2018-Zamboanga

On the occasion of the World Inter-Faith Harmony Week 2018 with the theme “Celebrating the Transforming Power of the Love of God and Love of Neighbor for the Common Good.” the Emmaus Volunteers made an effort to reach out to the community of Culianan to gather their friends and neighbors to join the “Neighbors in Harmony” activity and to be one in celebration of the World Inter-Faith Harmony Week 2018.

The World Inter-Faith Harmony Week is celebrated every year in the first week of the month of February. It is the time of the year that we are called and reminded to be in dialogue among different faiths and religions. Praying the “Harmony Prayer” together can unite people regardless of what they believe in and it is a Universal prayer that can bring and lead people back to God. Our differences should not be a hindrance to show our love and respect to everyone. We must learn to appreciate the individuality that each of us have. The “Four Pillars of Dialogue” will serve as our guide through our journey in living our lives in dialogue. We need to be in Dialogue with God where one should go back to one’s religion and deeply understand God’s dialogue, mercy and compassion to us, to humanity. We need to be in Dialogue with our Self, this will help us to hear God’s voice within us, it will give us time to reflect and to embrace the wholeness of our being. We need to be in Dialogue with Others, having good relationship with the people around us means that we see God in other people and we see the goodness in them. And lastly, it is important for us to be in Dialogue with Creation, we need to be in dialogue with nature, we need to protect our environment and prevent it from destruction. Caring for Mother Earth, is caring for our home and for humanity.

In the end, learning to love one’s self is acceptance of our flaws and imperfections, of who we really are and what we believe in, through this, we will also learn to accept and love others without criticizing them for who they are and what they also believe in. We should keep in mind that God loves us the way we are, we must learn to embrace and respect each other’s uniqueness because in the eyes of God, we are all his children and we are all the same.

 

“Health Professionals Delivering Total Patient Care in a Multicultural and Multi Religion Setting”

West Metro Medical Center is happy to be again part of this year’s celebration of World Interfaith Harmony Week by hosting a forum entitled “Health Professionals Delivering Total Patient Care in a Multicultural and Multi Religion Setting”. It was held at West Metro Conference Room. On February 7, 2018 at 1:30pm.

Two health professionals with decades of experience shared insights into how they carried out holistic patient care, including the spiritual aspect, in their patients, especially those who are of  different faiths.

The forum was an attempt to look into how interfaith dialogue takes place in a health care setting.

This was attended by instructors from different nursing schools in Zamboanga, members of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement, and the West Metro doctors and nurses.

 

 

INTER-RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY EXPOSURE AND GATHERING

THEME: “Connecting Dots of Harmony through extensive Interreligious Engagement”

Date: February 4, 2018
Venue:: Pantano, Upper Calarian, Zamboanga City

In line with the celebration of World Inter-Faith Harmony Week 2018, the Integrated Resource Development for Tri-people, Inc. (IRDT) and through the support of the Asia Foundation held a one-day Interreligious Community Exposure and Gathering with the theme “Connecting Dots of Harmony Through Extensive Inter-Religious Engagement.” the Part 1 of the activity was the immersion of the participants to the community. Group 1 was assigned in the Community of Sumariki while Group 2 was assigned in Upper Calarian.

Cultural Diversity is existing in many communities in Zamboanga City. Pantano Upper Calarian is just one of the communities where one can observe the diversity of cultures and religions in the area. The Christian participants had an opportunity to be with Muslim families while the Muslim participants had an opportunity also to be with Christian families, for them to know and understand how they maintain their good relationship with their neighbors despite having differences.

Most of what the participants have observed is that “Respect” is very essential in maintaining good relationship with each other. Embracing the differences that we have and Acceptance of people for who they are and what they believe in without criticizing them is just one of the key to become a better person and to have a better community.

Medical Mission with Hand Washing Demonstration, Breast Cancer Detection, Career Guidance and Feeding Program

A medical mission was held at Phase 1 Masepla in Barangay Mampang last February 5 (Monday) in partnership with Batch 1993 of the Zamboanga Chong Hua School, Cuidad Medical Zamboanga, Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc. and the Silsilah Dialogue Movement. The said medical mission in is line with the celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week who catered to about 150 residences, which has simultaneous checkups on mothers and children. Most have benefitted on the Consultation, Breast Cancer Detection, Hand washing, Career guidance and feeding program. With the help of the Barangay Council of Mampang and the Task Force Zamboanga the mission became orderly and peacefully.

This medical mission was an instrument to displaced people living in the area- people who cannot go to hospitals, people who were malnourished because of scarcity of food, people who do not bear in mind of their hygiene because they don’t have a good place to stay and people who don’t follow the doctor’s prescription because they do not have any money.

Residents of barangay Mampang expressed their deepest gratitude to the said medical mission. And the recipients knew that some people are willing to reach out and still care for them.

Thus, the partners are looking forward to another collaboration to assist the needy. They may not be able to cure everyone, but at least they haveenlightened them that there are groups who are always there to try to assist the best way they can.

 

Harmony Award Initiative

It is a beautiful day to gather special people for the essential event called the Harmony Award Initiative. This initiative is part of the World Interfaith Harmony Week celebration. The Harmony Award is given to Muslim and Christian families chosen among those families who are examples of dialogue and peace in the community. This award is sponsored by the Comunita’ Dialogo- Italy and the Silsilah Dialogue Movement.

The Harmony Award Initiative was formed last December to gather people who have taken great initiatives on their respective communities and became an example to others to do more with an intention to achieve in the spirit of the Love of God and the Love of Neighbor for the common good.

Testimonial sharing was given by two (2) foster parents from Barangay Lower Calarian and Barangay Sta. Catalina, they shared their experiences together with their Muslim and Christian friends, that regardless of what religion they practice, we are the same, we all love God, and if we love God we should also love our neighbors. We don’t treat them differently from us, but as one of us.

 

This award is also to commemorate the late Fr. Salvatore Carzedda, PIME, who is a symbol of hope to all.  On the sharing of Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME, we quote “To help is not only money; to help is in many ways.” Truly, we may not have enough, yet we can make that enough- to many others.

 

 

LEADERS SUMMIT:  A GENUINE MANIFESTATION OF GENUINE INTERFAITH HARMONY

Another activity marked the celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week celebration was the gathering of all local and national leaders for the covenant signing and reaffirmation on the message of this year’s theme the “ Celebrating the Transforming Power of the Love of God and the Love of Neighbor for the Common Good” held at Celebrity Hall of the grans Astoria Hotel.

Hundreds of invitees from the different partner – agencies and sectors came to witness the gathering including those from the military sector, academe, religious sector, social and civic organizations, government and non – government agencies and private individuals.

Messages and reaffirmations on Interfaith Harmony were given by representatives of the different World Interfaith Harmony Partners from Zamboanga City even from across the land. Mayor Maria Isabel Climaco – Salazar gave an encouraging message on Interfaith Harmony including success stories through the collaborative efforts of interfaith partners.

Signing of the covenant followed by  Heads of Offices of the partner agencies, representatives, Harmony partners, advocates of peace affix signatures as a manifestation of the full support of dialogue in the Zamboanga City as an instrument in attaining peace and harmony in the City of Zamboanga.  The afternoon’s activity ended with a group picture taking.

KICK ACTIVITIES OF THE WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK 2018 COMMENCED

The activities of the World Interfaith Harmony Week for 2018 were all set in place and will be conducted in different venues.  The celebration started with a forum of all tricycle Drivers and Operators of the City of Zamboanga eventually held at Pastoral Centre located at Nuňez St.,Zamboanga City last February 01,  from 10:30 in the morning until 12:00 noontime duly sponsored by  the Responsible Union of Empowered Drivers Association (RUEDA) and the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association of Zamboanga City.  The activity aimed to encourage  the drivers to spread  the essence of Interfaith Harmony to the respective passengers and individuals in their daily routinary activity.

 

A total of more or less two hundred – five drivers to include the operators convened at the stipulated venue for the said gathering.  Mrs. Erlinda Mandih Luello from the tricycle Adjudication Board and Mr. Hermogenes Awid, the President of Tricycle Operators and Drivers of  Zamboanga City were present to clarified and justified some problems and issues which gave satisfaction to all drivers including the operators.

The gathering ended with satisfaction and were given assured solutions to the problems and concerns raised during the conversation.

 

SHARING THE GIFT OF LIFE THROUGH BLOODLETTING

The bloodletting activity became part of the celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week 2018. The mentioned activity was conducted at Pasonanca National High School on the occasion of their 2^nd founding anniversary. The activity was in coordination with the Zamboanga City Medical Centre.  The primordial objective of the activity is to help individuals save lives helping to overcome cultural and religious barriers, however, physical and cultural sensitivities were to be considered and respected.

A medical team composed of Nurses, Medical Technologies, Midwives from Zamboanga City Medical Centre spearheaded the preliminary screening and extraction while the registration and the snacks  for the blood donors were handled by the teachers and some student – volunteers.  Donors flocked to the venue for the activity to include members of Pantawid Program, Parent – Teachers Association, Barangay Officials, Youth sector, Military and security personnel and individuals who came and submit themselves for this noble endeavor.

In an interview with the Peace Link Moderator, Ms. Marisa Paragas she expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the individuals behind this project for choosing their school as the venue of this activity.  She further mentioned that she is proud that their learning institution is not a venue for peace building but also a venue to save lives. This bloodletting activity  eventually lasted for two days.

BARANGAY CONVERSATION: A WAY TO BRING THE SPIRIT OF INTERFAITH DIALOGUE

The first day of the activity of the week-long celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week 2018 was the Barangay conversation.  It aimed to bring the spirit of interfaith harmony among the grassroots levels.  The activity was attended by nine barangays.  One of the highlights during the activity was the presentation of Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra.  It is a short documentary presentation on the Harmony Post and Harmony Award. Established in some selected poor barangay within the City of Zamboanga.  The presentation emphasized that despite of cultural difference and belief, there is still hope for harmony and unity towards the attainment of peace. After the short presentation, open forum followed.

The second session focused on the simulation and output presentation.  The Muslim facilitator shared her experience on Interfaith Dialogue while in Italy from her schooling in Italy.  A workshop followed after the sharing.  The barangays were grouped according to their geographical areas for the workshop and presentation.  The coastal area simulated their presentation on Drugs; the hinterland simulated their presentation focused on Flash Floods while the rural areas simulated their presentation on Waste Disposal.

The facilitator recapitulated the presentations.  There must be proper coordination and intervention of the agencies concerned, continuous education and advocacy for awareness are the identified weapons to combat the problems of the society. In lieu of the President of Silsilah, the founder of the movement gave the closing remarks.  The program officially adjourned after the group picture taking.

 

After reaching out and having the “Neighbors in Harmony” activity in Culianan, guided by the holy spirit, the Emmaus Volunteers have now reached out to the community of Lunzuran and gathered their friends and neighbors to join the “Neighbors in Harmony” activity and to be one with the celebration of the World Inter-Faith Harmony Week 2018 with the theme “Celebrating the Transforming Power of the Love of God and Love of Neighbor for the Common Good.”

Celebrating the World Inter-Faith Harmony Week is also spreading Love, Peace and Harmony in every community and throughout the World.  Prayer is always a very special way of uniting people regardless of religion in communicating with God. Praying the “Harmony Prayer” together where we ask God to purify us, to help us live in Peace, in Harmony and be in Dialogue with all no matter of what faith we believe in can bring us closer back to God and feel his love, mercy and compassion towards us. The World Inter-Faith Harmony Week 2018 and its theme “Celebrating the Transforming Power of the Love of God and Love of Neighbor for the Common Good.” will help us realize that we must be united and that we should be in harmony not only with our neighbors in our community but to all mankind for the common good. Through this, we can recognize and outweigh the differences that we have and we can motivate ourselves to become better persons and live our lives in Dialogue together. Showing love and compassion to our neighbors and to every living faiths will help us to embrace and appreciate the individuality that we all have.  The “Four Pillars of Dialogue” is very essential in guiding us to be in Dialogue with God, Self, Others and Creation. Through this Pillars we will learn to understand the significance of Dialogue in our everyday life.

            In the end, we should always remember that God is working in so many ways, guiding us in everything we do. God is always with us no matter what faith we believe in, he will make us feel his undying love for humanity.