Random thoughts on peace in Mindanao

My realm is my homeland. My world is my home. The centre of my universe is where my shadow is. To see, to aspire, and to dream is a part of my sky. It is beyond what I can see. It’s beyond what I can do. And I go beyond what I dream. For my sky is distinct in majesty. But is peace distinct? Or is it elusive as it always is in my homeland? Can I always go beyond what I vision about peace? Can I stretch my world and my universe? Can I hold peace once? Or twice? Or thrice? Then, can I have the freedom to spread the colourful wings of peace and shower it into my restless realm longing for justice and tranquility for decades and centuries now? Oh yes… colourful wings? What makes it colourful? Is it yellow, blue, red? Is it because of pink, white, and green? Or is it because it is rainbow-coloured peace? Does it have colour anyway? Or colours of peace go beyond what we literally know, see, and feel? Will it heal the wounds of misconception and differences? Will it give light on the dimming relationship? Will it open the mind of people haunted by the bloody and anxious past? Or will it show the way to the long journey of untangling complexities and predicament?

There is no place like home..

So this is my month old living the busy life of Bangkok, Thailand and still counting. This is not the first time I am away with my family, but this would be my longest time. I am happy for I definitely able to experience a life where I discipline myself alone. But on the other hand, I miss a lot of things back home that my vision is longing to see, my ears longing to hear, my tongue longing to taste, my nose longing to smell, and my skin longing to touch…

1. Language and dialects

I miss it a lot. English is not my native tongue but it is our second language in Philippines. I studied english from primary school up to my university and used it in our daily life and work. But I miss speaking freely and colloquially the Filipino language, where I can express everything I want to with sense of convenience and right expression. Specially, I miss my ethnic dialect, Maguindanaoan. I am not fluent speaking my dialect  as compared to others. But I am trying to… and I know, wherever I am I will never forget it for I always long for it.

2. Culture, lifestyle, and beauty

I am very proud to everyone I meet, that I was born, raised, schooled, and worked in Mindanao. Wherever I go, I always miss home. I always miss its authenticity. Its uniqueness. Its beauty and splendor. I miss the culture and diversity. I miss the people’s enthusiasm. I miss the food. I miss the fresh food that is readily available around me. I miss our small city – despite the chaos and unsecured environment.