DAVAO CITY – Huni sa Kalinaw 2.0., a peace concert held yesterday at the Rizal Park in Davao City, served as an avenue to bring the message of peace to a broader audience as part of the activities for this year’s National Peace Consciousness Month.

The event was among the highlights of the Peace Buzz, a caravan that aims to showcase and highlight the peacebuilding efforts of the government and provide updates on the progress of the peace process.

The concert aims to promote the culture of peace among the youth and make a strong call for solidarity for the victims of the conflict in Marawi through the music of Mindanao based artists who are starting to carve a niche in the entertainment industry.

Among the artists who performed are Kalumon Cultural Performing Ensemble, Nayrud Sawada, J & J Acoustic, and Tortang Talong.

Mario Leofer Lim, Director of the Kalumon Cultural Performing Ensemble, emphasized that the message of peace can be spread through music and art.

“Naniniwala ang Kalumon na malaking tulong ang sining sa pagpapalaganap ng mensahe ng kapayapaan sa buong bansa pagkat ito ay walang pinipiling tao. Minumulat nito ag bawat tao sa kahalagahan ng pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan,” he said.

In a press conference before the concert, Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Jesus G. Dureza underscored the importance of the Peace Buzz.

“Part of our work in getting the public to support the peace work is through activities in every area where the Peace Buzz would stop and there will be localized events that these areas will initiate. The aim is to show that the localities themselves, the public and the private sector are as interested as the government in the work for peace,” he said.

The peace concert was organized in collaboration with the City Government of Davao, Ateneo Davao University, Archdiocese of Davao, Rotary Clubs of Davao, different national government agencies, peace partners and various media outlets.

As a sign of continuous commitment for attaining peace in the country, Davao City welcomed the Peace Buzz with a motorcade participated by the regional line agencies, security sector, and the general public.

Aside from the peace concert, a public forum entitled, “Overview and Updates on the Mindanao Peace Process and the Proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law” was also conducted. Among the attendees are the participants of the MasterPEACE Leadership Summit and civil society organizations involved in peace advocacy.

The MasterPEACE is a three-day conference, which aims to help the youth participants from Baguio to Tawi-tawi to understand the aspects and issues of the Mindanao peace process, and to equip them to be effective peace builders in their own communities.

The Film PEACEtival, a peace film showing for the students of Assumption College of Davao is also part of Davao City’s participation in the peace month celebration. The film “Iisa” directed by Chuck Gutierrez was shown.

 The Peace Buzz dropped by key cities to engage and collaborate with different stakeholders to further promote a culture of peace in the country. It began its journey in Baguio City and made stops in Quezon City, Legazpi City, Catarman, Catbalogan City, Butuan City, Bayuga City and will conclude in Iligan City. ###