Light of Peace in San Enrique: The Road to Inner Peace Town

Students and parents meditate in Catan-agan Elementary School
(Photo Credit: MMI)

What does it take to create an Inner Peace Town? Or some would even change the question and ask if it is possible to have one. After working with the people of San Enrique in the Province of Iloilo for about a couple of months already I can truly say that it is possible albeit challenging.

Leaders from the Church, San Enrique Local Government Unit, Academe, Barangays
and MMI light candles to celebrate the 10,000 Brightness

Challenges. Now that was a very common thing  encountered in the course of  the project and even now that the Light of Peace in San Enrique is fast approaching. Yes, there were a lot of challenges
but these were confronted with determination by all those involved. There is that firm belief that any difficulty can be hurdled when people work for peace. Many adversities may be faced but they will emerge triumphant as long as they remain centered. The road towards the attainment of peace may not be easy but working towards it will always be fulfilling.

Student leaders and volunteers were not daunted by the downpour during the
Central mini - Light of Peace

Now back to the first question. Creating an Inner Peace Town meant getting all the sectors involved - the local government unit, the academe, the NGOs, the Church. San Enriquenhons of all ages are involved. It does not matter where they are - in the mountainous areas of  Brgys. San Antonio and Catan-agan, in the midst of the sugarcane plantations such as in Brgys. Cubay, Dumiles and Paga just to name a few or the rice fields of Brgys. Lip-ac and Palje. Sharing the same goal of having progress though inner peace, people from all walks of life in this tiny town took part in a series of activities that can serve to strengthen their values and help them attain the inner peace that would help create a more peaceful town.

Residents of Poblacion Ilaya and the neighboring barangays during the Central Light of Peace

It also meant working  with other entities such as the Middle Way Meditation Institute - Iloilo, the Provincial Government of Iloilo, Department of Tourism and the Department of Education. It is not just Filipinos who are involved in this project but a group of ASEAN brothers and sisters from Thailand. The Light of Peace in San Enrique is truly a testimony that proclaims peace despite differences in language, culture and religion.