by Jose Ma. Montelibano

GK BAYANI Challenge 2009
Note: Come April every year, a GK Bayani challenge is held in various parts of the Philippines. The event is a gathering of heroes represented by civic groups, corporate partners, GK communities, various schools and government officials. This year's challenge was held simulatenously in Malaybalay, Wao and Kitaotao, in Mindanao. In a show of solidarity and brotherly love, people from all walks of life, gather in these events, in former war zones of Mindanao, immersing themselves in the true spirit of bayanihan in rebuilding the motherland. Next year's event is slotted to be in Sulu at the southern tip of the Philippines. Is it safe? Is it a bigger challenge? Columnist, GK hero and advocate, Jose Ma. Montelibano shares his thoughts on this upcoming event.

Boy Montelibano Sulu - Only For The Brave
by Jose Ma. Montelibano

April 2009 will be a special moment in the history of the Philippines. The GK Bayani Challenge will be in Sulu and Zamboanga, possibly also in Basilan. It is a dramatic decision, a bold initiative to rebuild relationships and rekindle the friendship of Muslims and Christians. It is as Christian as it is patriotic, definitely beyond the usual, and hopefully enough of a counterforce to the pattern of conflict that has dominated this strategic area.

Gawad Kalinga is, perhaps, the only mechanism today that can bring interaction of Muslims and Christians in substantial numbers to engage in a specifc activity - building communities and opening new windows of opportunities. This fact has been brought to our attention by the simultaneous requests for GK to establish its program in Sulu, requests made by the governor, the mayors (who are all Muslims) and the military hierarchy in Sulu. The very positive response of the community in the first GK village being built in Patikul is also affirmation that GK, even with its face as a movement led by Christians, is a powerful way to reconnect.

There are many who fear going to Sulu, and instead of overcoming that fear by understanding how conflict in one area can be cause for bombings of malls in Metro Manila, or buildings in New York, stoke the fear in others. That is a dis-service to the nation, to the invitation of heroism, to the call for holiness.

For those who do not realize what Gawad Kalinga has been doing, it will be good for them to be informed that Gawad Kalinga is present in the most delicate of areas, the most influenced by rebels from the Left and the most violent in recent Philippine history - like Camp Abubakar. To bring back history even earlier, GK began in the most dangerous slums and continues to be there. Yet, the leadership of GK has not been reckless all these years and those who have died while in mission did so from illness, not bravado.

It is natural to be afraid. It is also a virtue to overcome fear and turn it into bravery. Sulu - Only for the Brave. Why not? Salvation is never for the weak of heart.