Phl Azkals support govt's peace process

By Jose Rafael Cesar Atencio

Monday 3rd of September 2012

PASIG CITY, Sept 3 (PIA) -- Celebrity football players, the Philippine Azkals, and the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) officials on Sunday extended their support to government’s efforts to promote the ongoing peace process.

They made a special appearance at the opening of the observance of the National Peace Consciousness Month at the Philsports Football field in Pasig City.

Azkals Team Manager Dan Palami led a football clinic at the Peace Month kick off dubbed, “1Goal for Peace” at the PhilSports Complex.

The Azkals shared their skills to some 100 less privileged children on the basics of the sport, as part of the peace month celebration.

“We are actually dedicating all our games this September for peace,” Palami said.

For Palami, observing peace month is an avenue to raise awareness of the situation of peace problem here in the Philippines. He said the team is happy to be a part of this celebration and hopes that the everyone can finally see an end in the conflicts in the Philippines.

“1Goal for Peace is the kick-off ceremony for Peace Month. September has been declared as the Peace Consciousness Month since 2004, so now on its 9th year we have several activities that are lined up, aimed to mainstream the peace process and promote it to the general public,” Polly Michelle Cunanan, Communications Unit Director and Spokesperson of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said.

Azkals team captain Aly Borromeo said that national football players, who are also in preparation for this year’s Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup, will be taking part in the peace month, as new Ambassadors for Peace, through teaching football which he said is a great avenue to promote peace.

“Just like (in playing football as a team), if you want to promote peace you need to work together, you put aside the differences,” Borromeo added.

For her part, OPAPP Sec. Teresita Deles said the government is glad in getting the support of the Azkals, who are much admired by Filipino youth, for the peace process. “I am and I’m sure the country is thankful to the Azkals and the PFF for their support to achieve peace in the country.”

OPAPP leads the annual festivity of peace month with the theme “Ako. Ikaw. Tayo. Magkakaiba, Nagkakaisa sa Kapayapaan” urging different sectors, including government agencies, private and civil society organizations, to contribute in achieving a just and lasting peace for the country.

Azkals team player Jason Sabio said that the team relates well to this theme. “We are mixed of different cultures and from different social classes. But we have shown that if we work together, we can achieve something and this is what we want to promote.”

Sabio also related the theme of unity and teamwork on the peace process. “In the peace process no one’s the same. (But) it’s really about finding a way to explore everyone’s uniqueness to increase the welfare of everybody. With football, being part of the team…we need to add on the strengths of each other to maximize the welfare. Just like when we are trying to promote peace or resolve conflict, we have to do the same.”

1Goal for Peace is the first event in the month-long celebration of peace to be led by OPAPP in partnership with the PFF, will be participated by several stakeholders of the peace process in hopes of rallying the message that peace building requires hardwork, collective efforts and support of all members of the Philippine society. (RJB/JRCA/OPAPP-PIA NCR)