Bayanihan Peace Mural in EDSA inaugurated

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 30): Bayanihan Peace Mural in EDSA inaugurated

People from government and private sector gathered Saturday, July 27 at the People Power Monument for the inauguration of the “Bayanihan Peace Mural” also known as the “Lakbay Para sa Kapayapaan sa EDSA”

The peace mural is a a collaboration of the various sectors and stakeholders of society that have worked together to paint the almost four-kilometer wall (Bonny Serrano Avenue-White Plains Avenue) of Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) and make a collage of images inspired by the themes Bayanihan (Solidarity with the People), Pagmamahal sa Bayan (Love for Country), and Kapayapaan (Peace).

The event was highlighted by a symbolic painting of the Bayanihan Peace Mural along White Plains Avenue and the unveiling of marker (beside Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Gate) led by Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman, Country Director of Asia America Initiative (AAI) along with Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, Chief of Staff of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); Asec. Jennifer Oreta of Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP); Gen. Manager Corazon Jimenez of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA); AG Saño, Founder of Dolphins Love Freedom Movement (DLFM); and other representatives from different private companies and organizations. 

Bai Usman said that the AAI will be organizing the so-called “EduPeace Tours” so more people would get to know the wonderful stories behind the making of the longest peace mural and promote understanding between different religion, culture and history in the country.

“Sometimes people are just looking for a chance, a chance to share what they have… May the peace murals serve as a reminder that as members of the society we have our own share in making the world a better place,” Usman said.

Usman added that people from all walks of life, from different faiths, "they became our strength, our pillars, our voices and our positive forces that made a strong foundation for us to be able to finish the Philippines’ big portrait of peace."

MMDA general manager Corazon Jimenez, who delivered the solidarity message in behalf of Chairman Francis Tolentino said that the peace mural bespeaks of hope, “ hope that as long as we join hands and work together, there is no limit to positive results we can achieve.”

AFP Chief of Staff, gen. Emmanuel Bautista for his solidarity message said, “What we achieved here opened the reality that we need to be united, that we are the solution to our problems… the solution lies on the spirit of Filipinos, the spirit of bayanihan… and that’s what we need to do as one nation, as a Filipino.”

The painting of Peace Mural started last May 26, 2013 with over 3000 Filipino volunteers and artists, lending a hand to complete what is considered the longest peace mural in the world.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2561375079570