by Paolo Joquino, G6-B

The EDSOR Peace Camp 2010 was a salad of activities- from inspirational talks to application skits- all underlining one word often taken in the context of the past, but terribly needed in the present: patriotism. Being this year’s host, the peace camp was held in Xavier, specifically in the High School Area, from January 15-16.

I was met with a flurry of activity upon entering the MPC for registration. Flocks of students from La Salle, ICA, Poveda, and Xavier were coming in by the second, waiting for the camp to begin.

After some hot chocolate and cookies, the camp began with a prayer led by Stage FX, followed by the national anthem, Panatang Makabayan, and a welcome speech from OIC Arlene Choo. Then the Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Foundation Executive Director Rafa Lopa delivered an inspirational message about his and his high school batchmates’ own efforts to help those less fortunate. This was followed by the quick assignment of tribes.

Finally joining with my fellow tribemates and facilitators under the tribe name Maginoo, we marched excitedly to our assigned room, H1A. There we got to know each other better and expressed our own definition of a patriot. Afterwards, we ate snacks and headed back down to the MPC to watch the ‘Last Journey of Ninoy’ and reminisce on the ups and downs that Ninoy and Cory had gone through living out patriotism- the political arena, martial law, and an unexpected presidency, just to mention a few.

Views were exchanged about the documentary, and when sharing was over, the twenty tribes from High School and Grade School marched down to the HS Canteen to have some lunch, which was brightened up by some band music. I roamed around the High School area, trying to get accustomed to the place until we were all called back to the MPC to start the Quest- the famous Amazing Race. The stations of the race showed the personas Ninoy and Cory had to be throughout their hard but fulfilling lives- the Journalist, Politician, Housewife, President, and more.

With sweaty but smiling faces, we retired to our classrooms and expressed what we had gained from the tiring but learning experience. Truly, their lives were hard, but who would be happier than a man or woman who had fully served his or her country? A quick synthesis by our High School hosts at MPC closed Friday, as the delegates went home, with Saturday just beyond the horizon.

Saturday was no less exciting than Friday.

After the film viewing, we retired to our classrooms and were briefed on our next activity: the chance to actually show how we could help improve the country through the five levers of change. One situation was given to two tribes; ours focused on Education, how one can help educate the poor in the slums and on the streets, like the example of Efren Penaflorida (CNN Hero of 2009); but set with obstacles such as restrictions from parents and lack of funds. For the next few hours, and throughout lunch, we crafted a simple but meaningful presentation: a role play and a dance.

With the results of our ideas and our talents just waiting for the spotlight, the Grade School participants marched to the Lecture Hall for the presentation of our skits. All of us were filled with laughter and enjoyment as we discovered talents and saw unique ideas rolling in action. Finally my tribe’s turn came, and I had fun presenting on stage. Truly, the hard work of each tribe was worthy of applause, as were the spoofed songs, talented voices, artistic illustrations, and realistic stories that shone throughout the activity.

We then headed to the MPC for the last time for Mass, the last and I think the deepest activity on the list. Officiated by Fr. Guy Guibelondo, the Mass was a reflective conclusion of the activities we had gone through for the past two days. His homily made us ask, “Why are we here?” “Is patriotism a choice?” “What will we do?” and we got to think of answers. No, we weren’t there to eat the food, play the games, watch the presentations, meet the students from other schools- we were there to realize that all of us, just like Ninoy, have that indominable spirit, waiting to be released and serve our country for the better, through our initiative and talents. That one man can only begin a dream, but a people can make that dream fully come true.

After speeches from Mrs. Flora Alfonzo, Xavier’s Unit 3 Principal, and Mrs. Des dela Cruz, Poveda’s Grade School Coordinator, and the official transferring ceremony of hosting the EDSOR 2011 from Xavier to Poveda, we left the MPC with inspiring experiences calling us to patriotism in our own ways, along with a tasty sandwich and juice. EDSOR had ended, but our journey towards patriotism had just begun.

EDSOR was a positive experience for many potential leaders: inspiring us and challenging us to do something that will benefit our country, even in the smallest degree. The final decision is within us- what we will do, how we will do it, and all that will be from our heart. EDSOR told us that we do not need a bursting, flaming fire to light a dark room- a small candle will do; and when the darkness is banished by a great collective light, we shall have made Ninoy’s, Cory’s, and all the other Filipino heroes’ sacrifices worthwhile.