Time travels fast. On 20 August 2008, three friends just had coffee at Coffeemix and a little discussion on issues then plaguing Mindanao. I was one of the three--the other two are among the angels in my life.
Somehow, we remembered a video we earlier saw--and from here ideas flowed.
With the conflict situation plaguing Mindanao at that time, were the people--a beautiful cross of multicultures--enveloped with confusion? Mindanaoans themselves seemed to be torn between choices of what they really want for the beautiful land of treasures.
It was a time for the young generation to speak up--their future was at stake. It was their voice that was most needed.
Young, fresh, straight from their hearts and minds, showcasing the might of the pen--nearly five hundred campus writers from nine cities and two provinces in Mindanao shared their thoughts and voiced out.
October in Zamboanga, Lamitan , Isabela , Iligan , Kidapawan, Koronadal, and Cotabato Cities. November in Jolo (Sulu), Bongao (Tawi-Tawi), Marawi, Dipolog and Dapitan Cities--and then back to Zamboanga City in early December. It was a way to celebrate the 2008 Mindanao Week of Peace, too.
Students penned their thoughts. Students painted their ideas.
Indeed, representing nearly two hundred schools from southern Philippines, there they are--the Voice of Mindanao.
As the core group are still working hard over the 2009-2010 biennial calendar, and the book showcasing the winning entries of the 2008 Feature Writing Competition, this blogsite shall be one of its windows of good will.
-Frencie Carreon
Program Head
