Global Peace Festival Foundation
Philippines
University Students and Officials celebrate 3rd Global Peace Festival Day in the Campus by giving to GPFF-ALS Communities
Youth Peace Festival in the Philippines Promotes Young People’s Imperative Role on Peace-building in the Community
Twenty thousand people from 20 colleges and universities in the National Capital Region gathered at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds, one of the country’s largest venues for concerts, on September 24, 2011 to celebrate Youth Peace Festival 2011 with the theme, “Youth Peace-building Initiatives Towards Responsive Community Action.”
In partnership with Philippine Society of NSTP Educators and Implementers Incorporated, Higher Education Institutions’ NSTP Sector, SM Prime Holdings and SM Cares, the massive event was hosted by National University which involved thousands of NSTP students in various activities and competitions within a nd outside the campus, contributing to peace awareness among youth and the local communities.
The collegiate gathering which drawn in students on region-wide activities such as Dance for Peace, NSTP Got Talent, Poster Making Contest, Essay Writing Contest, Go Astig Pinoy Recycling Contest and Eco Bag Design Contest aimed to utilize Culture and Arts, Literature, Environmental and Social Awareness as innovative approaches of instilling the importance of youth initiatives towards peace-building and peace consciousness among young Filipino people.
While students marched hand in hand to form the World’s Largest Human Peace Sign (breaking the record formerly set by 12,000 students from Lucena City, also in the Philippines), they also united in gathering simple contributions as an early Christmas gift-giving to “Bahay-Tuluyan,” a deserving aid organization which provides various social services for children.
Highlights of the Main Event also include messages of inspiration from the guest speakers. A Message of Peace by GPFF Founder and Chairman, Dr. Hyun Jin Moon was interpreted by Dr. Michael G. Zablan, Board Member of GPFF-Philippines, emphasizing new interfaith effort for peace and culture of service among young people and everyone present as significant to this year’s theme, “Youth Peace-building Initiatives towards Responsive Community Action.”
“I just want to say that it is a huge commitment for us to do this for one very simple reason. As there are roughly 100 million people being born every year, it may just be enough to assume that we will never run of young people whom we will deal with the challenges of education, youth employment a nd risky behaviors,” Mr. Teodoro J. Ocampo, President and CEO of National University, YPF 2011’s host institution, gave the keynote speech in behalf of SM Prime Holding’s President, Mr. Hans Sy. “This is a very important opportunity for those who have gathered today to spread the positive message amidst all social distractions.”
He also stressed that peace can be built only through action, not with passivity and that everyone has to participate, especially the youth. “What we have today hopes to provide a major boost for the initiative of instilling to the young minds the importance of peace as it is essential that we utilize and work with, and get the views of and partner with young people. It also is the most effective way that we can work, to work with young people, to understand young people, and to advance programs and to design them with you,” he added.
Congressman Raymond V. Palatino, Congress Representative for Kabataan (Youth) Partylist is also present as he declared the sustainability of peace event, which was followed by the releasing of hundreds of blue and white peace balloons. The young crowd also joined the guests and speakers in writing their commitments for peace-building on a huge canvass laid on the same ground which displays Thousands of Signatures for Peace.
Global Peace Youth Corps, a key GPFF affiliate for youth initiatives also expressed their support as a strategic partner. Moreover, YPF 2011 partners thanked GPFF for providing the inspiration an d the universal dream of creating "One Family under God," going beyond race, nationality, and beliefs by staging Global Peace Festivals in more than 20 countries around the world. Famous young performers such as Detour, Cercado Sisters and NU Pep Squad entertained and enlivened the crowd with their signature covers and routines. The ABS-CBN News Channel – known as ANC, Philippines’ first 24-hour news channel, had featured the event during a night broadcast in cable television domestically and in satellite television internationally via The Filipino Channel.