'Dear P-Noy...' --A Letter from Mykee Somera, 2nd Place Winner

Dear P-Noy, Greetings of Peace! I am Mikaela Joyce Somera, a 17-year old youth of Zamboanga City. As a youth of Mindanao, I have seen with my own naked eye the true condition of Southern Philippines. I dream that one day this condition will eventually change. I have many dreams for Mindanao and I hope that one day, all of my dreams would come to a reality. Mindanao is my home. I hope that one day my home would become a better place. Peace and order has always been one of the major concerns in Mindanao. Series of killings, kidnappings and bombings continue to injure every Mindanaoan’s heart. I am fervently praying and hoping that your plan to initiate peace talks between the rebel groups and the government would eventually calm the situation in Mindanao. I know everything will not happen in a blink of an eye, but in my heart, I strongly believe that it will happen in the right time. I dream that one day, I would be walking confidently to school without having to worry if a bomb might blow off somewhere near me. I dream that one day, no Mindanaoan youth would be going to school with the fear that they might be kidnapped. I dream that one day, no media practitioner will die for voicing out the truth. I hope that one day, every politician would find in their hearts the true essence of public service. Lastly, I dream of a united Mindanao. I dream of a Mindanao that is one in its vision to prosper--for this thing cannot be done by one person only. It cannot be done by a few. And this dream will come true only if every Mindanaoan will work together in unity for the progress of Mindanao. Sincerely, Mykee Sender: Mikaela Joyce Somera Ateneo De Zamboanga University