"Peace and Democracy: make your voice heard!"

September 21, 2011, marks the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Peace. As we begin today a 100-day countdown to the observance, we pay tribute to the many civil society activists who lent the strength of their imagination to the institution of this Day. The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1981 that the Day shall be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

It invited all Member States, the United Nations system, regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, peoples and individuals to commemorate the Day in different ways, especially through all means of education, and to cooperate with the United Nations in the observance of that day. Education, and the fruits of education, have been central to this observance. Young women and men everywhere are demonstrating the power of connection by reaching out to each other, and rallying together, in the common cause of the dignity and human rights to which their peoples aspire. It is in tribute to them, and the spirit they represent, that we have chosen this year, under the overall idea of Peace and Democracy, the theme of “Make your voice heard.”

The United Nations stands ready to work with the peoples in whose name the International Day of Peace was established to secure a world ready for, and worthy of, the peace that is essential to all creative human endeavor.

The Preamble to the United Nations Charter states that the Organization was founded to prevent and resolve international conflicts and help build a culture of peace in the world.

Peace and democracy are inextricably linked. Together, they form a partnership that promotes the well-being of all. Embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, democracy supports an environment for a host of political rights and civil liberties.

In line with the Day’s theme, something profoundly remarkable was happening in the world. Young women and men everywhere are demonstrating the power of solidarity by reaching out and rallying together for the common goal of dignity and human rights. This powerful force brings with it the potential to create a peaceful and democratic future. It’s not too late to add your voice.

"Batang Kalabaw"

This is about children who is going in the forest to get some wood and they will sell it to get some money to help their parents.

Carlo Tubay who is a 5th grader, Randy who is only 6 years old and the youngest in their group, and Cherilyn as the oldest and 14 years old. They walk for 4 hours but they get an income of 1.50 pesos in one day and 8-10 pesos is their income in every ordered wood. They carry 2 per 2 to eight feet and 50-20 kilo wood. They only get 3 pesos in one day in their service.

After working, Cherilyn Villaseran is doing house work. She is working for 7 years. Her father is in the jail because of murder while her mother is insane because of the death of his older brother. Cherilyn is one of the children who is not going to school. Her mother named Nenita Villaseran is living in her aunt. She gets an income of 6 pesos everyday and the biggest income was 12 pesos.

Jay Taruc was the documentarist, Lea Llamoso was the reporter, Jayson Cruz as the camera man and Howie Severino was the host of the show.

We should be more responsible in our country because we don't know that many Filipinos are suffering from the faults of our government agencies. We should remember that they are humans who need help and care of others and most of all they have goals and dreams in their life so don't forget to help others with all your heart.

"Batang Mansisibak"

This documentary is made by Cesar Apolinario. It is about children who swim in Manila Bay to get some garbage that can be sell in the junk shop. This children are those who are unfortunate but despite of this happenings they still trying their best to get some food to eat. There are 7 children who is taking garbage in Manila Bay known as "Mansisibak".

Jubelyn Garcia have a husband who is a garbage collector. Her husband only income 100 peso a day. 2 in their 4 children are taking garbage in the bay. Arnold who is 10 years old of age and 9 years old boy named Buboy. They called the trash as "Sibak"

Arnold is taking garbage since he is 5 years old and 6 years from now. Arnold is only grade 3 and he wants to be a doctor someday while Buboy stop in schooling because he said that it is happier to get garbage in the bay than going to school. Another mansisibak named Antonio Gonzales is not going to school because of poverty. Buboy knew that he have diabetes in his early age and because of this disease, his kidney is slowly destroyed while Arnold has a heart disorder.

The government of the Philippines should help those children to go in school because it is more important to become an educated human so that you can have a good future someday. At their early age they are working for their food instead of going to school. The only solution is to make our economy grow and help those people who is poor.

"The Collaboration with the Americans"

The Filipino learned to fight among themselves when they exiled in HongKong. Isabelo Artacho, the Secretary of the Interior of the Supreme Council, wanted the 400,000 paid by Spain to be divided equally among them but General Emilio Aguinaldo refused. Aguinaldo wanted to bought some equipments and he wanted to used those money to buy weapons. On April 23, 1898 Aguinaldo and Howard Bray sailed to Singapore And they were able to talk with each other. Believing that the Americans could help win the Philippine Independence, Aguinaldo voiced his desire to return to the Philippines and lead the armed revolution against the Spain. Pratt immediately sent a cable to Commodore George Dewey, head of the United States Navy Asiatic Squadron, in Hongkong.

The money was separated in two instances:

>50,000 pesos and 67,000 pesos for the purchase of weapons needed in the revolution.

But sadly the first amount was used but the second amount didn't arrived, nor it was returned to the Filipinos.

On May 4,1898, the Filipino members of the Hongkong Junta assembled together to discuss the events taking place in the Philippines. Junta is a Spanish term for GATHERING. Felipe Agoncillo headed the Junta in Hongkong.

The members were:

>President - Felipe Agoncillo
>Members - Doroteo Lopez, Teodoro Sandico, Anastacio Francisco, Mariano Llanera, Miguel Malvar, Andres Garchitorena, Maximo Kabigting, Antonio Montenegro, Faustino Lichauco, and Severino Buenaventura.

They agreed that Aguinaldo must come back to the Philippines to lead an uprising against the Spaniards.

"Trial and Death of Bonifacio"

On April 29, 1897, the War Council was established just to try the Bonifacio brothers in a military court. The military court was composed of:

>President - General Mariano Noriel
>Members - General Tomas Mascardo, Crisostomo Riel, Placido Martinez, Mariano Riego de Dios, Esteban Ynfante, and Sulficio Antonio.

Andres and Procopio was sentence to death because they are found guilty by the court. Aguinaldo commuted that the death of the brothers was sentenced to life imprisonment but the military advisers prevailed upon him just to preserve the movement under one leader with unity of the country.

On May 10, 1897, General Noriel handed a letter to Major Lazaro Macapagal, to bring the Bonifacio brothers to Mt. Buntis near Maragondon, Cavite. They always brought their prisoners at Mt. Buntis. After reading the letter they shotted the Bonifacio brothers and buried them in a shallow grave. They are buried with nothing just a piece of wood that marks the spot.

"The Cry Of Balintawak or Pugad Lawin"

One night, when the Katipunan was discovered, Bonifacio and his men escaped to the north of Manila or what we called Balintawak. Pio Valenzuela, a Filipino physician and patriot, left behind and joined the Katipunan on the next day.

on August 23, 1896 all the men held a meeting at the house of Juan Ramos, the son of Melchora Aquino. The katipuneros decided that they will fight the Spaniards for the Philippines freedom. They tore their cedulas or their residence certificates. A cedula is a community tax certificate.They shouted "MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS! MABUHAY ANG KATIPUNAN" that symbolizes the beginning of the revolution.

This event marked the beginning of the Philippine Revolution of 1896 against the Spaniards.

"The Teachings Of The Katipunan"

The teachings of Katipunan was also called Kartilla ng Katipunan made by Emilio Jacinto (Utak ng Katipunan).
The Kartilla was composed of 13 rules, composed of:

I. A life not devoted to a worthy cause is like a tree without leaves.

~you need to help others as well you help your self because it will become useless if you don't help others by your self and from your heart.

II. A good deed that was not done sincerely is not considered a virtue.

~even though you help others if you don't do it by the bottom of your heart, it is worthless.

III. Real virtue lies not only in charity and love of neighbor, but also in the purity of one's thoughts, words, and actions.

~A virtue also revolves around the purity of one's words and actions not only in helping others or by loving others.

IV. All men are equal, regardless of race, color, and culture.

~even though the color of your skin is different unlike others, you are a men like them because all men are equal even they are different in appearance.

V. A wise man values abstinence over indulgence.

~a wise man always valuing his self-denial before his humor.

VI. A person with delicadeza knows how to keep his word.

~a person who have a shame knows when to keep his word or his secrets.

VII. Never waste time; opportunities that passed by may come again, but time passed can never be brought back.

~Time is gold so, don't waste time and always do your job on time.

VIII. Defend the oppressed and fight the oppressor.

~for example someone is bullying your classmate you will say to the oppressor that stopped what he is doing because it is bad to bully others. Never defend the other side or the oppressor because it is bad.

IX. An intelligent person exercises prudence in his words, and knows when to keep a secret.

~an intelligent person knows to keep a secret and how to keep it and never say it.

X. A man serves as a model to his wife and children; thus, the leader who is headed in the wrong direction also leads his followers astray.

~you need to be a good leader because what you are doing is just like what they are doing. Sometimes the followers don't know if the doings of their leader was wrong because the leader must know what is the right from wrong and leaders must do good.

XI. Do not look at a woman as a source of pleasure, but as a partner in one's joys and sorrows; remember your mother who brought you up since you were a baby.

~women is not only for the pleasure of men they are also you're partner when you have a problem. Women has a big part in our community.

XII. What you do not want done unto your own wife, daughter, and sister, do not do unto the wife, daughter and sister of others.

~do not do to others if you don't want to do unto you, sometimes if you do something bad to others they will do it to you as a retribution to you.

XIII. A person's worth does not depend on being a king, priest, or having a high position in society, nor in he shape of one's nose or color of one's skin. It is found in his goodness, honor, and pure intentions; in those who do not abuse nor allow themselves to be abused; and in those who know concern and love for one's country.

~even though you are beautiful, royal blood or a famous artists, if you are hatred, selfish and arrogant you are useless because it depends in how you love your country and others as you love yourself.

"The Results of the Propaganda Movement"

Propaganda Movement is a peaceful campaign during Spanish time. This campaign has a leader called Propagandists.
The results of the Propaganda Movement were:
-GOOD
1.Tobacco Monopoly was abolished.
2.The tribute was replaced and became cedula tax.
3.The 40 days forced labor was reducted and became 15 days a year.

-BAD
1.The members of the Propaganda Movement were arrested.
2.Some Filipinos were accused as a member of the Propaganda Movement.
3.Many Filipinos were imprisoned.
4.This movement failed to convince the Spanish Authority to carry out major reforms in the Philippines.
5.Filipinos didn't got their freedom from the Spaniards.

The Propaganda Movement was a failure of giving freedom in the Philippines.