Turning over a new leaf

BY DWIGHT JASON RONAN

After amassing more than 14 million votes in the recently concluded
elections in the Philippines, Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino is set to be
proclaimed as the nation’s new head of state. One thousand and five
hundred miles away, political parties have started filing for recognition
at the Union Election Commission in the Burmese capital of Nay Pyi
Daw to participate in the parliamentary elections later this year. It’s
election time in the Philippines and Myanmar and many see this year’s
elections as one of the most crucial events in each country’s recent
history. Will it be the start of a new chapter in the political landscape in
these two Southeast Asian countries?
Following the nine-year term of gearing up for the election this year. A new
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, an constitution, 15 years in the making, was
administration marred with much enacted through a referendum in 2008.
controversy on corruption and on the Although, many question the referendum's
disputed 2004 election results, many results citing the disputable 98 percent
Filipinos seem to be clamoring for change voters’ turnout even though it was held just ELECTION TIME. Filipino voters looking
in the country’s leadership and most are days after the deadly Cyclone Nargis. for their names on the voters’ list (top) and a
looking for someone whose first priority is Around 600 seats in parliament are up for voter inserts her ballot to the automated
to fight corruption and poverty. In grabs, though one-third of it will still be counting machines.
Myanmar, this year marks the first occupied by military officials. The new HKUN MYAT
elections after nearly 20 years. Millions of president will be elected from the delegates
Myanmar nationals will now be able to from the military, House of Representatives
choose their own representatives to the and House of Nationalities. INSIDE
country’s parliament.
So far, more than thirty existing and new Scenes from the
This year marks the first nationwide political parties have already registered to 2010 Philippine Election
automated election in the Philippines. participate in this year’s election in PAGE 2
Election fraud allegations have always Myanmar. Political party system in Burmese
been a big issue during election and so the politics is actually much better than in the Celebrating Myanmar’s
Philippine government opted to use Philippines. The Filipino political parties are Water Festival
automated vote counters this year. so weak that politicians can change parties PAGE 3
Despite complaints of long lines at whenever they like. No wonder, Filipinos are Protecting an Ethnic
voting precincts, vote buying, known to vote more for candidates based on
malfunctioning machines and claims of personality over their ability or stand on
Identity
PAGE 4
electronic cheating, the elections this year different issues. Popular film and television
were seen to be generally smooth and celebrities and basketball or boxing stars are Exploring Bhutan’s Beauty
peaceful. just some of the people who campaign, and PAGE 5
more often than not, win seats in the
In line with its “road map to democracy”, government. Snapshots of Jakarta
the State Peace and Development PAGE 7
Council (SPDC) of Myanmar is now Turning over… p5
 PAGE 2 PEACE COMMUNICATORS

POWER TO THE PEOPLE

NOTES ON THE 2010 ELECTION IN THE PHILIPPINES
An election I’ve never seen before.
BY DAWA TSHERING
I was quite nervous in the beginning when I was asked
to volunteer for the election in the Philippines. It was my
first time to experience an election and I wasn’t sure
whether to accept the offer or not. In my mind, election
means a dangerous and scary situation due to our
experience from our neighboring country—India.
Nevertheless, I went with Mimi to attend the Parish Pas-
toral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV)
Orientation of Volunteers. Oh my God! I was assigned as a
Poll Watcher. I thought it would be more dangerous.
I woke up early on May 10 and arrived at my assigned
polling station as early as 6:00 a.m. There were many
people already when I arrived. Some came to vote while
some came to sell food. Voting started at exactly 7:00 am.
People were pouring from different places despite the
very hot and sunny weather. The place was getting very
crowded and filled with the people. My heart started to
beat faster and faster but I still have to perform my duty.
Every vote counts.
BY HKUN MYAT
In a democratic country like the Philippines, presidents
are elected by the people. Every single vote counts. The
Commission on Elections (COMELEC), responsible for run-
ning the elections in the Philippines initiated the first
Automated Election System in the country. This system
hopes that every single vote of the people will be counted
and that results will be released at a much sooner time
than before. Despite this system, voters did not remain
complacent but still were vigilant in guarding their votes.
In fact, numerous poll watchers were provided by
respective parties.
On May 10, I was one of the PPCRV volunteers
assigned to Angono Elementary School located at the
eastern part of Manila. Throughout the day, people were
very eager to cast their vote and be counted.

I was assigned to assist in the Help Desk of the PPCRV.

Sometimes, I would go around observing how things are
going in other polling stations. I was asked to be in the
voting room to observe the people and voting process.
There were also poll watchers from other parties and
they were friendly and nice. This made me feel comfort-
able working with them.

By the end of the day, I came to realize that it was an

election that I have never seen before. Compared to
elections in other countries, the election in the
Philippines was very descent and peaceful. Filipinos have
such a kind heart and discipline. They have good human
sense and respect for others. It was really hot that time
but the voters did not mind waiting after a long line.
People waited for their turn until the night. If I wasn’t
mistaken, there was no any major casualty during
election throughout the country. So, it was really a
peaceful election for me and I was lucky to take part in
VOICE OF THE BALLOT.
the first automated election system in the Philippines A Filipino voter waiting for his turn to cast his vote.
where I have learned so many good things.

 PEACE COMMUNICATORS PAGE 3

Inside Myanmar’s merrymaking mob

Beating the scorching April heat with buckets of water, dancing to the beats, plus some booze (and bomb blasts).
BY DWIGHT JASON RONAN
Thousands of young Burmese gather
along major roads waiting to be
splashed with water while grooving
to some loud music. Others pay for
tickets to dance at the temporary
wooden platforms called pandals and
spray water to the revelers below.
Some ride their own or rented cars
and mini-trucks to go to the several
roadside dance floors scattered
across the city. This is how they
celebrate Thingyan, the Burmese
water festival.

Similar to water festivals in other

countries in Southeast Asia, the Thingyan
marks the start of the new year celebration
in Myanmar. As others would say, this is
the only time of the year in this very
traditional and reserved country when
people are allowed for such public
celebration. During these times, it is
acceptable to splash ice-cold water to
strangers, even to foreigners. These days,
the usually conservative Burmese young
women wear tight-fitting clothes and are
somewhat allowed to act more “liberal” in
public. Not to mention that beer and other
alcoholic drinks are virtually overflowing,
so you won’t be surprised seeing drunken
Burmese men even before noon.
Originally, the custom of splashing water
symbolizes the “cleansing” of the people as
the new year arrives. It is believed that
during Thingyan, the Buddhist deity
Thagyamin visits the human world and
checks every person if they have been
good or bad for the past year. The tradition
is to spray water to family and close friends
and wash the Buddha statues and images.
However, although these traditions are still
practiced, the modern-day Thingyan now
have shifted into a weeklong street party.
As part of the celebration, the government
declares a ten-day holiday and it allows the
temporary pandals to be built along the
roads.
Yanto, my co-exchange fellow from
Indonesia, and I were very privileged to
have the chance to celebrate Thingyan this
WET AND WILD PANDEMONIUM. FK fellows Dwight Jason Ronan and Yanto
Usbobo celebrating the Thingyan at the X2O pandal beside Kandawgyi, the exact same place
where three bombs exploded two days after this photo was taken.
year. We went around Yangon with our new were probably still unaware of what just
friends from the Youth Development happened because most of them are still
Initiative Network (YDIN), visiting several busy dancing as the speakers spew out
pandals and some festival booths. During loud rock music. However, we did notice
the first two days of the water festival, I that there were some police cars rushing to
actually felt like I was in college all over a blocked area of the highway.
again, with the endless supply of booze
while dancing and singing at every pandal When Yanto and I went home that night,
we visited. we saw the news on the Internet and
realized how lucky we were that day. We
But the celebration this year was literally were literally at the right place at the right
rocked with controversy when three bombs time because we were actually at the exact
exploded on the third day, April 15, killing at same place two days prior to the blasts.
least ten people and injuring almost 170 After what had happened, we decided just
innocent revelers. The deadly bomb blasts to stay at our apartment for the next few
occurred in front of the X20 pandal at days.
around 3 p.m. Most of the injured are now
out of the hospitals and a reward is now The Thingyan celebration is definitely a
offered for leads about the possible culprits. great opportunity to catch a rare glimpse
of how the Burmese people act and behave
My group was about a kilometer away when some cultural taboos are temporarily
from the blasts but we virtually had no idea lifted and the government holds its guards
of what happened. We didn’t hear any down. The deadly bombing, on the other
explosion or see any commotion, hand, is a bitter reminder that evil lurks
whatsoever. Most people on the streets everywhere even at times when people are
in their most festive spirits.

 PAGE 4
Defenders of Faith
The Kayah people’s struggle to preserve
their culture and beliefs.
BY PLU REH
I am a Kayah, also known as Karenni. Kayah is one of the
minority ethnic groups in Myanmar. According to the
documented information from the State Peace and
Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, there are
135 ethnic groups in Myanmar. But, many people
disagree with this number and think that there are more
ethnic groups. It is composed of seven different states
and seven divisions and I am from the smallest state
called Kayah State.
There is a myth on the creation of Earth believed by our
people. Before Earth existed, there were male and female
winds traveling around in space. Those male and female
winds were playing and running around in the space
happily. But one day, the female wind couldn’t follow the
male wind. So, male wind waited for the female wind and
asked what’s wrong. They soon found out that the female
wind was pregnant. Since the female wind couldn’t travel
around, the male wind decided to create a nest for her.
The nest created by the male wind was later named as
the Earth.
Since ancient time, our Kayah people believed in nature.
Until foreign religions such as Christian and Buddhism
came into our land, our people practiced the same beliefs
in harmony. After foreign religions came to our land,
some Kayah people converted to Christian and some
became Buddhists. But, some are still practicing our
ancient beliefs, and some practice both the ancient beliefs
and the religion that they converted into. Nowadays, the
practice of our ancient beliefs is called “animist” by other
religions. However, I would prefer to call our ancient
practices as Kayah people’s faith as it is a collective or
common faith of our people, and it is very important part
of our identity.
Because of our beliefs, we celebrate Kay Htyo Boe, or the
wooden pole festival, every April to offer food and drinks
to the spirits of our lands, mountains, forests, rivers,
caves, trees, and villages to provide us good rains and
KEEPING FAITH.
The wooden pole
festival, Kay Htyo Boe, in
Kayah State,
Myanmar.
PEACE COMMUNICATORS
fertile soils for farming and to protect us from bad luck.
Kay Htyo Boe festival is significant for our culture as it
shows the unity of the Kayah people.
At present, some Kayah people, especially those in the
countryside, have lost their lands where they practice
their traditions. With uncertain future, they had lived in
refugee camps in Thailand for nearly two decades.
However, being far away from their forests, mountains,
rivers and their lands, some people think that the spirits
are no longer there because they couldn’t offer them food
and drinks as often as they used to. Some people think that
they should go back to their native land in Kayah state
very soon. Otherwise, the spirits could no longer be there
to protect them and their lands.
During the PrepCourse training in AIT, some of my friends
in refugee camps in Thailand sent me some messages that
they can’t go back to Kayah State because of the military
regime and that they are going to leave for the United
States, instead. Of course, they would really want to go
back to their land, but they have no choice.
At present, the situation of Kayah State is far away from
being improved. As much as a third of the population of
our state has been displaced since 1996, especially after
the breakdown of the ceasefire between military
government and Karenni National Progressive Party
(KNPP), with an estimated 20,000 fleeing to Thailand as
refugees. There are many villages that have been
destroyed so the Kayah people have no choice but to go to
refugee camps, even though they have been in their native
lands for many years where they can freely practice their
beliefs.
Some of my friends who decided to go to the US believe
that they would be able to continue holding their
traditional beliefs there. With certain future for their new
generation, they strongly hope that they would be able to
practice their ancient beliefs again as it is important for
our Kayah people’s identity and culture.

 PEACE COMMUNICATORS PAGE 5

BIG SMILES IN THE

HIGH
MOUNTAINS
BY HKAM AWNG

My trip to Wangdue, Athang Rukha is, so far, the most

interesting experience for me here in Bhutan with Tarayana
Foundation (TF). On our way there, we drove for over four
hours to Takshachu village. And then I walked for the rest of the trip with Ms.
Thiley Bhida, TF’s solar electricity focal person, and Mr. Leki Dawa, TF field
officer.
UNSEEN BHUTAN
BY MYRA FLOR SIOCO
On our two-week stay, we went to seven villages and installed solar A place where there are no ants. In our
equipment at 55 households, two lhakhang (monasteries) and two primary kitchen, I have not seen a single ant since
schools. I also visited a construction site for boys/girls hostel. Tarayana the day I got here. This means, I don’t
Foundation’s activities in the area have helped the communities’ social always have to check if my plastic container
development and in some way, enhanced people’s “happiness”. for sugar has been tightly closed.

There are more dogs than

We crossed a lot of mountains, forest, and streams along the way and they policemen in the streets. Somebody once
made me feel fresh seeing the clouds above the mountain and blue water told us, “Don’t be afraid of mobsters. But
from streams. As I have observed, even if the basic necessities are not enough watch out for stray dogs.”
for the community people, they seemed to be satisfied in their life. No
wonder, the Bhutanese are known to be world’s happiest people.
It is a haven of doves. They are literally
everywhere.

Turning over… p1
Alongside these issues, election-related
violence has long since plagued both
countries. In the Philippines, number of
election-related death has continuously
increased in the past years. In the last three
elections, officials have tallied more than
300 deaths during the election season. In
this year’s elections, the government has
identified 14 election hotspots or places
where election-related violence is high.
However, even with the measures to
lessen these acts, more people continue to
get hurt and killed. Just last year, a group
of more than 50 people, including
journalists, was killed in the island of
Mindanao. The group was on their way to
file candidacy papers for a local post when
they were abducted and brutally
murdered by a group of armed men.
Members of a rival political clan are now
charged as the masterminds of the
massacre.
Meanwhile, Burmese officials now claim
that the water festival bombing that killed
ten people and injured more than a hun-
dred was aimed “to dissolve the 2010 elec-
tions”. One suspect is now in custody and
an international manhunt is ongoing to
capture three other suspects. Aside from
these, three other bombings at different
parts of Myanmar were reported in the
past weeks. Although, officials say that the
blasts are caused by the continuous ethnic
unrest in Shan, Kayin, and Kachin states
and not with the elections.
The Philippines and Myanmar have had
long and tumultuous political history.
Although many consider the two nations to
be at the opposite side of the political
spectrum, many Filipinos and Burmese
hope that this year’s elections would bring
about change for a stable economy and
just society for both nations.

There are no house numbers and street
signs. I stay in Thimphu, the capital of
Bhutan. It is a relatively small city and it
seems like everybody knows each other
here, thus, no need for house numbers. So
when I take a taxi, I tell the driver “I live
near Motithang High School. Our house is
close to the Minister’s residence with a white
flag on top and walls surrounded by white
flowers on the side. It is right across the
construction of a five-story apartment
building.”
Mountains are used as point of
reference. When we’re visiting some
temples around the town one time, I asked
my friend where shall we go next. He said,
“You see that mountain over there. The
second mountain after that, that’s where
we’re going.”
A place where the sale of
blush-on make up for women is
low. They have naturally rosy
cheeks. That’s why Bhutanese
women are naturally beautiful.

 PAGE 6 PEACE COMMUNICATORS

Between Yangon and Myitkyina

A journey to the other side of Myanmar
BY YOHANES VICTOR LASI USBOBO
Differences between Yangon and Myitkyina are like heaven and
earth, like yin and yang. As the former capital city, Yangon is the
largest city in Myanmar. Myitkyina, on the other hand, is the
capital city of Kachin State, the northernmost state in Myanmar.
Yangon is located in the south and Myitkyina is in the north.
Yangon scorches in heat, while Myitkyina freezes with cold breeze.
Yangon is arid and parched, Myitkyina is green and lush. Yangon is
home for the Burmese culture and Myitkyina prides with its Kachin
ethnicity.
On May 13, I began my journey to Myitkyina via bus to The situation is very different when we entered the Kachin State.
Mandalay. Together with the Peace Education Unit, I was tasked The scenery is lush and green and the farm animals looked really
to attend and help facilitate a peace building training. We left healthy. However, although the area appears to be rich in natural
Yangon at around 5 p.m. and reached Naga Pyi Taw at around 11 resources, those were apparently not very useful for the
p.m. Naga Pyi Taw is a resting place which the government community. The abundant water and vast land areas are not used
prepared for the motorists. It is located in the middle of the forest for rice cultivation and other agricultural activities. They’re just left
and inhabited only by the restaurant owners and workers of the as empty land covered with grass and weeds. The forest also has
ten 24-hour restaurants in the area. According to the people I’ve large trees, but these are cut and timbers are harvested and
met, Naga Pyi Taw’s road was built because foreign embassies in brought to Yangon or partly sold to China by the government. Huge
Yangon do not want to move to Nay Pyi Taw, the new capital city numbers of logs can be seen almost at everywhere.
of Myanmar. The government built a short highway from Yangon
to Nay Pyi Taw which cuts the travel to five hours rather than the Myitkyina is a small city compared with Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw, or
normal eight-hour drive in the old road. Mandalay. The condition of the road was better than Yangon and
the electricity can be accessed for 24 hours. In general, Myitkyina
We arrived in Mandalay the next morning and as it turns out, residents live in houses and not in apartments. There are no slums
the weather was not much different from Yangon. It was even and they have an average living. After the 1994 ceasefire
hotter with the electricity out almost all day. We stayed at the agreement was signed by the government and Kachin
guest house the whole day waiting for our overnight trip. At 3 Independence Organization (KIO), a plan was created to develop
p.m., we went to the train station and started our 13-hour train Myitkyina. With the initiative of the KIO, roads, private electric
ride to Myitkyina. Even though it was the “express” train, our company, and other infrastructures were built.
travel was relatively not fast because the train appears to be very
old and the railway was not good. Compared to other regions, the level of education in the Kachin
State is more advanced. This is made possible by the role of
From Mandalay to the Sagaing Division, the scenery looked Christian churches that continue to boost education in the area.
very sad as drought appears to hit the region. Left and right, there There is a theology university open for young would-be priests, one
lies a vast area without trees and it seemed very barren. During university and two other academies. In addition, many young
the train ride, I also saw some villages with poorly-built houses. people take their higher degrees in different universities in Asia,
Families appear to have a lot of cattle, pigs, and poultry, but their Europe, and the United States. And generally, they can
homes looked very worrying as their farm animals roam communicate well in English.
beneath and around their houses. It seems like they do not know
how to take advantage of their existing natural resources and how As the region signed a peace pact with the government,
to take care of their surroundings. In addition, the infrastructure Kachin State remains to be safe but the military continues to
was not in good condition as it’s not possible to walk from one monitor the area. In my stay there, the training volunteers needed
village to another. A reliable mode of transportation is by to report to the government about the training. The military
motorcycle or by a cart pulled by a cow. The road is narrow and sometimes visits these trainings and checks the training curriculum
the bridges are made of wood, and in the rainy season the whole and attendance.
area would probably be covered with mud and water.
My stay in Myitkyina only lasted for ten days but the
We arrived in Myitkyina at 1 p.m. the next day and it was a very journey to this other side of Myanmar was truly
tiring journey. We had to stop at each station and wait for another eye-opening.

train to pass by the railway. At some point, we even have to wait
up to one hour.
 PEACE COMMUNICATORS PAGE 7

Enjoying Indonesia
BY PLU REH

I have been staying in Jakarta for two months already. Since

then, I have been learning Bahasa Indonesia for four hours a
week. I thought Bahasa Indonesia has neither low tone nor high
tone like Burmese, but it was not true. It was very interesting for
me, especially when I could communicate a bit to the local
people. I have come to appreciate the language more and I soon
became friendly with the people around me. Indeed, Javanese
people are friendly that I was able to have many friends within
the last two months.

I have also come to like Indonesian food. Mostly are very

similar to Myanmar food and are also very delicious. There are
plenty of restaurants and vendors in Jakarta who are selling
various kind of food – Padang food, sate, Chinese food, European
food, Thai food, and some other traditional food. Just like many
other Indonesians, my favorite is Padang food.

Majority of the people (almost 89%) here are Muslims and they
are really respectful to their religion. They worship every mid-day
and they worship together in Mosques every Friday as a special
worship day. Even when my colleagues from ITP come and visit
my apartment, they look for a space in the apartment to
SNAPSHOTS OF JAKARTA.
worship if the right time is coming up. During prayer time, they
(From top) Pengamens serenading commuters on the buses.
face the west to where Mecca and Medina, or the Land of the FK fellow Plu Reh at traditional campaign rally.
Two Holy Mosques, are located.

One thing I find to be a little strange here in Jakarta are the
pengamens who live by playing guitar and singing songs and asks
people for money. I have never seen such thing before, and they
move and ask for money everywhere such as in bus stops, street
and road sides, markets, and some other public areas. Most of
them have good vocals and performances and some are so good
in playing guitar or traditional musical instruments. When I see
some pengamens, I sometimes wonder if they do it to entertain
people with their skills or to earn in order to live by.
Sometimes, especially on weekends, I go to famous places of
Jakarta. So far, I have been to the National Monument, Batavia
Hall or the Jakarta History Museum and Saneyan Stadium.
Among them, the National Monument, or known locally as the
Monas, made me so impressed on the government and peoples’
great effort on building it. The monument was built in order to
commemorate and to honor the people’s relentless struggle for
independence and in an attempt to awaken a sense of patriotism
among the people and future generations to come. The monu-
ment was opened to the public on March 18, 1972.
There are eight modes of public transportation in Jakarta.
These are (a) ojek or motorbike, (b) bajaj or tri-transport,
(c) angkot or small vehicle, (d) bemo, also a small vehicle,
(e) public taxi, (f) minibus, (g) speed bus or the big bus (h) and the
bus way or TransJakarta. I usually use the bus way or TransJakarta
whenever I go around Jakarta. TransJakarta was designed to
provide the citizens of Jakarta a fast public transportation system
to help reduce rush hour traffic. I also usually take the bajaj or the
tri-transport especially when I go around places near my apart-
ment. This three-wheeled vehicle is also popular in India where
they were developed with Vespa and later imported to and built in
Indonesia. The bajaj seats two to five passengers comfortably –
depending on the size of the passenger, of course. Although, a
ride in a bajaj is hot, noisy, smelly (because of car and bus fumes),
and bumpy, it is still a great adventure.
It was not very difficult for me to adapt and to be in harmony
with local people, food, culture and tradition here in Indonesia.
The ten-month program may seem so long but if we would try to
learn more about our host countries, it wouldn’t feel that long.
Actually, Indonesia is not perfect in everything and it has always
faced many problems – lifestyle, environment, act of terrorisms,
conflict between ethnic groups, and so on. However, Indonesia has
dramatically improved in becoming a strong democratic country. It
was indeed satisfying for me that I got a great opportunity to stay
and enjoy Indonesia.

 PAGE 8 PEACE COMMUNICATORS

Behind Bhutan’s ‘magical’ dress

BY MYRA FLOR SIOCO
I am totally amazed at how the Bhutanese have continued wearing their traditional
dress since the early 1900s. It is worn not only during special or official occasions, but it is
their everyday wear for school and work. At first, I honestly found it awkward because
men appeared to be wearing skirts, while women looked like they’re wearing their long
gowns. But after a few weeks, I began to see how their national dress brings out the confi-
dence and dignity in them.

Kira is the ankle-length dress worn by women. It is secured by a woven belt around the
waist and fastened on the shoulders by silver brooches called koma. On top is the long
sleeved blouse called wonju and a jacket called tego worn on the outside. The traditional
dress for men is called gho, which is a knee-length robe tied at the waist by a woven belt
called keyra.

I felt uneasy the first time I wore kira and tego. It didn’t seem to look good on me
because I still walked the way I do when I wear jeans and shirt. My colleagues knew I was
uncomfortable because I kept on checking my kira to make sure it would not come off.

FK fellows Myra Flor Sioco and Hkam Awng
wearing Bhutanese traditional dress during
the Annual Tarayana Fair held last May 6.
That time, I was really conscious of how I walk, sit, and stand. It seemed like I put on a
magical dress that I became so feminine, shy and reserved. The only funny thing is that
most people at the Annual Tarayana Fair, where I first wore kira, thought that I am also
Bhutanese as they tried talking to me in Dzongkha.

Getting to know the Philippine president and her ‘green’ legacy

BY DAWA TSHERING
In the eve of UN Conference on the Climate Change,
a presentation on the Key Accomplishments on
Environmenal Governance was organized by the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) of the Philippines on 21 May at the Manila
Hotel.

At the program, DENR Secretary Horacio Ramos

acknowledged President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for
her legacy of a greener Philippines and a sustainable
development of the country’s natural resources. He said
that, with the Philippines being a biodiversity center in
Asia, the platform is now open for the future generation
for their sustainable development of natural resources.

The different agencies then presented their achieve-

ments. After presentation by the sector heads, Ramos
handed over the “Environmental Legacy Report” to the
President. It was then followed by the testimonial lunch
with the President and all the participants.

It was my first experience to attend a forum with high-level officials of the Philippines. I was very lucky and very happy to attend the
forum with Mrs. Elizabeth Roxas, my host organization’s executive director. The taste of the food, together with the happy and kind
Filipinos, and the beauty of 100-years-old Manila Hotel were amazing and I will never forget this great experience.

 PEACE COMMUNICATORS PAGE 9

Capturing Moments
BY MYRA FLOR SIOCO
Most professional photographers say, “If you want to be a good
photographer, always take photos.”

On May 12, I was fortunate to attend a two-hour basic

photography session during the Annual Tarayana Retreat. Aum
Chime Wangdi, Secretary General of Tarayana Foundation,
stressed the need for good photos in documenting work progress
in every community. She invited Markus Wild, a professional
photographer from Switzerland, to give all the staff some point-
ers in taking good pictures. Mr. Wild is in Bhutan for a project
with Helvetas and Tarayana Foundation.

Let me share some of his tips for taking good photos:

1. Get familiar with the basic settings of the camera.

It basically means, READ THE MANUAL. Some
people just read the manual when something goes wrong. Do
it the other way. Read the guide so that nothing will go
wrong.

2. Take more than one photo.
Thanks to digital photography, everyone can take
pictures as much as they can without thinking of the cost of
the film. So, take several photos then delete the bad ones
afterwards.
Children from an orphanage in Myanmar with their big
smiles as they were about to receive their diplomas from
their English summer course.
DWIGHT JASON RONAN

3. Try to show the main object from different points of view.

Try to move around, experiment on different framing and
various compositions.

4. Remember to take photos that give you a story.

When taking photos, try to capture different moments. One
good photo can give you more than one story.

5. Make sure the main object is in focus.

No matter how many photos you take but if the object is not
in focus, all will be of no use. So check the photos after you
click the button. It’s best to “zoom in” on the object to ensure
clarity.

But the most practical tip I can share is to learn from other good
photos. Analyze the photographer’s framing,
composition and message.

If you want to learn more, you may want to visit the speaker’s
website: www.markuswild.ch.

A man watches a rocket as it hurtles skywards, hoping for
rain and a good harvest, during the annual rocket festival in
Laos last May. MAI LAN NGUYEN
 PAGE 10 PEACE COMMUNICATORS

UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

BHUTAN INDONESIA
Myra Sioco and Hkam Awng have already
participated to several community development
programs of Tarayana Foundation, including the
Annual Tarayana Fair and the installation of solar
home light systems in five rural villages. Both FK
fellows are also scheduled to attend a disaster
preparedness and management workshop in July.
ITP has been running CEWERS program in Poso,
Central Sulawesi which started in June 2010. This
program involves the development of CEWERS for
Sustainability Peace program where Plu Reh is
actively participating in the in-class training
since the very beginning.

MYANMAR PHILIPPINES
Shalom Foundation is continuing its peace education
and civic education training programs. Yanto Usbobo
has participated in the peace education training in
Yangon and Myitkyina in Kachin State. Dwight
Ronan, on the other hand, has assisted the civic
education team in their trainings. Both fellows also
attended the Staff Forum in Pyin Oo Lwin.
At EBC, Hkun Myat and Dawa Tshering participated
in various conferences in Manila, such as the World
Environment Day Celeberation 2010 and the Asian
Conference of Journalists. They observed and
interacted with the different organizations
implementing community development projects in Bo-
hol and Cebu. They also attended a basic training on
lay-out and design and database management.

TIMEOUT (Exchange bloopers and funny stories)

Cold(s) morning in China
BY SOUKNILUNDON SOUTHIVONGORATH (FK fellow from Laos posted in China)
I have been here in Beijing for two months. This is my first time to live with a crowded population and vehicle city. There are so many
people wherever I go, even on the bus I take to go to my office in central Beijing. I usually go by Bus Number 12 and it takes about 30
to 45 minutes from my place to office. Also, during the bus ride, I usually see so many nice public parks where elder people can go to
exercise every morning.

Last month, in what I thought was going to be a normal day, I left for my office early in the morning. The first Bus Number 12 that
arrived was crowded, so I decided to wait for another bus. After five minutes, another bus came with much lesser crowd and so I got on
it.

The buses on the way to office are usually packed with old people who just finished their daily exercise on the public parks. And this
morning was no different. I stood in the middle of the bus and there was an old lady sitting in front of me. The weather on that day was
a little warm so they opened the window to breathe in fresh air.

While on the ride, I noticed some of the people on the bus were coughing. At that time, I imagined asking the old lady in front of me
not to cough out and spit out of the window because the wind will surely blow it back into the bus and directly into my face.

Little did I know that what I had just imagined – the old lady coughing out and the wind blowing it to my face – will happen the
following seconds. I was really very angry but I couldn’t do anything. The old lady tried to say something to me but I didn’t understand
Mandarin. She then pulled out a small towel from her pocket and tried cleaning my face.

To avoid the same incident, I now usually sit at the back of the bus. And I still wonder if I was just too unlucky that day or if it was
because of the power of my imagination.

PEACE COMMUNICATORS PAGE 11

The Peace Advocates

Meet the PEACECOMM 5 Fellows
DAWA TSHERING
Home Organization: Tarayana Foundation (Bhutan)
Host Organization: Environmental Broadcast Circle (Philippines)
Area of Specialization: Community-based development work
Expectations: I expect to learn more about community-based radio program and
RICE (Research, Information, Communication, Education).

DWIGHT JASON RONAN

Home Organization: Environmental Broadcast Circle (Philippines)
Host Organization: Shalom Foundation (Myanmar)
Areas of Specialization: Development communication and community broadcasting
Expectations: I expect to better understand the current situation in Myanmar and
to share relevant issues from the Philippines relating it to the issues in Myanmar.

HKAM AWNG
Home Organization: Shalom Foundation (Myanmar)
Host Organization: Tarayana Foundation (Bhutan)
Area of Specialization: Youth Fellowship Programs
Expectations: I expect to learn about the Gross National Happiness in Bhutan.

HKUN MYAT
Home Organization: Shalom Foundation (Myanmar)
Host Organization: Environmental Broadcast Circle (Philippines)
Area of Specialization: Community forestry
Expectations: I expect to become a better peace communicator.

MYRA FLOR SIOCO

Home Organization: Environmental Broadcast Circle (Philippines)
Host Organization: Tarayana Foundation (Bhutan)
Area of Specialization: Video and radio program production
Expectations: I expect to make a significant contribution in community development
both in my host country and home country.

PLU REH
Home Organization: Shalom Foundation (Myanmar)
Host Organization: Peace Building Institute (Indonesia)
Area of Specialization: Peace reconciliation and mediation
Expectations: I expect to learn more about CEWERS mechanisms and
determine how these can be applied in my native land.

YOHANES VICTOR LASI USBOBO

Home Organization: Peace Building Institute (Indonesia)
Host Organization: Shalom Foundation (Myanmar)
Area of Specialization: CEWERS and Peace Education
Expectations: I expect to learn about the Burmese culture, customs, and habits and to know people from
other countries.
 PAGE 12
PEACE COMMUNICATORS
is produced by the
Environmental Broadcast Circle (EBC) of the
Philippines in partnership with the Institut Titian
Perdamaian (ITP) of Indonesia, Shalom (Nyein)
Foundation (SF) of Myanmar and
Tarayana Foundation (TF) of Bhutan.
Together, they form the PeaceComm
Exchange Program which aims to promote
mutual exchange of knowledge, experiences, and
skills on peace and communication.
With support from:
Editorial Committee:
Ja Nan Lahtaw (SF)
Ichsan Malik (ITP)
Chime Paden Wangdi (TF)
Elizabeth Roxas (EBC)
Mimi Ricamunda (EBC)
Dwight Jason Ronan (Participant)
Chief Editor:
Elizabeth Roxas
Contributors:
Dawa Tshering (Bhutan)
Yohanes Victor Lasi Usbobo (Indonesia)
Souknilundon Southivongorath (Laos)
Hkam Awng (Myanmar)
Hkun Myat (Myanmar)
Plu Reh (Myanmar)
Dwight Jason Ronan (Philippines)
Myra Flor Sioco (Philippines)
Mai Lan Nguyen (Vietnam)
Production Coordinator:
Dulce Cuacoyes
Lay-out and Design:
Dwight Jason Ronan
Environmental Broadcast Circle (EBC)
3F GIF Medical Building,
510 C. Raymundo Avenue
Caniogan, Pasig City, 1606, Philippines
Telephone Number: +6326434583
Fax Number: +6326422128
E-mail: ebc@ebc.org.ph
PEACE COMMUNICATORS
Message from Partner
Ichsan Malik
Chairperson
Institut Titian Pardamaian (Peace Building Institute)
PEACECOMM is running on its fifth year of building network among its partner
organizations that hopes to facilitate conflict prevention and peace building in
countries, i.e., Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar and Bhutan.
This year, we graciously welcome the hosting of a participant from Myanmar, Plu
Reh. He has demonstrated willingness to learn about Conflict Early Warning and
Early Response Systems (CEWERS), Peace Building Training, Organizing Peace
Campaigns and the Election.
To date, Plu Reh has been actively participating in many discussions and events,
including CEWERS Focus Group Discussions, Annual Strategic Planning of Institut
Titian Pardamaian (ITP), developing the Myanmar Desk and Peace Building in
Indonesia. Plu Reh is now in Palu, Central Sulawesi participating in a CEWERS
Training being conducted by ITP. He will also be posted in Nanggroe Aceh
Darussalam for a month to learn more about Conflict Prevention and Peace Building.
These activities will also help him enhance his quick learning of the Bahasa language.
This is an exhilarating progress and we hope that participants in other countries are
going through same worth of learning experience here in Indonesia. Though
PEACECOMM is on its 5th year, it is supposed that network and relations between
Indonesia and Myanmar and among the rest of the partner countries have been built
and strengthened through the exchange of skills, knowledge and experience.
Certainly, this foundation will carry on to another phase at whatever form in the
future depending on how the partner organizations have internalized the values and
principles of this exchange program and catalyzed new ideas and projects in
pursuing the objectives of the PEACECOMM. It is also hoped that lessons learned in
the course of implementing the exchange program in various countries with diverse
cultures and organizational structures and characteristics have been documented
and will serve as a basis for seeking continuous improvement and achieving
significant progress.
To Fredskorpset, we can’t thank you enough for the invaluable support that you have
invested in this exchange program for promoting and building relations of peace. You
have touched many people’s lives and caused positive results in the partner
organizations involved. We also wish that PEACECOMM would be able to extend
more assistance to Bhutan in building their capacities in achieving their goal for
peace and development as it relates to their Gross National Happiness principles.
Since they came into PeaceComm partnership on the fourth year, we feel that they
need more time to complete the cycle of exchange of learning, skills and experience
especially that they have initiated significant projects (installation of community
radios for community development) after the return of their first participant who
learned knowledge and skills in various forms of RICE (Research, Information,
Communication and Education including the community radio, among others) from
his posting in the Philippines.
Press forward to the Peace Communicators, may we all continue to spread the word!