The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
(OPAPP) holds KaPEACEtahan, an annual festive gathering of various sectors of
society, to celebrate the International Day of Peace, September 21, 2012 at SM
North The Block Atrium in Quezon City, Presidential Adviser on the Peace
Process Teresita Quintos Deles announced.
The festival features a job fair and a Serbisyong Bayan Center,
from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; and a cultural gala night at 6:00 pm, according to
Deles.
KaPEACEtahan likewise highlights this year's observation of the
9th National Peace Consciousness Month, themed 'Ako. Ikaw. Tayo. Magkakaiba,
Nagkakaisa sa Kapayapaan.'
"It brings together different sectors and stakeholders
involved in the peace process as well as the general public in celebrating the
pursuit of peace and the concrete steps taken to assure a better life for
people in conflict areas," Deles said.
The job fair, organized by the Department of Labor and
Employment for OPAPP's KaPEACEtahan, convenes more than 25 local and
international employers with over 2,500 job openings, according to Deles.
The Serbisyong Bayan Center, which will house different
government agencies, offers mobile services to the public.
The cultural gala features the talent of Filipino artists such
as Diwa De Leon, a hegalong player; and Joseph Valerio, a Talentadong Pinoy
Sand Artist, among others.
Set to grace the event are some of the recently named National
Peace Ambassadors of the "I am for Peace" campaign under OPAPP,
including award-winning actor Epy Quizon, actress and TV host Megan Young,
Internet action star Ramon Bautista, and promising model-turned-actor Mikael
Daez, who will lead the public in making their pledge for peace.
"KaPEACEtahan, a play on the word kapistahan which means festivity,
will feature the importance of peace and the journey taken in achieving
it," Deles said.
"If we (all Filipinos) work together, we can make things
happen. In working for a just and lasting peace, no one loses; no one is
short-changed or aggrieved," Deles added, saying that peace work cannot be
left to the government alone.
"The work of nation-building, the work of developing a
Philippines that the Filipinos really care for—that's the job of
everyone," she said.
Aside from the celebration of the International Day of Peace,
September 21 also marks the 40th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law.
(Fwd/bfc)