MANILA – The day the whole world celebrates peace is also the day when Filipinos unite to send peace and good vibes to Zamboanga City.
On the celebration of the International Day of Peace on Saturday, 21 September, civil society organizations (CSOs), celebrities, artists, government and biking enthusiasts will come together to lead “A Nation Praying for Peace,” a vigil that will show the nation’s support to the peaceful resolution of the crisis in Zamboanga City and to send good vibes for the rehabilitation of its affected communities.
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) forces associated with Nur Misuari have perpetrated attacks in Zamboanga, killing more than 80 people, wounding more than 160, and displacing more than 80,000. Misuari, who recently declared independence from Mindanao, accused the government of allegedly terminating the 1996 Final Peace Agreement it has signed, and as an act of defiance, urged his troops to attack the city. The government has denied the termination of the 1996 FPA, saying that it is pushing for the completion of the Tripartite Review Process on the implementation of the agreement.
Highlights of the peace vigil include musical performances from 3 p.m. until midnight, featuring artists, such as Apl.de.ap, Noel Cabangon, Ebe Dancel, Joey Ayala, Lolita Carbon, Gloc-9, Slapshock, Brownman Revival, among others.
A candle-lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. will be led by 200 bikers from The Firefly Brigade, a group known for its annual cycling caravan “Tour of the Fireflies.” The Brigade will kick-off their “Ride for Peace” from the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig where children from a candle-lighting activity in another peace event, Earthdance Manila, will pass on a torch to the bikers. The torch will then be used to light candles for the vigil.
From BGC, bikers will carry the torch along the Pasig-Katipunan-Commonwealth route to Liwasang Aurora at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City where members of different CSOs along with the National Ambassadors of Peace will welcome them for the opening of “A Nation Praying for Peace.”
The arrival of the Tour of the Fireflies will also prompt the start of the candle-lighting ceremony to be led by the singing of the song, “Iisa” by peace ambassadors Ebe Dancel and Datu Khomeini followed by messages of solidarity from CSO leaders and guests.
The event will also feature a Job Fair and Serbisyong Bayan participated in by various government agencies and private companies.
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Communications Director Polly Michelle Cunanan hopes that the events on Saturday will show that peace is still the best option and that peace advocacy is stronger than the drumbeats of war and cynicism.
“We urge the public to participate in activities like this, to make a stand for peace. Every Filipino is enjoined to take part as we are one nation that needs to come together to call for an end to violence,” she said.
“We all need to believe that peace is possible, and that despite the Zamboanga crisis, we can unite so a future of peace for the nation and for the Bangsamoro will not be stolen from us,” Cunanan stated.
She also said that ‘A Nation Praying for Peace’ also comes at a time when the National Peace Consciousness Month is being celebrated in the country.
The Urban Poor Associates, Women Engaged in Action, and Community of Sant’Egidio takes the lead in organizing this event.
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