“SARI-SARI” (diverse); “SALU-SALO”(sharing); “SAMA-SAMA”(together) – This is the remedy recommended by the Silsilah Media Center for Dialogue and Peace in Zamboanga City.
In building a society for the common good, the Silsilah Summer Special Course of 2009 endorsed a culture of dialogue as the more sustainable path to peace.
In a dialogue, the participants are actually searching for “WHAT” is right and not for “WHO” is right. This spells the right attitude in any meeting or confrontation of human beings towards resolving any issue or conflict that may impede the attainment of a peaceful relationship.
I do believe that this is a remedy that could be applied to our everyday life in whatever community we may be.
“SARI-SARI” – acknowledges the fact that we see things from different points of view, and so we have different opinions or viewpoints.
“SALU-SALO” – encourages us to share sincerely whatever viewpoints we may have, but with an open mind to also listen to the viewpoints of others.
“SAMA-SAMA” – focuses on the end objective of our dialogue, which is to accept whatever differences we may have but capitalize on the points where there is agreement and come to an understanding which enables us to respect each other despite our differences, and thus live peacefully with each other.
Starting with our FAMILY, the basic unit of society, this process of sari-sari, salu-salo, and sama-sama, could very well make it a HOME where everyone feels comfortable and at peace with one another.
In our NEIGHBORHOOD or the community where we live, a peaceful environment could be created if everyone would give due respect to each other despite any differences in opinion, culture, religion. or political affiliation.
In our NATION at large, the CYCLE OF EVIL could be broken and PEACE could reign throughout the land if we could truly regard each other as all creatures of one the same God, travellers in this world, with one and the same destiny –TO BE UNITED WITH GOD FOR ALL ETERNITY
May this serve as a FOOD FOR THOUGHT that can inspire a COURSE OF ACTION and thus bring about a lasting PEACE IN OURSELF, IN OUR FAMILY, IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, AND IN OUR COUNTRY.
By: Salvador "Buddy" Cagurangan
July 26, 2009
