Today marks the International Peace Walk in Mindanao.
We can recall the September 9 siege last year in Zamboanga City that misplaced thousands of families and destroyed infrastructures down to the ground. Victims revive stories of first-hand experiences during their captive in the hands of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). A year after, pieces of memories still linger in the minds of the Zamboangeños. But they can always stand up.
I was told that there would be an upcoming Peace Walk in Zamboanga City that would be graced with Korean guests. They will be here in the city to help us build back better Zamboanga, and more importantly, move on. Their presence to the event would be awesome and true enough, their appearance earlier in the event made the crowd go wild as they cheer for the guests. It isn't peculiar for Pinoys to cheer at speeches they don't understand. As long as they're helping us, they'll be glad to clap their hands for an applause. Well, I was one of the members of the crowd who were too far to hear the interpreter decipher the Korean's speech, so, I don't know, i just clapped.
Annyeong hasseyo!
These are some of the guests from the Korean-based organization, Heavenly Culture, World Peace. They talked on matters that deal on the restoration of peace in Zamboanga City and eventually, to the world.
A Korean media man atop a makeshift tower for a better camera view.
Students of Zamboanga City State Marine Science and Technology (ZCSMST) cheered and waved flags as they were acknowledged for their presence.
It's fascinating to notice how awesomely noisy the crowd was. Amid the great 2 in the afternoon heat, they were eager to stay at their places until the proper peace walk. Maybe because they were required at staying or they liked having the sun burn their skin or they prefer listening to the speeches of great cause than minding the sun or they didn't have the choice but to stay put and enjoy the moment of congestion to the road. The latter seemed fit for these next pictures.
The 612-mile walk from the City Hall grounds to Paseo del Mar wasn't strenuous said than done. We had to stop over at a random store for a drink. But I wonder how I could not be tired at walking to such distant places when I go alone for a Friday getaway.
These are the participants with their slogans and posters.
The sun-bathed us, still ready for a picture.
The International Peace Walk would kick off the month-long activity leading to the September 9 siege commemoration. There are also healing and confidence building activities that intend to "heal the wounds of the past" for a better Zamboanga. Pondering over, the peace walk is unlikely going to contribute to the healing process that the city aims to achieve. Although the signing of the peace pact served to slowly mend the wound and calm the troubled waters, there are still major problems that should be taken seriously.
Then again, let's still row the boats and rise the banners. We're one step closer to achieving peace. I hope next time, we would be running the race towards it, not just making lame, slow walks.
Photos courtesy of The University Digest (Jonathan Acabo)
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