TACLOBAN CITY –Members of the Metro Tacloban Peace and Development Workers Federation conducted a rally in the city on Monday (Dec.26) to condemn the atrocities being committed by the communist group that affects the livelihood and daily lives of ordinary people like farmers and families.
The action coincided with the 45th founding anniversary of the founding of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
The group, whose members are former rebels and supporters, added that they are glad to hear the report that the founding chair of the CPP, Jose Maria ‘Joma’ Sison, has died.
They said that the death of Sison will weaken the strength of the communist group.
They also urged members of the communist party, particularly those belonging to NPA, to now surrender and avail the programs of the government for them to start a new life.
In Robinsons North, members of local artists in Eastern Visayas held a three-day art exhibit they called Peace and Quiet Art Show that ended on Wednesday (Dec.28).
The art exhibit showcased paintings and arts installation.
Among the display the art was that of Mark Balais he called ‘Mother and Lost Son’, a twist of the Madonna and Child or Mother and Child.
Balais said that his artwork depicts the parent’s emotions particularly mothers who lost their children from the hands of communist members who recruited their children.
His artwork used a blouse that represent a mother, and baby clothes with one had a writing “My son is missing.”
Another art installation displayed at the art exhibit is called ‘Danas’ by Idol Apurillo where he used some of the things that farmer’s uses in farm and a toy gun made from banana leaves.
His artwork includes hat made from buri, kangga or carabao sled, coconut rope that represents the farmers. The toy gun made from banana leaves represent children in rural areas who uses them during playtime when gadgets was still not popular.
“Thank you for participating. Nakakatuwa itong ginawa ninyo dahil itong araw na ito, ngayon ay anibersaryo ng CPP. At bilang nasa gobyerno kino-condemn po natin ang CPP at New People’s Army, at through your art work pinapakita po ninyo na kinakailangan na talaga nating tapusin ang insurgency,” Tacloban City Police Director PCol Michael Palermo said.
The art exhibit was organized by the Pitad Kultura Waraynon.
At the People Center in Tacloban, a peace concert was also organized with performers coming from the winners of the battle of band competition organized by Istolo Poetry, Hands of our Children, and Tacloban City Police Office.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
