A Pathway for Peace: Project Amihan Wraps Up Three-Day Digital Storytelling Workshop

by Thea Maristelle Pusod


With their advocacy to anchor on friendship as a tool for peace, Project Amihan: Young Peace Weavers’ first initiative, a three-day Digital Storytelling Workshop, came to a close on August 26 at Alan Sr. Residences in Iligan City, featuring a focused critique of the participants’ video outputs and a reflective session on the entire workshop experience.


The workshop outputs—short videos created by each pair of friends, partnered during the application process—leveraged the humor of popular culture to craft their advocacy videos aimed at capturing the media consumer’s attention. The judges namely John Marwin Elao, a social producer of Philippine Star; Mark Anthony Artis, an educator from Baua National High School in Cagayan Valley; and Paolo Miguel Ordonio, Deputy Executive Director of the Break the Fake Movement, who were also resource speakers from day two, contributed their expertise in critiquing the technicalities of each video that was presented.


Technical expertise was passed on by the judges as they shared insights into elements and devices such as flashbacks, used by the first pair, Jamalodin Mutto and Sharid Mojid. Mutto and Mojid’s video tackled the stereotypes of each other’s cultures and used the cinematographic device of flashback to convey their friendship, sharing how they share the same humor despite coming from different cultures.


Meanwhile, Dañiela Liparanon, a Bisaya participant from Cagayan de Oro City, shared her emotional whirlwind depicted in her video, as she struggled with the dilemma of choosing herself over her family. “I am forced to be an adult, at a very young age. Since elementary ako, nag [wowork] nako just to support my studies. Studying college —that’s when I decided to work to support my family, since we can't really depend on my Ate’s. One of my Ate —she has a family [na]. So I needed to step up to help my parents. They're growing old naman; they’re not getting younger —so I needed to sacrifice myself,” Liparanon expressed her feelings about being a breadwinner at a young age.


Despite all of the challenges she has faced, her friend and workshop partner, Hasanah Basher a Maranao from Marawi City, has been a significant source of support throughout her journey. She added, “Dako kaayo siya ug impact sa akong life. Basically, her— that pushes me to [really] decide fully to choose myself—because it’s not really an easy choice. Imagine, I have been in this situation for nine years”.


Leparanon mentioned that she initially felt her friends were not good for her, as she believed they constantly redirected her priorities away from her family obligations towards her own interests and dreams. This realization did not change her priorities; rather, it broadened her perspective, leading her to understand that focusing on herself is just as important. As depicted in her statement: ‘The realization came na siguro [yes] enough na— AKO napud. By having her [Hasanah] in my life, she really pushes me to what I am, to who I am right now. I was also endorsed in this other world, where seminars and peace building happens [so] dako kaayo siya ug [nahatag] na growth sa ako karon. That is the wonderful friendship I have shared with Hanah.”


Meanwhile, Jay Ritchie Mikin, recognized as the winner for the Video Production together with his friend Settie Johanna Baunto, shared his reflection on the event. He expressed his appreciation for the unique focus of the Digital Storytelling Workshop that emphasized on friendships with people of diverse religions and ethnic backgrounds, noting that it offered something new and distinctive. Mikin also extended his gratitude to the team behind the event for creating a safe space where participants could share their growth and friendships, even within the brief three-day period.


Zailla Althea Alarde, a Psychology student from the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) of Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), also shared her thoughts on the friendship and bond that developed during the event, expressing her hope that this connection would not only persist but continue to grow.


Reflecting on the activities from day one to day three, Alarde reminisced about the experiences they shared. She reiterated, “Even now, on our last day, our friendship continues to grow. I hope it doesn’t end here, even outside of this event. We should continue to be friends despite our differences”.


Certificates were presented to the three resource speakers who traveled from Luzon to Iligan City for their time spent with the 20 participants in the discourse on peacebuilding. The participants also received certificates for their contributions and active participation throughout the three-day event.


Project Leader, Lou Ellen Antonio shared her insights regarding the workshop’s successful outcome. She emphasized the growth of friendship among each pair of participants, noting that the workshop not only tended to the deeper bond of each pair but also broadened their horizons through interactions with the other participants. Antonio stated, “Daghan gyud sila ug nalearn— although murag information overload kaayo sila. Pero nakita nako sila nga very participative, interested kaayo sila.”


Antonio also remarked on the value of critiquing the participants’ outputs, noting that it was essential for their improvement. She expressed confidence that the feedback they received was highly beneficial, recognizing that attention to technical details is crucial for engaging the audience.


The event concluded with Project Leader Antonio quoting Professor Sittie Pasandalan’s words from her lecture on the first day: “If you can imagine it, you can create it.” Antonio reinforced the importance of persistence, noting that while creating a project might have challenges, it is crucial to return and reaffirm its initial purpose.