by Ian S. Embradura, OPI

Believing in the idea that Mindanao is the Land of Promise, a group of young and dynamic employees of MSU-IIT came together to organize the first TEDx event in the Institute, the fourth in Mindanao.
TEDxMSUIIT through six talks on different promises provided the platform of sharing the idea that Mindanao is not what is commonly reported on news. One of the driving force of the group is to combat negative publicity about Mindanao. As witnessed by 100 onsite participants from all walks of life– students and professionals, plus live stream viewers, TEDxMSUIIT has fulfilled its aim.

Professor Imelu G. Mordeno, a clinical psychologist and an expert in disaster preparation, trauma, and mental health-related issues shared about the Mindanaoan’s resiliency on natural calamities and man-made disasters. Mordeno emphasized that it is through one’s faith and love in his homeland that the people of Mindanao have the promise to stand and remain strong no matter the catastrophes.

Sharing about the choices that she has made as a woman, Anak Mindanao Partylist Representative Sitti Djalia A. Tubarin-Hataman talked about how her choices have become who she is right now –a wife, a mother, and a congresswoman—and so can every other woman in Mindanao, in this land where women’s choices are heard because they matter.

Talaandig princess and painter Salima Saway-Agraan shared the stories of her people by showing three soil paintings. Using soil as medium is the best way to capture and represent the Talaandig culture according to Saway-Agraan. In her talk, she shared how different kinds of soil can be used as colors on canvass ensuring the idea that from the soil we live on, comes our stories.

Dumingag Municipal Mayor, Nacianceno M. Pacalioga shared how through collective leadership, the municipality has risen from being a 4th class municipality to being a 2nd class municipality. The growth of the municipality is all due to the shared idea of the Dumingag people to consciously support and practice organic farming.

The Institute Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Jinky B. Bornales shared how Physics can explain randomness in life. Through various researches conducted, Bornales shared that “there is always a way of contributing to the body of knowledge despite the random events that surround us every day.”

Palanca awardee and Professor German V. Gervacio shared on the reality in myth and the myth in reality. The beloved comical writer talked about the promise of literature in terms of the merits of truthfulness in our myths, however unreal reality is repackaged.
TEDxMSUIIT In the Land of Promise was made possible by Louis Mark Plaza (CED-IDS); Sittie Noffaisah Pasandalan, Amado Guinto, Jr., Honeylet Dumoran (CASS);Pamela Resurreccion, Safa Manala-o, Marlo Novino (CBAA); Lemuel Velasco (SCS); Zarina Villadolid (OVCAA); and 40 volunteers. TEDxMSUIIT was sponsored by Cebu Pacific, PBCom, Mapalad, and Tedts Diner.
Looking forward to another TEDxMSUIIT, the team has already started evaluating and reporting to TED on the conduct of the first TEDxMSUIIT held on November 27 at CASSalida Theater.
TEDxMSUIIT is the team’s way of celebrating Mindanao Week of Peace, which annually happens from the last week of November to the first week of December.
Topics : tedx mindanao the land of promise