Magkapareho at magkaiba
Ang buhay sa mundo paano nagmula
Ang di magka-anyo magkahawig pala
Natutuwa ako at nakilala ka

So goes songwriter Gary Granada’s call for peace.

War, resource destruction and social injustice prevail in our world. Sadly, children often imitate adults and, at a young age, they start bullying and cheating in school, and commit violence and abuse at home and on the streets. We need to teach peace.

The basic foundation of peace education is to recognize and respect diversity. We are different from one another and that is why we have a vibrant world. Yet differences in race, religion, gender, social status often lead to misunderstanding and conflict.

Focus on caring

In his latest song collection, “Ang Ganda ng Mundo: Children’s Songs for Peace Education,” Granada focuses on caring for human beings, for beliefs, for resources, and for the environment.

We have different strengths and traits, but these are not all recognized and respected.

“Eight hours of fishing, farming or cleaning bottles is not anywhere near the equivalent of eight hours of software development, concert performance or playing professional sport,” says Granada. “The philosophy of our education system is partly to blame. Besides stressing the notion that some are smarter than others, competencies are seldom evenly appreciated. Even the University of the Philippines excludes physical education subjects in computing a student’s general average.”

In the eye-opening song “Pataasan,” Granada decries our tendency to lord it over others.

Pataasan, pasigaan, patigasan, pasindakan
Yun na raw ang pamantayang kasanayan na
Pahigitan, palamangan, pasikatan, payabangan
Yan na raw ang nahirati datirati pa

A bigger population puts pressure on our economy to grow. But another factor is the “insatiable desire for luxury and bragging rights that come hand in hand with possessing many inexpensive shiny things.”

Granada warns, “Giving in to the wants of a few, such as converting agricultural lands to golf courses or vast shopping complexes, often undermines the capacity of an economy to sustain basic needs.” He reminds us of these needs in a catchy melody:

Tirahan, damit at pagkain, pag-aaral at kalusugan
Malinis na tubig at hangin, hanapbuhay at kapanatagan
Ito ang mga pangunahing kailangan sa mundo
At ang paborito nating pahinga at laro!

In the stark song “Ayaw,” Granada reminds us that we cannot sacrifice our environment for the sake of economics.

Gusto mo ba ng gubat na walang puno
Gusto mo ba ng dagat na tuyo
Gusto mo bang sirain ang ating paligid
Gusto mo bang wasakin ang daigdig

Religion and science

Religious differences have led to major conflicts, but all faiths share common themes—to do good in the world, to serve others, to live well in a community.

Kabutihan ang sadya ng iba’t ibang mga paniniwala
Kabutihan sa kapwa, alang-alang sa mundong mapayapa
Kabutihan ng bayan at mga pamayanan
Layun ng iba’t ibang paninindigan
Sa halip na digmaan, tulunga’t unawaan
Pairalin ang sadyang kabutihan

We are born into this world to develop our talents and gifts to the fullest, so we can help others. Science is for the people.

“Promote technologies like clean energy, organic farming, and herbal medicines,” Granada says. “Oppose the proliferation of biological weapons, toxic production methods and other public hazards.”

The only thing I disagree with is the blanket opposition to genetic crops, because the jury is still out on this issue. Genetically-engineered crops have pros and cons but, for the record, the National Academy of Science and Technology, the highest scientific advisory body in the country, advocates research in this area.

Ang ating kaalaman sa sining at agham
Ang daming patakaran at kaugalian, para kanino ba?
Para sa ikabubuti ng mga nangangailangan
Para sa nakararami at di sa iilan lang

Public institutions

Who can help in peace education? A government that respects human rights. Public institutions that prioritize social services. A society that helps small enterprises and promotes fair trade. A church that works for the poor and oppressed. Media that are socially responsible. Schools that inculcate learning and accountability.

Our institutions often fail us, as told in the haunting “Kung Bakit”:

Mula pa sa sinapupunan….di mo ba tinatanong minsan
Kung bakit may gobyerno, may negosyo, may mga simbahan
Radyo, TV’t dyaryo, rebolusyonaryo, paaralan
Magpahanggang sa iyong libingan, ay di ka nila lulubayan
Taumbayan ba’y tinutulungan, o di kaya’y pampabigat lang

But Granada ends on a note of hope. “Compassion is the cornerstone of the house of peace. Bless those who find joy in doing good. The wings of change are made of hope.”

“Ang Ganda ng Mundo” has 20 original songs of peace, with minus-one versions. Children will love the lilting melodies and, hopefully, will imbibe the values contained in the lyrics. The CD collection comes with a 58-lesson syllabus for teachers, counselors or parents. Granada says, of all the 40-plus albums he has done in three decades, this is the one he is most proud of. I agree.

Call 09209047929 or visit www.garygranada.com.

E-mail blessbook@yahoo.com.