Peace talks in Oslo

During the press briefing made by Peace Secretary Teresita Deles before the Philippine government peace panel left Sunday evening for Oslo, Norway, she explained the objective of the peace talks by elaborating on the specific agenda both parties were supposed to discuss. The meeting in Oslo is supposed to cover mainly the establishment of the parameters of the talks which will be discussed in more detail on a continuing basis, after an interim understanding is hopefully reached that would smoothen and pave the way for the discussions in achieving a possible breakthrough or peace agreement. The talks are not designed to arrive at an immediate conclusion or the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement, but rather, they are a means to smoothen the path to a lasting peace. This is important for the public to know in light of so many speculations going on that are not healthy to the advancement of the peace process.

It is important to note that before and when the Philippine government and the NPA/NDF agreed to resume the peace talks, both parties knew and clearly understood the gravity of the contentious issue attached to the latter’s inclusion in the list of terrorist organizations by the United States. Obviously, this is a constraint that was created at the instigation by a foreign government in which the Philippines has no control or jurisdiction at all. But at the same time, if and when the GRP-NPA/NDP peace negotiators have a meeting of minds and achieve their objectives in the talks, and work round the clock together in reaching a favorable consensus in ending the war – then perhaps the Philippine government will have the necessary cards to play for flexibility and elbow-room to maneuver the possibility of helping in the de-listing of NPA/NDF as terrorist organizations.

This of course is not easy to accomplish especially when hard-liners are in control of the situation.

"Amazing‚" is the word for Emily Marcelo, a broadcast and prints journalist and environmentalist who last week came up with a one-woman exhibition of paintings which is currently on view at the Le Souflé restaurant on Ruby St., Ortigas. Her knowledge of art works had been limited to appreciating and collecting them, and never included handling the easel herself. But a year ago, out of the simple desire to try something different, she took lessons from the painter Nestor Villanueva, who, Emily says, "never saddled us with rules or techniques or his own prejudices or even his bag or good habits. According to him, "You don’t teach a child to walk, he does it all by himself. What he gave us students was wings to fly and extreme confidence that we are good. He said it so well that I just had to believe him. "

In a period of one year, Emily painted more than a hundred pieces. Emily‚s son Pepper, when asked about his mother’s paintings, says, "The body of her work is astonishing, not just in craftsmanship, considering the limited period which she has devoted regularly to painting. From vivid, rolling valleys to breathtaking landscapes of sand, wheat fields, and grass; from the detailed depictions of vibrant flowers and fauna to the lumbering immensely age-old trees, her paintings convey a peaceful, beatific ambience of serenity, comfort, and peace. Never pretentious, angst-ridden or moody, she paints an optimist viewpoint of the best our world can be, without the wanton defilement of human ignorance and carelessness."

Emily has an AB in journalism from the University of the Philippines. She’s led quite an eclectic career: freelance writer and publicist, TV segment host, radio broadcaster, UN Radio, and assistant at the Brunei Darussalam, the World Bank, and the Marshall Islands missions in New York. Upon her return to Manila, she worked for the Asian Institute of Management as a fund-raiser, and Manila Water as public relations strategist. Then she joined Vic Milan as co-host of "Kalikasan Vigilante", a nightly radio program on the environment on DWBR, 104 FM.

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