Fellow Rotarians:

This was published in Goldstar Daily last August 22, 2009-page 16, back page.  DG Bing Rosales Juarez and District Secretary  Bebotte Chu gave us 3/4 of the page in full blazing colors!!

Go, go, go Iligan!!!

President Aji Garbanzos

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MSU-IIT KASAMA TAKES A STAND FOR PEACE FOR THE TRI-PEOPLE OF MINDANAO THROUGH A GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORD (GBWR) ATTEMPT

The MSU-IIT KASAMA (the student organization of MSU-IIT) with the cooperation of the the MSU-IIT administration and the tri-people organizations of MSU-IIT-SALAM, MIMSA, MYCOP and the LUMAD ASSOCIATION OF MSU-IIT is making a worldwide statement for peace in Mindanao by attempting a Guinness World Record on September 1, 2009 under the category “the most number of people singing the national anthem simultaneously”.

The activity is being spearheaded by Pioneer Insurance Iligan Branch and the Rotary Club of Iligan.

The attempt will coincide with the start of the “International Peace Awareness Month” which is the month of September.

The island of Mindanao is composed of the tri-people-Lumads, Christians and Muslims- and has long been the area of conflict among the seccessionist MILF and the government of the Philippines.

The Guinness activity is being made in order to accomplished the following:

1.   Build peace and unity among the tri-people in Mindanao
2.   Put an end to the useless shedding of blood in Mindanao
which has affected the  livelihood of  millions and ended
the lives of several thousands among the Mindanao
residents, specially the children
3.   Showcase to the world the harmonious living of  the
tri-people together in Iligan
4.   Showcase to the world that Christians, Muslims and the
Lumads (tribal people) can  co-exist together in peace
regardless of religious affiliation and belief
5.   Help build the economic future of our children in
Mindanao-it being considered   the poorest region in
the country despite of its abundant resources
6.   To build nationalism and patriotism among the
tri-people-one nation, one country, one people-one
Filipino nation
7.   To showcase Iligan as the “City of Peace” in Mindanao
8.   And to support the “God bless the Mountains” program
of RC-Iligan

The MSU-IIT KASAMA is headed by its president, Ms. Marlanie Piano and the Guinness Committee head is Ms. Dyl Mesina.

The MSU-IIT KASAMA is targetting 3,000 MSU-IIT constituents (student, faculty and staff) to surpass the record currently held by Israel.  The MSU-IIT KASAMA is however expecting more participants due to the well advertised attempt city wide.

This will be the first GBWR attempt in Mindanao and the first ever for the Mindanao State University (MSU) system..  September 1, 2009 happens to be the 48th foundation anniversary date of the entire MSU system.

Other than the main campus in Iligan several MSU-IIT alumni chapters (AIITAFI) headed by Professor Darwin Manubag will also be doing the attempt in their respective cities Mindanao wide-Dipolog, Dapitan, Cagayan de Oro and Cebu.  Their numbers to be confirmed upon submission of  video and audio documentation.

The event will be held on Sepember 1, 2009, Tuesday at 9 A.M., MSU-IIT gymnasium in Tibanga, Iligan City.  Present during said attempt will be the leaders of the tri-people in Iligan and the city leaders of Iligan.

Through this Guinness attempt MSU-IIT will also be applying with Rotary International- to be the “Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution” in Southeast Asia.  A distinction which is held by only 7 universities worldwide.  Congressman Mujiv Hataman of  Basilan recently donated a building to MSU-IIT  in line with this purpose-the Institute for Peace and Development Studies.

By leading this attempt MSU-IIT Main campus is encouraging all other MSU-IIT alumni chapters in Mindanao and worldwide to do the attempt again next year for a much bigger number of participants.