SERVICE FOR PEACE ORIENTATION

By: Jose Romulo Federico

This is the period where all students shall step-up to seriousness. The period when each one of us is experiencing a lot of changes, where every one wants to be independent. Independence for ourselves and for our studies.
When I left behind the challenging reality of my Elementary and High School life, I already had a vision for myself as I enter the College life but I have observed a new world—new ways or lifestyles in schooling particularly among the students now, they use their time going to “MALLS” if not in GAISANO, in LCC. I pity my fellow students who would rather waste their time at the “MALL” than to spend their precious time in school.
It only made me think and realize my future and the next generation. Don’t pretend that you are a genius just because you are a scholar of Bicol University.
Don’t waste your time to useless things because “Time is Gold”. The Malls can measure your money but knowledge is a treasure that no one can measure. How meaningful life do you have now? You are punching the wall of rocks.
Be inspired by those who love schooling, those who have confidence and faith to themselves and be inspired by those who persevere and those who are determined to succeed.
Malls will just be there —Life will not. Start gaining knowledge from studies that would help us to be better students and better persons because we are now in the modern world.
Service for Peace in the Philippines, an independent and not-for-profit organization has visited the Bicol University for the orientation of their organization held in Arcilla Hall of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy last October 10, 2007. Dr. Herbert B. Rosana, the faculty members and the students of the Peace Studies Department gladly participated in the program.
In the orientation, SFP have shown videos and pictures to give the participants a snapshot about their past actions. They also given Peace Studies Department activities and introduced their 3 key Programs such as Leadership through Service (Service Work Adventure Training-SWAT), Muslim-Christian Cooperation (MCC), and Support and Help Indigenous People.
They also introduced the SFP and the Un 8 Millennium Development Goals to be achieved by 2015 that respond to the world’s main development challenges.
SFP and UN 8MDG’s
Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education
Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
Goal 5: Improve maternal health
Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Goal 7: Ensure environment sustainability
Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development

Because of the same principle with SFP programs, the Peace Studies Department became interested to cooperate and be partners with the Service for Peace in their future activities.
After the orientation, Dr. Herber B. Rosana invited the Service for Peace in the Philippines for the coming Peace Forum and Peace Day.