2,000 people to join candle-lighting ceremony for peace Feb. 8

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said some 2,000 peace advocates will gather for a candle-lighting ceremony for the government's upcoming peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) on February 8. Malacañang on Monday, through the Twitter account of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, invited the public to take part in the candle-lighting ceremony in Quezon City starting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. The ceremony, dubbed "Ilaw ng Kapayapaan (Light for Peace)," will be held for the success of the government's peace talks with communist and secessionist rebels. Aquino will lead the ceremony at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City by ringing the peace bell and calling for a People Power for Peace. There will also be an interfaith prayer service and the flying of wish lanterns. “The candle (light) will represent the people who are finally making their voices heard," Jennifer Santiago Oreta, the lead convener of Ateneo’s Working Group on Security Sector Reform and one of the project organizers, said in an article posted on the OPAPP website http. Among those expected to attend the event are presidential peace process adviser Teresita Deles and government chief negotiator for NDF Alexander Padilla. Oreta said "Ilaw ng Kapayapaan" is “meant to symbolically show the public that a number of people not only support peace, but more importantly, are making a stand for it." Oreta also said the ringing of the Peace Bell will symbolize the triumphant character of a people united for a common purpose — peace. “As the Peace Bell rings, wish lanterns will be flown in the air to signify the prayer intentions of the people," she said. She said there will be no speeches or lengthy program involved in the activity as it is meant to be symbolic. Households urged to light candles Households nationwide were also encouraged to light candles outside their homes to show support for the peace talks. The government will resume talks with the MILF Feb. 9 and 10, and with the NDF Feb. 15 to 21. Other activities Meanwhile, Oreta said several activities have been lined up to encourage participation of stakeholders. These include: