By Teng L. Datu Cotabato City Bureau Chief ILIGAN City — In celebration of the season of hope, love and peace, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, partnered with Duyog Marawi, to spread the spirit of Christmas to the communities of evacuees from Marawi City over the weekend. With the theme “Puso at Kapayapaan: Magbigayan at Magmahalan,” Opapp serenaded the evacuees with Christmas carols while the children in return sang their own renditions of ‘Awit sa Marawi.’ The kids also engaged themselves on warm-up activities such as dancing along with the ‘Baby Shark’ and ‘Chicken Dance’ songs, coloring activities, and peace lectures. During her welcome remarks on the first day of the activity, Opapp Undersecretary and Executive Director Diosita Andot expressed her delight on the opportunity of going back and giving joy, especially to the children residing in the evacuation centers. “Ang gusto namin lang po talaga ay marinig at maramdaman niyo kung gaano namin kayo kamahal. yung pagmamahal na iyon, matagal na po ito – simula pa lang noong nangyari (ang gulo) sa Marawi,” Andot said. James Alih T. Abdul of Opapp’s Early Recovery and Rehabilitation Project, said there’s a lesson in seeing the kids in harmony with each other. “Kung nakikita niyo sila, masaya sila, lahat nakangiti at wala silang nakikitang divide. Kristiyano, Muslim, Katutubo – pantay sa kanilang mga paningin. Sana yung mga magulang ay tularan ang kanilang mga anak para tayo ay masaya at patuloy mamuhay ng payapa,” said Abdul. Hundreds of knapsacks containing school supplies, lunch kit, and candies were repacked and distributed by Opapp family to the temporary residents of Buru-un School of Fisheries, Sta. Elena Evacuation Center and home-based shelters at Barangay Upper Hinaplanon, in addition to the simultaneous activities also conducted at Kiwalan 5A and Kiwalan RC. The activity was part of Opapp’s early recovery and rehabilitation project for evacuees. Under Opapp’s Social Healing and Peace Building program, the activity is in line with the religious and cultural practices capacitating leaders in promoting peace in various localities.