Prior to the COVID years, I taught Media Literacy for three years at St. John’s Institute following my retirement from the university.
The class gave an opportunity for students how they can navigate the media landscape responsibly, particularly the social media platforms, both as consumers and content makers.
One of our main activities was to celebrate global events by spreading message through the social media to promote the relevance of selected events to citizens of the country and the world.
Among the events we focused on was International Peace Day — which is being observed every Sept. 21. In the first two years of my teaching, my students were tasked to promote peace messages through posters they designed. On the third year, we mounted an exhibit at SM City which showcased their creativity through literary works, visuals and musical compositions — all focused on the theme, “Peace”.
Curious if that Peace Day academic activity meant to them and whether it somehow helped them in later years, I contacted a number of them through Messenger this week.
Four of my former students — George Solancho, who was in the 2017 class, as well as Michaella Ocampo, Karlo Chua and Kyan Andrada, who were all in my 2019 class — promptly responded.
All of them are now professionals: George is working in Metro Manila as an engineer in the semiconductor industry, Kyan is a civil engineer now based in Cauayan de Oro City while Michaella and Karlo are in Bacolod working as nurse and physical therapist, respectively.
During their school-based task, Kyan posted an Elizabeth Gilbert thought on peace with one’s self, while Karlo emphasized the value of living one’s life peacefully.
Respect, safety and dignity as the outcome of peace were emphasized by George while Michaella’s message focused on the significance of confronting problems with courage to find peace through a J. Donald Walters quote.
To find out how the activity and the day’s observance affected them, I asked two questions:
Why they chose that particular message to share and if the activity did impact them in any way.
Why that message? Their reply:
George: Looking back at the time I wrote that message, I think I was beginning to reach the point where teenagers of that age typically become more aware of the nuances of social interaction and social cues, even at a subconscious level.
Things like our tone when talking to people we do versus don’t get along with, or body language at the mention of a topic that we’d find interest in.
In hindsight, I was very conscious of how my words or actions came across to other people, be it my family, my peers, my teachers and other authoritative figures at school. I didn’t want my words or intentions to be misunderstood and cause problems for myself and others. This sentiment made me reflect on how a lot conflict starts at the communication level.
Kyan: I chose that saying because whenever people feel down, sad or hopeless the message always reminds us that amidst the chaos one must find one’s self in order to be at peace.
Karlo: The message I chose directly reflects how I believe peace starts with, how we treat and communicate with others — with honesty, love, understanding, and respect.
Michaella: I selected that message because I felt that peace is not always found on the easy path or running away from our problems. But rather, sometimes it is found by having the guts to face what is at hand and the strength to move on. I identified with what the message said exactly and how it represents our lives, especially when facing our fears.
Did the Sept. 21 activity and the need to promote peace impact them in any way?
Kyan: Yes. I had my fair share of hardships and everytime that I feel lost, I always find a way to make myself feel at peace in order to regain composure so that I could be efficient in the things I do.
Karlo: Yes. It has reminded me that I needed to be more understanding, patient, and mindful of my words and actions toward others.
Michaella: The observance of this message allowed me to come to terms with my past and what I have been through and how I have dealt with it.
It helped me realize that the tough times in my life can be seen as opportunities to grow in life and to face the fear and come out stronger.
It also allowed me to have peace with my situation and to have the guts to face it.
George: I would think so, especially now that I have bigger responsibilities to myself and those I care about. Between the me back then and the me now, I’ve seen plenty of relationships, both platonic and romantic, struggle because of poor communication. And it isn’t just about saying what’s on my mind, it’s also about setting healthy boundaries and seeing all sides of the whole story.
While I still make new mistakes here and there when it comes to communicating with others, I think that I’ve grown quite a bit and have learned from older mistakes. If I didn’t, I would not be able to bear my duties and responsibilities as a working adult, as a son, and as a friend.
My job involves a lot of research, understanding, and verification of circuits to make products used in other electronics. It’s a work environment that also heavily relies on good and professional communication, since we work in teams. And as much as possible, we try to lift each other up and cover for each other’s shortcomings.
The Sept. 21 occasion is truly a welcome occasion to reconnect with my students. What’s even more heart-warming is the realization that an academic activity which they did years back has somehow impacted their lives beyond their school lives — up to where they are now.
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This year’s IDP is focused on the theme, “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in his message for the global event, said:
“Peace is more than the absence of war; it is the foundation necessary to collectively tackle humanity’s challenges.”
Explaining the theme this year, he emphasized that peace “honors the ‘everyday architects of peace’ — people driving local action, laying the groundwork for stability, and building a lasting peace from the ground up.”
Remember, peace isn’t just built in conference rooms — it is shaped by everyone, everywhere, every day, he added.
He underscored further: Peace is the lived experience of safety, dignity, opportunities and cooperation in our daily lives.
It’s a challenge that each of us has to respond to not just on Sept. 21 but everyday — and everywhere.
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Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27) | NWI
