Gov't spreads 'bayanihan' concept via music video

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 29): Gov't spreads 'bayanihan' concept via music video

Government is using art - traditional and new media - to communicate the "bayanihan" concept for peace. Bayanihan is the act of realizing peace through multi-sector involvement, approaches, and participation of stakeholders. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in partnership with various government agencies like the Philippine Communications and Operations Office (PCOO), Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), Optical Media Board (OMB), the Media and Television Review and Classification Board ( MTRCB), and a partner from the private sector, Viva Entertainment, Inc., launched yesterday the music video titled "Bayanihan para sa Kapayapaan" sang by the country's Pop Princess Sarah Geronimo. Geronimo, after personally reading the lyrics and hearing the melody, volunteered to sing the piece for free as her way of supporting the government’s peace efforts said Lesley Jeanne Cordero, PCOO Undersecretary. The AFP sees the need to spread to the entire nation the effort of the military of reaching out to individuals and various interest groups in winning the peace. AFP Public Affairs Officer Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos said the song will best deliver the message of peace to the Filipinos.

The women sector in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) found the video timely and relevant as the country moves up in its peace negotiation after signing the Bangsamoro Framework. "We recognize that the army has a critical role in informing and educating the public about peace. This bayanihan effort will make the army felt in the community not just as a combatant but as a main actor in our peace efforts.", said sectoral representative of women in ARMM Samira A. Gutoc-Tomawis.

Under AFP's Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP), it highlights their operations of winning peace and not just defeating the enemy through Whole-of-Nation Approach and People-Centered Security Approach. The PCOO urged the public to watch the video and spread it through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other social networking sites. Cordero urged cinema, theater owners, and cable operators to help in the dissemination. For it to reach even in areas where there is no internet and television, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) will use radio networks to play the audio for this to be heard by the people. OMB chairperson Ronnie Ricketts committed to have this video shown in schools to educate schoolchildren on the importance of peace. The song awakens the spirit of Bayanihan in every Filipino and invites each one to help realize a shared dream: a peaceful, developed and progressive Philippines.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=51354160208