‘Dear P-Noy…’ winning youth bags Smart phone, mobile modem

By Deorenzie Frances Carreon To some youth in Mindanao, having a mobile phone whatever the brand or model may be, at teen stage was a luxury. And to 16-year old Julie Kristine De Guzman, a farmer’s daughter, owning a cellular phone was a dream. Julie is the First Place Winner in the ‘Dear P-Noy Letter-Writing Contest’ that was organized by the Voice of Mindanao (VoM) in partnership with the People Power Volunteers-Center Zamboanga. Being the winner, she was awarded by Smart Communications, a partner in the program, with a cellular phone and the Smart Plug In (Internet) mobile modem. Julie is a second year college sophomore of the University of the Philippines-Mindanao in Davao City, where she pursues a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing, and the fourth of six children of Efren and Julia De Guzman. Julie did not join the VoM-PPVC letter-writing contest for the prizes, however. The Voice of Mindanao took care in not announcing the prizes, nor awarding cash, so as to inspire Mindanao youth to write a letter to President Benigno Simeon ‘Noy’ Aquino, or P-Noy. Julie is among the 104 letter-senders from different places in Mindanao. “Katong nabasa nako ang goal sa contest, there was something within me that really inspired me to write. While gaining the courage to do so, I thought of it not as a contest but as an opportunity to be able to write a message that will reach thousands of hopeless people here in Mindanao. And since bag-o lang ang pagkatungtung ni Pres. Noynoy, I thought that will be a good start and an effective way so he will hear the plea of the people,” the Tagum girl said. “I never had my very own cellphone in my life. Dili nako makalimtan katong nangutana akong classmate nganong dili daw ko hatagan sa akong parents ug cellphone kay ako na lang man gud ang walay cellphone sa among room and considering na Class President ko during 4th year, I found a hard time disseminating information in my classmates so I just ask the Vice President to do the job,” she sighed. She recalled, “Before entering college, they told me naman that they will provide me a phone, finally. But due to some circumstances, hindi matuloy-tuloy. Only then, after I won ‘Dear P-Noy…’ Letter-Writing Contest, I began to realize na siguro the reason why God didn't gave me a phone those times was because He will provide me in a most surprising way! This makes me consider the phone not just an ordinary phone but a gift.” “I really consider SMART Communications as a bridge in providing the cellphone I longed to have and the SMART Plug in broadband which is very useful sa part ko as a student. At least, kapag nasa school dormitory na ako, i-pu-plug ko na lang yun and ta-daah! May instant time na ako to research!” “As a youth, I believe there are a lot of ways in communicating peace. You can attend a rally, stage demonstrations and even speak your side directly. But it is up to us in what way we are going to do this. It's really a good thing na Voice of Mindanao thought of this letter writing to Noynoy as a form of creative peace communication and the contest lived for its name. By just using a pen and paper, we are able to let our thoughts and dreams written in a piece of paper. Tunay ngang "a pen is mightier than a sword". Kung gusto nating maging isa sa makapagtaguyod ng kapayapaan, sana'y idaan din natin ito sa mapayapang paraan -- walang dahas, pawang kapayapaan lamang,” she concluded. Voice of Mindanao is a youth organization designed to empower the next generations for a better southern Philippines. In partnership with the People Power Volunteers Center-Zamboanga, VoM organized a Mindanao-wide writing tilt urging Mindanao youth to write their concerns for Mindanao to President Noy through letters that began with “Dear P-Noy…” The contest, which had the support of Smart Communications (as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility) and Bloomingdale’s Department Store, ran from August 1, and ended on August 18. The qualifying letter-entries were adjudged on August 19, and winners were proclaimed and awarded on August 20, the third year anniversary of VoM. President Aquino received the letters on August 21. This month, the President sent replies to the six winning letter-senders. (DFCR)

UP-Mindanao co-ed wins 'Dear P-Noy...' Letter-Writing Contest

A second year B.A. English student of the University of the Philippines-Mindanao bested 120 other letter-senders or 19 co-finalists in the recently-concluded 'Dear P-Noy...' Letter-Writing Contest. 16-year old Julie Kristine de Guzman of Tagum City joined the contest and sent her entry by e-mail to dearpnoy@mail.com, along with other youth from Mindanao, in a hope to be able to air to President Noy Aquino her dreams for Mindanao. The writing tilt was organized by the Voice of Mindanao, a youth organization composed of the young from various parts of Mindanao, who are bonding together to share visions and hopes for the land of their birth here in southern Philippines, in partnership with the People Power Volunteer Center-Zamboanga City. "Tulungan mong maiangat ang pangalang Mindanao mula sa kanyang pagkalugmok. Tutukan din sana ng iyong gobyerno ang pagsasaayos ng mga imprastruktura para sa transportasyon, turismo at pangangalakal dito sa Mindanao sapagkat lubusan na kaming naiiwan sa pag-unlad," Julie appealed to the President in her letter. 17-year old Mikaela Joyce Somera, a BS Mass Comm. student of the Ateneo De Zamboanga University, placed second. In her letter, she shared with P-Noy, "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." "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," Mikaela wrote. "Mapayabong pa sana ang mga produktong likas sa Mindanao upang magsilbing pang-akit sa mga turista maging sa mga negosyante na magsisilbing daan upang mapayabong ang ekonomiya ng bansa. Sana’y magkaroon ng ngiti sa bawat labi ng taga-Mindanao ngayon at bukas," Julie penned. To third placer Ma. Teresa Carmela Cruz, an AB Mass Comm. sophomore of the Western Mindanao State University, being among the contest winners "changed my life completely." In her letter to P-Noy, she said, "I’m not a seer but I do believe that peace and development is possible with you as our leader and if we all help one another. It is a laborious dream but, if we, the young people of Mindanao will begin the change in ourselves then, we can fulfill our dreams and hope again Peace in Mindanao is possible." The project was conceived by 16-year old Deorenzie Frances Ramos, president of the Voice of Mindanao. Frances, an International Studies freshman of the Ateneo De Zamboanga University, said it was "just timely since P-Noy is starting his term, and we see in him a leader of a nation who is willing to listen to his people. His mention of Mindanao in his inaugural address inspires us Mindanao youth and gives us hope that southern Philippines has a place in his heart not just as a political territory but as a home of Pinoys he as P-Noy wants to serve. We see hope for a real change for Mindanao and the rest of the Philippines under his leadership." PPVC-Zamboanga President Dr. Anton Mari Lim saw the enthusiasm of the young, and willingly supported the cause. "We are just glad to be of help," Lim said. The writing contest is also backed by Smart Communications, which is one of the few companies that do extension projects as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility. Smart has provided support to various schools in Mindanao, adopting some schools, and providing educational materials and even technology support directly or through the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), of which it is a member. Other partners are the Peace and Conflict Journalism Network (PECOJON), MIST-Philippines, the Mein College Language Center, Bloomingdale's Department Store in Zamboanga City, Mindanao Bloggers Association, Philippine Information Agency, MindaNews, and Mindanao media for the information dissemination. "This is a Mindanao-wide effort," Frances of VoM said. The contest kicked off on August 1, the death anniversary of President Cory Aquino, and winners were proclaimed on August 20, the 3rd anniversary of the Voice of Mindanao. PPVC presented the letters to P-Noy on August 21, the death anniversary of Sen. Ninoy Aquino. "We did not give cash prizes, and we are happy to share that the gifts from VoM and our partners were hardly the motivating factor for the participants. They all simply wanted to share with PNoy what they thought. And that is very clear, because we only announced the prizes when judging started," Frances said. The winners all indicated that they liked the VoM t-shirt awarded to them that said, "I sent a letter to P-Noy and got this shirt!" Other winners are Farisia Buhari, Krystel Audrey Wertle, and Kenneth Varquez. The final level was adjudged by Ms. Viel Aquino-Dee (Chairman) of the PPVC, Mr. Christian Olasiman, head of the Noy Yo! Movement in Zamboanga City, Mr. Ryan Rosauro, secretary-general of the Peace and Conflict Journalism Network, Ms. Frencie Carreon, program head of the Voice of Mindanao, and Ms. Carol Arguillas, editor-in-chief of MindaNews. The full text of the winning letters are posted in http://voiceofmindanao.blogspot.com and sites of Mindanao bloggers. PPVC's Lim said the President will respond to the letters after his receipt last Friday. As winner Julie said, "Magsilbi sanang tulay ang liham na ito upang marinig mo ang pangarap naming mga taga-Mindanao." (VoM)

'Dear P-Noy...' --A Letter from Julie Kristine De Guzman, First Place Winner

Dear P-Noy, Sa pagkakaluklok mo sa pinakamataas na posisyon sa bansa, nasa’yo ang aking tiwala. Hindi man ganoon kalakas ang tinig ko bilang ordinaryong estudyante, hayaan mong maisalaysay sa pamamagitan ng liham na ito ang mga pangarap ko bilang taga-Mindanao. Hindi ka man si Superman o Batman, sana’y magkaisa tayong suportahan ang pagbabago alang-alang sa bayan. Hindi man biglaan ang pagbabago, sana’y makapagsimula tayo. ‘Pag sinabing ‘Mindanao’, takot pa rin ang namamayani sa mga nakakarinig nito. Unti-unting natatabunan ang kagandahan nito dahil sa mga pangyayaring hanggang ngayon ay wala pa ring hustisya. Sana’y maging matiwasay ang pagsasaayos ng hindi pagkakaunawaan – mapa-Lumad man, Bangsamoro o Kristiyano. Tulungan mong maiangat ang pangalang Mindanao mula sa kanyang pagkalugmok. Tutukan din sana ng iyong gobyerno ang pagsasaayos ng mga imprastruktura para sa transportasyon, turismo at pangangalakal dito sa Mindanao sapagkat lubusan na kaming naiiwan sa pag-unlad. Pangarap kong mapagmasdan ang bawat bata sa Mindanao na nakabihis-uniporme sa eskwela na bitbit ang lapis at libro. Walang mga tambay sa lansangan. Lahat nasa paaralan at may mga disenteng trabaho ang mga tao kahit hindi nakapag-aral sa kolehiyo. Mabigyan sana ng atensyon ang mga kababayan nating walang ligtas at maayos na komunidad na tirahan. Magkaroon sana sila ng pagkakataon upang may maituring na tahanan. Pangarap kong magkaroon ng kaayusan sa daloy kalsada. Walang naghahari-harian. Lahat pantay-pantay sa karapatan. Maging ganap na malinis sana ang bawat sulok ng kalsada. Sana’y maituring na lugar para sa kalinisan ang mga lugar sa Mindanao. Mapayabong pa sana ang mga produktong likas sa Mindanao upang magsilbing pang-akit sa mga turista maging sa mga negosyante na magsisilbing daan upang mapayabong ang ekonomiya ng bansa. Sana’y magkaroon ng ngiti sa bawat labi ng taga-Mindanao ngayon at bukas. Magsilbi sanang tulay ang liham na ito upang marinig mo ang pangarap naming mga taga-Mindanao. Sumasainyo, Julie Sender: Julie Kristine De Guzman University of the Philippines-Mindanao Tagum City

'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

'Dear P-Noy...'---A Letter from Carmela Cruz, 3rd Place Winner

Dear P-Noy, Greetings! It’s such a great honor for me to share my dream for Mindanao. President Noy, I really want to have peace in Mindanao. I have already heard the peace advocates speak about the situation in Mindanao. For me, it’s one of the priorities that you should pay attention to. The people of Mindanao are hiding under the cloak of invisibility; they’re afraid to face the sun because if they would, it will blind their dreams and hopes. Peace is no longer peace because every time I hear about peace, I see guns, bombs, war, chaos and destruction just to attain the victory for peace. The people are suffering from poverty, how much more if the place where they live is in a conflict-affected area? I feel very sad to think that some Filipinos are fighting and killing each other just to bring peace to our land. Many journalists died in the “Maguindanao Massacre”. They’re supposed to write the real problems in Mindanao; but writing the truth became their Achilles heel because they were killed. Your father was a very noble person. I wrote an article in our local newspaper on his 24th death anniversary and I said; “Ninoy did not use any weapon to fight for democracy; he just used his words, his heart and faith in God to fight for our freedom.” I believe in you, that like your father, you’ll also be our hero. I’m not a seer but I do believe that peace and development is possible with you as our leader and if we all help one another. It is a laborious dream but, if we, the young people of Mindanao will begin the change in ourselves then, we can fulfill our dreams and hope again Peace in Mindanao is possible. Sincerely yours, Carmz Sender: Ma. Teresa Carmela A. Cruz Western Mindanao State University