Mural honors OFWs, promotes peace

MANILA, Philippines - “Promoting peace has never been this fun,” said Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman, founder and executive director of the Teach Peace Build Peace Movement (TPBPM), an independent and non-profit organization that aims to make every Filipino child and youth a peace builder.

TPBPM collaborates with the Philippine Overseas and Employment Agency (POEA) with the support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the  Manila Development Authority, through a peace mural painting project in the 120-meter long fence of the POEA building. Themed “Mga OFWs bilang mga Bayani ng Bayan,” the project highlights the connection of peace to the POEA’s advocacy in protecting OFWs from illegal recruiters and human traffickers.

TPBPM’s creative approach to peace building involves art as a means for cultural exchange where artists, volunteers, representatives of government, civil and private organizations come together to paint the country’s walls with colors of peace.

“Art, for us, is a language that transcends cultural differences. We use this as a way to get our message across and this time, we are using it to honor the OFWs.”

“Mural painting is a good instrument in getting across one’s message and illustrating positive Filipino values. This is also a creative way of informing our countrymen of the legal process if they plan on working abroad or obtaining overseas employment,” shared POEA deputy administrator Amuerfina Reyes.

On Saturday, TPBPM will once again promote artistic vandalism by holding the first leg of the peace mural painting along the 51st Engineering Brigade wall on C5. To register, visit facebook.com/teachbuildpeace or contact Bernadette Fernandez through (0915) 8480230 or email  [email protected].