the activity. The number of students from different schools was large and they were full of enthusiasm during the event.

The program started with the Welcome address of the President of Silsilah Dialogue Movement, Ms. Aminda E. Saño, EDC. She recognized the different organizations, institutions and schools who are present at the special event. She also shared the significance of celebrating the World Interfaith Harmony Week and the one of the Pillars of Silsilah which is the Dialogue with Creation.

The presentation of the documentary 11^th hour followed after the first speaker which focused on mankind’s stewardship of the planet. The objective of this documentary was to present the different works of people which really affects the nature. On this documentary, it clearly emphasized how exploitation, industrialization, globalization and population extremely damaged our environment to the extent of ravaging our forests for money and infrastructures.

The documentary stated that 11^th hour is a sign of the last moment when change is possible and the last chance for mankind to start repairing the damage.

Students who attended this special event viewed a very educational documentary where we hope, that the students and even other groups and institutions will reflect and redirect our doings for the upkeep of our environment and our common home.

The 2^nd speaker, Prof. Noel Salatan discussed about the “Ridge to Reef”. Ridge to Reef is a program which aims to protect, demonstrate sustainable approaches, and provide better economic understanding of the links between salt and freshwater ecosystems. In relation with the documentary, he explained that the Ridge to Reef program can help in protecting the environment especially the wetland and marine environments. This presentation is also a was to conserve and to solve water pollution.]

The participants were encouraged to raise their questions and clarification for the different presentations and the documentary. The speakers answered the questions like “What is actually acid rain?”. Some students shared what their schools are doing to help protect the environment like proper waste disposal .

Hja. Sarah L. Handang gave the inspirational message for the special celebration. World Interfaith Harmony Week was really a significant week for all. Many activities were celebrated during the week. The symposium on Dialogue with Creation was one of the good initiatives where the event focused not only on the youth and community but also on the need of our environment. Hja. Sarah Handang appreciated this kind of initiative of Silsilah and also recognized the effort of the participants for attending the activity.

The speakers of the special event received a certificate of recognition.

From left: Dr. Reynaldo C. Navacilla, Noel F. Salatan, and Mrs. Hja. Sarah Handang, and Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME.

Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME giving the Closing remarks. Fr. Sebastiano, the founder of Silsilah Dialogue Movement is motivated by many initiatives. Silsilah is the Convener of WIHW and gave full attention and effort in gathering partners for this celebration. The symposium on Dialogue with Creation was one of the initiatives of Silsilah, with the hope that people can learn to take care of our environment as part of our daily mission. The event will help us realize more that our environment needs to be healed.

Our environment is one of the greatest examples we have of God’s power. This special event made a great impact to the participants. We should also make initiatives for our environment and remind people that the growing concern of the environment must be resolved. Our environment has always been a part of our survival. We are called as stewards of creation but we utmost failed to face this challenge. The state of our environment today is challenging us to do more. Silsilah, as the frontline of this mission held a successful event and will continue to do more events in line with this initiative.

World Interfaith Harmony Week 2019 continues its celebration on the third day of February, despite the heightened security in the city. On this special occasion, the National Commission of Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) conducted their first Cultural Summit in Zamboanga City coinciding with the WIHW celebration. In relation with this, the NCMF Regional Director Dr. Zulkifar Abantas, collaborated with the Silsilah Dialogue Movement and decided to visit and conduct a short program in Silsilah, Harmony Village, Sinunuc. A good number of delegates arrived in Harmony Village with Police and Military for security and order. Among the 70 visitors, half of them were delegates from Indonesia and Malaysia who express their deepest gratitude and happiness for an earnest welcome from Silsilah.

The documentary of Silsilah was viewed by the delegates. This documentary introduces the Mission and Vision of Silsilah. It also includes the programs of Silsilah with the four Pillars of Dialogue: Dialogue with God, Self, Others and Creation. With full attention, they watched the presentation and were motivated to know more about the Movement.

The delegates viewed the presentation of the HARUM-Malaysia. The presentation is about the famous author Rumi where his book was entitled “Book of love”. They distributed booklets which introduces Rumi and his works to the Silsilah Dialogue Movement.

Dr. Zulkifar Abantas, NCMF Regional Director shared his gratitude and happiness for having this opportunity. To visit the Silsilah in this essential occasion make him feel fulfilled. He thanked Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra for granting his request and spending time together with the Indonesian, Malaysian and National Commission of Muslim Filipinos delegates.

Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME received a symbolic Shawl as a sign of friendship with the Indonesian delegates. Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME was challenged to dream more and to continue his mission for Dialogue and Peace in Mindanao and in Philippines.

Truly, the differences of people can be accepted, if we learn to respect and know them more. Peace is very challenging in Mindanao. It is as if yesterday we made two steps towards peace but in just one act of terrorism, it feels like we were pulled a hundred steps away from peace. However, people with genuine heart and intentions will work to achieve it no matter how tough it will be. Peace will be achieved, if people will never lose the idea of love in their hearts. We are hoping for more symbolic activity of Muslim-Christian Dialogue and to inspire people to thrive more to have a better world and society with restored humanity.

Video:

For the past consecutive years, the Emmaus Dialogue Movement is conducting the activity called “Neighbors in Harmony” every February in line with the celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week. The activity aims to gather people in the community to share o how each one can be instruments of peace and to have harmony among themselves and to reflect on any feeling or situation that affect their relationship as neighbors and lastly, to learn how to forgive and learn from the challenges that they faced every day. The Emmaus Circle members also take this occasion to introduce the “Harmony Prayer” to the community. They have also reflected that each one should know and understand that God loves us regardless of our religion, race, beliefs, and status in life. We should to embrace and respect each ones’ personality because we are Authentic in our own way.

The activity aims to widen the imagination and creativity of the participants to challenge them to express and manifest harmony through music and words.

At the end, Emmaus members are “listening to the voice of the Jesus through the poor and those who suffer.”

Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME was invited to share the message of World Interfaith Harmony Week in the Filipino-Turkish Tolerance School. With the Spirit of World Interfaith Harmony Week, this school celebrated the activity with the youth.

The youth of the Filipino-Turkish Tolerance School started the day with the banner making. This banner was made earlier and was used to represent the groups’ name and yells. With full enthusiasm, the activity started with the loud yells and cheers from the students. The banner was creatively designed by the students themselves with the different tribal names of each group. The event was organized by FTTS Faculty and the Student Government of the school.

Ms. Venus E. Montebon – Silsilah staff was the first speaker of the activity. She focused her topic on Culture of Dialogue and the four pillars of Dialogue. Silsilah long reflected on this dialogue and the mission to promote Dialogue and Peace to youths, young professionals and different groups or institutions through seminars and formations.

Ms. Lady Anne Sheena Macero – Silsilah staff, World Interfaith Harmony Week Coordinator was the second speaker of this activity. She started her talk with an activity which required creativity and teamwork. Her topic focused on Culture of Dialogue: Social Transformation. The youth participated with the activity in full enthusiasm and energy aiming to win every round of the activity given to them.

Sets of activity were thoroughly prepared by the speaker and the students were attentively listening to the instructions of the speaker. At the end of the activity, the students learned about the importance of social transformation especially the Pillar of Dialogue which is the “Dialogue with Others”.

The joy of dialogue and learning at the same time is very commendable to the youth to develop proper behavior and reminded by the SSS values, Sincerity, Sensitivity and Solidarity.

Peace is a way of being and a way of living. The Celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week has been always promoting peace and harmony for the common good. This activity of the youth is not only to train them to lead but also to learn interreligious dialogue. It is the time to activate the youth of the world. This kind of activity really helps the millennial to be recognizing not only on academics but also to acquire the proper values to have a harmonious society.

To educate and enlighten the youths about social services and also promote goodness in the community, to reconnect people with a common goal, which is to build a better community. The opportunity to have a space for the youth, in the spirit of World Interfaith Harmony Week, is good but it must be done more often. To teach the youth the essence of acceptance, tolerance, interreligious dialogue and love for humanity is very essential. Advocating dialogue with the youth can develop their ideals and hopefully one day, the youth can change the world for the common good.

The Commission on Human Rights and Western Mindanao State University made their effort to gather Fourth year Mass Communication students at the College of Liberal Arts to lend their time to participate in the Freedom of Speech forum for them to also gain information that can be used in their respective fields. In recognizing current issues, the media plays a vital role in the dissemination of information to contribute in giving light to situations and challenges that our society is facing.

            In connection with the Celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week 2019, our freedom of speech should be done to build a connection with people and the society rather than to destroy the people and our society. We must be dialogical in every way that we can. We must also speak the truth with sincerity in spreading factual information that can help in creating solutions than making additional problems that could be detrimental to humanity and the society.

            At the end of the day, the activity helped us realized that the things that we do must always be linked to our Almighty God so we can do what is best for ourselves, others and our society. Part of what makes us better persons is doing things or uttering a word that comes from the bottom of our hearts and Truth, Sincerity and Forgiveness should be practiced even after this weeklong celebration.