"JUST like his struggle for success, our quest for peace in Mindanao is also tough. We also have to be patient and do more hard work."

This was how Diosita Andot, GoP-UN Act for Peace Programme manager, likened the quest for peace of the people in Mindanao to the life of Journey's vocalist Arnel Pineda, who had endured hardship before becoming an international artist.

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Andot also added that Pineda serves as inspiration to the youth in Mindanao not just for those who are aspiring for peace but also those dreaming to be a successful individual. "His struggle in the past is also like our struggle for peace in Mindanao."

Pineda recounted that during his younger days, he had to sleep on the streets and beg for food to survive. "Lahat ng hirap nadaanan ko, minsan may makain, minsan wala. Tiniis ko lahat ng ito para marating ko ang aking mga pangarap."

He also encouraged the younger generation to become an advocate for peace in Mindanao.

Pineda is among the celebrities who vowed to support the peace initiatives in Mindanao. He added that Mindanao is also close to his heart since his former wife hails from Digos City.

"As long as I have enough time, I will always be your big supporter in calling for peace in Mindanao. Ang pagkakamit ng kapayapaan ay maaring suntok sa buwan pero naniniwala ako na baling araw makakamit din natin yan," he said.

Panaghoy sa Kalinaw

On the eve of April 28, Pineda also joined several bands in a concert dubbed as Panaghoy sa Kalinaw (Yearnings for Peace) at the KCC Mall in General Santos.

Winning bands of the songwriting contest during the Mindanao Week of Peace in December last year also played their respective winning pieces along with some cover songs.

The crowd, who were mostly youth, went on stomping and screaming as Pineda emerged from backstage and sang two cover songs. They were also clamoring for Pineda to sing Journey's hit song "Open Arms."

Before granting the request of the ecstatic crowed, Pineda reaffirmed his commitment to advocate for peace in Mindanao.

As Pineda sang "Open Arms," the crowed seem to be overjoyed and sang along with Pineda, who was backed by a local band.

As finale, Pineda and a local female artist sang Asin's "Itanong mo sa mga Bata" backed by Peace Echo, a band from Koronadal City.

Presidential chief legal counsel Jesus Dureza, who also serves as the Programme's national director, also thanked Pineda for coming down to Mindanao and supporting the peace initiatives for free.

Organized by the Kapayapaan Kapatid Council, SocSarGen Peace Network, ABS-CBN, Kapisanan ng mga Broadcaster sa Pilipinas SarGen Chapter, Mindanao State University - General Santos City campus, and Habitat for Humanity, the concert aimed to provide educational supplies to schoolchildren affected by armed conflict in Sarangani through the audience's P50 donation.

Feeding program launched

Earlier on the same day, the Programme and the City Health Office also launched a feeding program at Barangay San Jose. The village is in the process of transformation as a peace and development community (PDC) that is assisted by Act for Peace Programme in collaboration with other development partners.

Supported by the governments of Australia, New Zealand, and Spain, the programme is implemented by the Mindanao Economic Development Council and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm).

At least 1,000 children availed of the first supplemental feeding.

Barangay chief Alfredo Belgica said of the 1,000 children in the village, around 150 are malnourished. Belgica thanked the program for initiating the feeding program as well as for giving them medical equipment for the health center.

A midwife also said the feeding program will be done three times a month.

Before the launching, Pineda also graced the short program and also sang with the children Journey's hit song "Open Arms."

San Jose used to be a battleground of government forces and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in the 1970s, leading to the displacement of the villagers.