ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 24, 2010) – The Silsilah Dialogue Movement inaugurated the Center for Holistic Health Care and the Silsilah Dialogue Institute Conference Hall on May 20, 2010 in Harmony village in Pitogo in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines.
The inauguration also coincided with the launching of the Silsilah Alumni Special Year.
The Center for Holistic Health Care is the result of reflection over time on how to implement an initiative which is aligned with a pillar of dialogue, dialogue with creation, and which will promote a holistic, preventive approach to basic health care.
The Center for Holistic Health Care is the fruit of that reflection, according to Father Sebastiano D’ Ambra, the Silsilah founder.
The inauguration of the Center for Holistic Health Care was graced by the presence of distinguished guests like Doctor Aristedes Tan, the regional director of the Department of Health in Western Mindanao; Doctor Rodelin Agbulos, of the Zamboanga City Health Office; Father Antonio Moreno, the president of Ateneo de Zamboanga University; and members of the Center for Holistic Health Care Board of Volunteer Consultants, among others.
"I am living this great experience of dialogue in the same way I experienced the beginning of the movement. I hope the hope and spirit become bigger as these are what make Silsilah a real movement. For the next years to come, I would like to see Silsilah moving outside Zamboanga by means of many dialogue approaches," Father D’ Ambra said.
"One of such approach would be strengthening the effort in the different Silsilah Forum areas around the Philippines. After 25 years, the dialogue experience has become a reality not only to Silsilah but to other institutions who have understood the spiritual dimension of the essence of dialogue and peace. In the past, religion has been the occasion of conflict; instead religion must be an opportunity for reconciliation giving more attention to the centrality of God in the life of humanity," the Silsilah founder said.
The Center for Holistic Health Care promotes a holistic, preventive approach to basic health care. It seeks to promote healthy diet and the healing properties of herbs and other naturally occurring plants. This philosophy of health is promoted largely through training and health services.
The Center for Holistic Health Care is an expression of care in building a culture of dialogue, path to peace in the society in line with the vision and mission of Silsilah that promotes a style of life guided by the spirituality of life-in-dialogue with God, with self, with other and with creation according to each one’s own religion.
The Center for Holistic Health Care also plans to build linkages with various government agencies and with similar holistic health care centers in the Philippines and other countries. (Jung Francisco and Ramon Deles)
Showing posts with label Silsilah Dialogue Movement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Silsilah Dialogue Movement. Show all posts
Monday, May 24, 2010
Silsilah inaugurates Center for Holistic Health Care in Zamboanga City
Thursday, May 20, 2010
May 20, 2010: A Day to Celebrate and Remember
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The 20th day of May has always been significant day in the life of Silsilah Dialogue Movement and to some Muslim and Christian individuals who have become part of the movement since it started promoting dialogue and peace in the Philippines 26 years ago. May 20 marks the day in 1992 when Fr Salvatore was shot and killed in Zamboanga City while he was driving back to the PIME House in Suterville after a day of lectures for the Silsilah Summer Course.
Fr Salvatore used the expression “Padayon” (Move on) to encourage others in their work for the promotion of dialogue. This has become a common expression among Silsilah members and friends to encourage each other. On May 20 each year Fr. Salvatore is especially remembered with love and affection.
May 9 is the official date of Silsilah’s foundation and usually marked with a small celebration. Fr Sebastiano D’Ambra, Silsilah’s founder and a great friend of Fr Salvatore, during an interview said that: "This year, we moved the date of the 26th anniversary celebration of Silsilah to May 20 to give way to the preoccupation of the people in the election and to remember Fr Salvatore who died on that day in 1992. I am happy with the developments in the movement and that more people in the national and even at the international level look to Silsilah as a sign of hope not just in the Philippines but also in Asia. Regardless of the fact that we live in the midst of the difficulties we experience today, dialogue continues between and among people of different faith traditions, particularly among Muslims and Christians.”
Also on May 20 this year, two other occasions will be marked.
In preparation for the 25th year of the Silsilah Summer Course in 2011, a directory listing the names of the 2,000 or so people who have done the Silsilah Summer Course since the first one in 1986 will be launched. These 2000 people represent some 300 groups and institutions which have regularly sent participants to the summer course.
"Individuals who have attended the summer course are now key persons in different institutions and this experience of the course tells us that while the initial effort has been done by Silsilah, the same individuals exercise influence in their respective organizations or institutions to promote dialogue. Participants generally say that the Silsilah experience is always a positive one. We continue to provide this course for Muslims and Christians and people of other living faiths who are interested in dialogue and peace," Fr D’Ambra said.
On the same occasion, the Center for Holistic Health Care (CHHC) will be inaugurated. The CHHC is the result of reflection over time on how to implement an initiative which is aligned with a pillar of dialogue, dialogue with creation, and which will promote a holistic, preventive approach to basic health care. The CHHC is the fruit of that reflection.
The inauguration of the CHHC will be graced by the presence of distinguished guests like Dr Aristedes Tan, Regional Director of the Department of Health IX; Dr Rodelin Agbulos, City Health Officer; Fr Antonio Moreno, SJ, President of Ateneo de Zamboanga University; members of the CHHC’s Board of Volunteer Consultants, and other Silsilah friends, alumni and members.
"I am living this great experience of dialogue in the same way I experienced the beginning of the movement. I hope the hope and spirit become bigger as these are what make Silsilah a real movement. For the next years to come, I would like to see Silsilah moving outside Zamboanga by means of many dialogue approaches."
"One of such approach would be strengthening the effort in the different Silsilah Forum areas around the Philippines. After 25 years, the dialogue experience has become a reality not only to Silsilah but to other institutions who have understood the spiritual dimension of the essence of dialogue and peace. In the past, religion has been the occasion of conflict; instead religion must be an opportunity for reconciliation giving more attention to the centrality of God in the life of humanity," said Fr D' Ambra said in his message for the 26th anniversary of Silsilah.
Fr Salvatore used the expression “Padayon” (Move on) to encourage others in their work for the promotion of dialogue. This has become a common expression among Silsilah members and friends to encourage each other. On May 20 each year Fr. Salvatore is especially remembered with love and affection.
May 9 is the official date of Silsilah’s foundation and usually marked with a small celebration. Fr Sebastiano D’Ambra, Silsilah’s founder and a great friend of Fr Salvatore, during an interview said that: "This year, we moved the date of the 26th anniversary celebration of Silsilah to May 20 to give way to the preoccupation of the people in the election and to remember Fr Salvatore who died on that day in 1992. I am happy with the developments in the movement and that more people in the national and even at the international level look to Silsilah as a sign of hope not just in the Philippines but also in Asia. Regardless of the fact that we live in the midst of the difficulties we experience today, dialogue continues between and among people of different faith traditions, particularly among Muslims and Christians.”
Also on May 20 this year, two other occasions will be marked.
In preparation for the 25th year of the Silsilah Summer Course in 2011, a directory listing the names of the 2,000 or so people who have done the Silsilah Summer Course since the first one in 1986 will be launched. These 2000 people represent some 300 groups and institutions which have regularly sent participants to the summer course.
"Individuals who have attended the summer course are now key persons in different institutions and this experience of the course tells us that while the initial effort has been done by Silsilah, the same individuals exercise influence in their respective organizations or institutions to promote dialogue. Participants generally say that the Silsilah experience is always a positive one. We continue to provide this course for Muslims and Christians and people of other living faiths who are interested in dialogue and peace," Fr D’Ambra said.
On the same occasion, the Center for Holistic Health Care (CHHC) will be inaugurated. The CHHC is the result of reflection over time on how to implement an initiative which is aligned with a pillar of dialogue, dialogue with creation, and which will promote a holistic, preventive approach to basic health care. The CHHC is the fruit of that reflection.
The inauguration of the CHHC will be graced by the presence of distinguished guests like Dr Aristedes Tan, Regional Director of the Department of Health IX; Dr Rodelin Agbulos, City Health Officer; Fr Antonio Moreno, SJ, President of Ateneo de Zamboanga University; members of the CHHC’s Board of Volunteer Consultants, and other Silsilah friends, alumni and members.
"I am living this great experience of dialogue in the same way I experienced the beginning of the movement. I hope the hope and spirit become bigger as these are what make Silsilah a real movement. For the next years to come, I would like to see Silsilah moving outside Zamboanga by means of many dialogue approaches."
"One of such approach would be strengthening the effort in the different Silsilah Forum areas around the Philippines. After 25 years, the dialogue experience has become a reality not only to Silsilah but to other institutions who have understood the spiritual dimension of the essence of dialogue and peace. In the past, religion has been the occasion of conflict; instead religion must be an opportunity for reconciliation giving more attention to the centrality of God in the life of humanity," said Fr D' Ambra said in his message for the 26th anniversary of Silsilah.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Silsilah Dialogue Movement celebrates 25th anniversary
Silsilah Dialogue Movement celebrates 25th anniversary in the Philippines.
Touched by an experience of conflict between Muslims and Christians in Mindanao and inspired by God's dialogue with people of all cultures and religions, Fr. Sebastiano D'Ambra, PIME, with a group of Muslim and Christian friends, started officially the Silsilah Dialogue Movement in Zamboanga City on May 9, 1984.
Silsilah is an Arabic word which literally means chain or link. As used by the Sufis (Muslim Mystics), it describes a process of attaining an experience of the Divine. The same root word is used as genealogical tree which implies a spiritual chain of humanity as created by the same God.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Silsilah Dialogue Movement celebrates 25th anniversary in the Philippines
Silsilah Dialogue Movement celebrates 25th anniversary in the Philippines. Touched by an experience of conflict between Muslims and Christians in Mindanao and inspired by God's dialogue with people of all cultures and religions, Fr. Sebastiano D'Ambra, PIME with a group of Muslim and Christian friends started officially the Silsilah Dialogue Movement in Zamboanga City on May 9, 1984.
Silsilah is an Arabic word which literally means chain or link. As used by the Sufis (Muslim Mystics), it describes a process of attaining an experience of the Divine. The same root word is used as “geneological tree” which implies a spiritual chain of humanity as created by the same God.
Thus, “Silsilah” in the context of the Movement is taken as an inspiring and key concept to describe Muslims, Christians and people of other living faiths who are moving together as one universal family towards a shared vision and mission of dialogue and peace.
CALL
Recognizing the uniqueness of each religion, people are called to undergo a process of spiritual growth by a continuous discovering of God's dialogue in human experience. It is a call to witness God's presence in the plurality of religions and cultures.
It is also a call to live the spirituality of life-in-dialogue as the basic experience that leads to dialogue and peace. Silsilah is an arabic word which literally means chain or link.
VISION
In the name of God, the Fountain and Source of dialogue, Silsilah envisions a life-in-dialogue for all Muslims, Christians and Peoples of other living faiths, in respect, trust and love for one another and moving together towards a common experience of harmony, solidarity and peace.
MISSION
As instruments of dialogue and peace, we, the members of Silsilah, commit ourselves:
- to live the essence of our own faiths and bear witness to the value of our religious traditions.
- to be in dialogue with all people, regardless of culture and faith, by promoting a culture of dialogue with particular emphasis on the spiritual values; and
-to be in solidarity with all people in the upliftment of the less privileged in the building up of a progressive, just, humane and ecologically sound society.
Silsilah welcomes all to be part of the Movement as members, partners or friends willing to have a sincere responsible "link" in the spirit of dialogue and peace promoted by Silsilah.
Silsilah welcomes all to be part of the Movement as members, partners or friends willing to have a sincere responsible "link" in the spirit of dialogue and peace promoted by Silsilah.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Silsilah saves Zamboanga children from malnourishment
Children dig for scraps in Zamboanga City, where the prevalence of malnourished children is below normal, according to an article published December 7, 2008 by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (CBCP / Dec. 7, 2008) - Silsilah’s solidarity health program provides immediate attention to malnourished children here.
Malnutrition has become a major concern of Silsilah, a multi-dialogue movement, headed by Fr. Sebastiano D'Ambra, PIME, for the communities of Sta. Cruz Island, Sta. Catalina, Paniran Resettlement, Lower Calarian and Pitogo in Zamboanga City, according to a press release.
Urgent action had to be taken in response to the alarming increase of malnourished children in these communities. A survey was conducted to identify severely malnourished children and a special feeding program was set-up.
Seventy seven children were enlisted in the program ranging from 3 to 60 months old.
Twenty kids are from Sta. Cruz Island, 14 from Sta. Catalina, nine from Paniran, 20 from Lower Calarian, and 16 from Pitogo.
According to the latest world survey, the Philippines ranks as fifth of the hungriest nations.
In Zamboanga City alone, for the year 2008 the prevalence rate of malnourished children and their nutritional status is below normal, very low weight are 1,071 below normal, low weight are 5,366 out of 137,184 children ages from 0-71 months old.
The feeding is scheduled twice a week with the preparation of highly nutritious and balanced meals with added food supplement to enable the program achieve its goal.
In Pitogo for example, one four year old malnourished child has been suffering from meningitis since he was eight months old.
The feeding program is an answer to the family’s prayer. Silsilah has been serving these communities except two, Paniran and Pitogo which are relatively new.
Lower Calarian is the first community that Silsilah adopted in 1986 after a big fire which razed most of the houses to the ground.
Aside from the 77 children in the special feeding program, the Silsilah takes care of 136 underweight children in Lower Calarian alone. The children are weighed once a month to monitor their weight development.
There were two cases of children suffering from kwashiorkor, one died on his seventh day of admission to the hospital, the other survived.
Continued hospital care is beyond the financial capability which helps the family cope with the crisis.
To further strengthen the program through linkages, Silsilah invited the local City Health Office for a consultation meeting last October 25, 2008 at Harmony Village, in Pitogo.
The coming together was also to established friendship and collaboration in the delivery of health service on nutrition.
The meeting was attended by the City Health Nutritionist, Mrs. Leonides Macabinquil, Public health Nurse and Midwife of Sta. Catalina, Mrs. Iris Portia Garingo and Mrs. Allaney Marcelino, Campo Islam District Nurse Mrs. Gemma Omamalin, District Nurse of Ayala Mrs. Vivian Lubaton and Mrs. Hazel Fernandez midwife of Sinunuc Health Center.
It was a good opportunity to exchange notes on their respective health activities and experiences. Macabinquil appreciated Silsilah’s efforts that respond to health concerns of the solidarity communities. She assured the movement stronger link and collaboration with Silsilah. (Santosh Digal / CBCP)
Friday, August 15, 2008
Mindanao Youth To Hold Regional Peace Summit
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (CBCP / August 15, 2008) ─ A regional peace summit in Zamboanga City will allow the youth to listen to each other, in a spirit of dialogue, as they describe their thoughts on Dreaming a New Community through the Culture of Dialogue as Path to Peace.
Selected participants from the previous symposia on dialogue and peace held separately in Jolo, Basilan and Zamboanga City will participate in this upcoming 1st Regional Peace Summit.
In the earlier symposia, youth participants shared their thoughts on the theme “The Voice of the Youth for Dialogue and Peace: An Urgent Concern of the Times.”
The upcoming summit, organized by Silsilah Dialogue Movement will be held at the Oasis Dialogue Center in Pitogo, Sinunuc, Zamboanga City on August 22-24.
Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME, founder of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement said the summit comes at a judicious moment “when our community is challenged by decisions made and being made by our leaders.”
He said it is a challenge for everyone to “respond in a way that reflects our commitment to peace,” and that “it would be judicious for our government leaders to listen to what the youth have to say.”
The movement has always considered the youth as special collaborators in its pursuit of peace. It aims in imbuing the youth with ideals and values of dialogue which will mold them to become people of dialogue.
D’Ambra said the movement has a special program for the youth with activities designed to help them acquire an orientation to a life-in-dialogue.
“Among these activities have been training of madaris/gurus who teach values formation to the youth. There have been youth camps that provide Muslim and Christian youth, as well as youth from different religious traditions, to come together and forge bonds of friendship. Youth with talents for news writing have been trained to hone these skills so that they might use the press to promote the ideals of dialogue, peace and harmony which are at the core of Silsilah’s vision and mission,” said D’Ambra.
Silsilah Dialogue Movement promotes a spirituality that is open to dialogue to all faiths, based on trust and respect for other cultures. (Pinky Barrientos, FSP)
Selected participants from the previous symposia on dialogue and peace held separately in Jolo, Basilan and Zamboanga City will participate in this upcoming 1st Regional Peace Summit.
In the earlier symposia, youth participants shared their thoughts on the theme “The Voice of the Youth for Dialogue and Peace: An Urgent Concern of the Times.”
The upcoming summit, organized by Silsilah Dialogue Movement will be held at the Oasis Dialogue Center in Pitogo, Sinunuc, Zamboanga City on August 22-24.
Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME, founder of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement said the summit comes at a judicious moment “when our community is challenged by decisions made and being made by our leaders.”
He said it is a challenge for everyone to “respond in a way that reflects our commitment to peace,” and that “it would be judicious for our government leaders to listen to what the youth have to say.”
The movement has always considered the youth as special collaborators in its pursuit of peace. It aims in imbuing the youth with ideals and values of dialogue which will mold them to become people of dialogue.
D’Ambra said the movement has a special program for the youth with activities designed to help them acquire an orientation to a life-in-dialogue.
“Among these activities have been training of madaris/gurus who teach values formation to the youth. There have been youth camps that provide Muslim and Christian youth, as well as youth from different religious traditions, to come together and forge bonds of friendship. Youth with talents for news writing have been trained to hone these skills so that they might use the press to promote the ideals of dialogue, peace and harmony which are at the core of Silsilah’s vision and mission,” said D’Ambra.
Silsilah Dialogue Movement promotes a spirituality that is open to dialogue to all faiths, based on trust and respect for other cultures. (Pinky Barrientos, FSP)
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