Kalilintad. Kalinaw, Kapayapaan. Peace

A Reflection by Charles James S. Antolan – a College Seminarian of the Prelature of Marawi

Kalilintad, kalinaw, kapayapaan, these are just some of the many other translations of the word “peace” that most people seek to live in. It is a state which people especially in Mindanao, thirst for over the years, decades, even centuries.

On June 19-21, 2023, I attended a Peace-Building Seminar held in Midway Minkay Resort, Tubigon, Initao, Misamis Oriental. The said program was actually entitled “Culture of Peace and Peaceful Conviction Workshop for Catholic and Faith-Based Leaders“,  organized intentionally for the Lay Parishioners/Leaders of the Prelature of Marawi, by Pakigdait, Inc., a Non-Government Organization composed of Muslim, Catholic and other Christian-denomination leaders. The workshop aimed to provide a safe space for interfaith conversation and to co-learned on peaceful convictions and connections.

The three-day peace-building workshop was composed with three inputs and series of team building activities. The first input was given by the Bishop of the Prelature of Marawi and Pakigdait BIL Chairman, Most Rev. Edwin A. dela Peña, MSP, DD. His talk narrated the history and interfaith journey of the Prelature of Marawi where the late Bishop Bienvenido “Tatay Bidu” Tudtud was remembered and paid homage. Bishop Edwin put emphasis and elaborated the Prelature’s Vision, “To offer a reconciling presence among Muslims through dialogue of life and faith“.

The second input was given by Ma’am Jenny T. Sanguila, the Program Manager with her topic “Introduction to Peaceful Conviction and Culture of Peace“. And the third input was about “Islam and Peacebuilding” given by Ustajdh Abdul Kareem Ambor.

With all of these three inputs, the common thing that struck me the most is the word “dialogue.” It is through dialogue that we overcome conflicts. I agree that conflict is a normal part of any relationship; people tend to have conflicts because each of us has our own unique history and character, and perspectives in life. But it is dangerous, in the sense that, if not addressed properly, it might lead to violence. Thus, the challenge is to direct this conflict towards a process of positive change.

Throughout my life, I have experienced several kinds of conflicts in the family, among my friends, and even with myself. Years ago, I remember specific persons where I had conflict with, it just started with a small miscommunication and led to ignoring and avoiding which lasted for several months before becoming friends again. Honestly, I am not proud of saying it because the relationship was restored not through dialogue or any process of reconciliation. It just so happened through a particular situation where there was a need to deliver a word and from then slowly repairing the broken relationship without dealing the problem.

I recognize that I was driven by my ego to choose not to make an initiative to reconcile. The same situation happened in me four times with different persons. Now, whenever I got conflicts with other persons, I struggle to set aside my pride yet I also strive to manage myself and try to start dialogue with the person I’m having the conflict with. For me, it does not just give peace but makes me more humane and to grow in my humanity.

Before her input,  Ma’am Jenny Sanguila gave us an activity of drawing our sign of peace. On the blank sheet of paper, I drew three intersecting circles. For me, it shows that despite of our differences, culture, religion, philosophies, personalities, we still have lots of similarities that bind us, that make us united, and that we are all human persons sharing the life and a home entrusted to us.

So much for that, I enjoyed every team-building activities we had. Teamwork was enhanced and messages were pondered. The “Build that bridge” activity taught me how important communication skill is, the capacity to understand and to be understood, and most especially the capability to connect with others despite differences.

My most meaningful activity for me was that activity (activity name unidentified) where a representative from a group was blind folded and had to pick up specific emojis as many as possible that were scattered on the ground with the help of team members’ guidance. With that activity, I realized the importance of listening skills. When I was blindfolded, I found myself in need of others’ guidance by listening to their voices. What made the challenge difficult was that there were many shouts, dictations, and directions that even the other team was also giving me false directions.

For me, one of the significant messages it conveyed was to identify the most reliable and trusted individuals. Today, there are many deceiving voices that we may hear that claim to be right but would only lead us to misfortunes and wrong outcomes. In line with our faith, we have to identify the voice of God constantly calling and talking to us.

The peace-building seminar was fun, enjoyable and full of takeaways. I am glad to meet some parish leaders and youth in the Prelature and made memories with them. I hope and pray that we may continue to become peace builders in our respective parishes and communities. May God continue to bless all of us. Maayong Good Morning.