UVPN History: It all started as a Dream...

2003

Ms. Suad K. Usman, a Mathematics teacher in Sultan Kudarat Islamic Academy (SKIA), Brgy. Bulalo, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao conceived a plan to conduct a Pre-Ramadhan Exhibit as part of the preparation for the coming of the Holy Month of Ramadhan. Having the Special Science Class-II as the best class for her during that school year, she assigned it to facilitate the said activity to be led by Hamodi L. Tiboron. Mr. Tiboron accepted the task. Together with Jelfaad J. Salik, he asked for the approval of the school administration, delegated tasks to each committee formed in the class and assisted Ms. Usman in gathering all the materials to be used in the exhibit. The activity had been impressively successful. Huge number of the school's constituents had visited the exhibit. Muslim constituents were urged to strengthen their faith while the Non-Muslim ones were able to change their views towards ISLAM, leaving no more misconceptions against the religion. This noble undertaking had truly inspired Mr. Tiboron. His spirit as a Muslim student leader had been ignited.

2004

Being noted as an active third year high school student, Mr. Tiboron was chosen by Hadja Bai Salma Lourdes V. Mastura, the better half of the SKIA President and Founder Datu Michael O. Mastura, dean of the college and president of the Asian Conference on Religion and Peace (ACRP) in the Philippines, to be one of the SKIA delegates to the Three-Day Interfaith Dialogue in Southern Christian College, Midsayap, North Cotabato. This program was participated in by different personalities from various sectors of the society all over the Philippines. Aside from the interfaith dialogue itself, the delegates were also immersed to different Muslim, Christian and Lumad communities in North Cotabato. This activity served as an eye-opener to Mr. Tiboron to the reality, as far as peace and order situation in Southern Philippines is concerned. 

"Amidst Adversity, There can be Solidarity" -An Essay from a UVPian

Bismillah With the aim of involving all our UVP Youth Members in contributing their literary pieces, essays and insights about UVPN and our advocacy, we have received an email/essay from a fellow UVPN Student. Here is her story of how she wanted to make change to her community and finally made it through UVPN. Alhamdulillah!

Amidst Adversity, There can be Solidarity
By: Hasmiene Diocolano Ibrahim

    I was sitting in the bench early in the morning while waiting for my friends to arrive; we have this usual meeting to discuss important matters for our bulk school requirements. I have heard unintentionally from the other edge, a cluster of students exchanging stories about the remarkable experiences they had during flood times. The fact is that, flood seems so normal in the city. When it rains, even not heavy, we can expect for it to turn up. After some time, I grasp several apprehensions.

    With all of those customary occurrences in and out of the university, nothing is more notable than June 2011 flood in Cotabato City, Sultan Kudarat, and nearby areas. The week long flood have already displaced an estimated 500,000 – 650,000 persons, damaged vast properties and so with their livelihood. These might seem so tremendous. Are these really this way? At a first glance, no doubt, it could be deemed as it is. However, we have to bear in our mind the concept of  Divine Will (Qadaa)  and Predestination (Qadar).These are basic principles of faith that we have to internalize deeply as a Muslim believer. Why did I include this? We have inculcated that Allah (SWT) made this to happen for a purpose or purposes. We might not automatically realize it, but surely, there is. As mentioned in our Holy Book (Qur’an 36:82) “Verily, His Command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says to it, “Be!”- and it is !”. Whatever Allah decrees will happen inevitably comes to pass by His Power. 

Further, the Prophet (SAW) said “Allah wrote the decrees of His creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, and He said: His Throne is above the water.” Hence, no rooms for questions and contentions because Allah (SWT) have carefully taken into account various facets of our lives.

    We could attest on this. Many individuals across different areas have cast their means to assist multifold victims of flood. Here we could manifest how mankinds fulfill its duty as a trustee of Allah (SWT). As His vicegerent, we must be prudent to accomplish our responsibilities in this world. We are accountable to what we have. Our knowledge, properties, and all the treasures that we cherished, we owe all of this to Him. We must not be arrogant on believing that what we achieve is just the product of our own efforts and nothing more. We have to go back to the basic principle that Allah (SWT) has the full control of all the dealings of the humanity. If not through His will, we can’t rejoice what we have. What I would like to emphasize, that though these floods caused a lot to us, it is still worthy. This is where we have witness how solidarity amidst diversity reign among humankind.