As I look toward the horizon of 2031, I am deeply humbled to lead PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI) into a season defined not merely by pioneering, but by Regeneration. Over the past two decades, our journey has been one of profound transformation, moving from a founder-driven model to a self-sustaining life system where the Four Harmonies are woven into the very fabric of our nation. My mandate as President and CEO has been to serve as a Bridge-Builder, ensuring that this sacred theology of Peace and Reconciliation (PAR) is translated from the pioneering visions of our founders into the language of the modern marketplace and the aspirations of a new generation.
Central to this transformation is our deep companionship with the Academe, Churches, Government Agencies, and the Business Sectors. A cornerstone of our vision is the institutionalization of Peace and Reconciliation (PAR) Communities across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, driven by the integration of a peace curriculum within the very heart of our educational systems. By establishing University PAR, we are transforming academic institutions into Peace Hubs; centers of research, training, and community engagement where the PAR framework is embedded not only in secular universities but also in diverse faith-based schools and seminaries. While not all communities have reached full self-sustainability yet, this integration into the curriculum and the creation of these hubs ensure that the seeds of peace are permanently planted in the soil of our archipelago. This reach is further amplified by our Quad-Sector integration, where we practice Economic Peacebuilding to align the mission-driven passion of our church partners with the economic resources of the business sector and the structural support of government agencies.
Crucially, we recognize that the Regeneration of peacebuilding is, at its heart, a process of Healing. By moving beyond the initial resolution of conflict and into a regenerative phase, we allow for the deep psycho-social and spiritual restoration of our people and our land. The most profound shift in my tenure has been witnessing the transition from mentoring youth to seeing their growing ownership of this mission. Today, IP and Bangsamoro Youth are emerging as the primary managers of their ancestral domains and the lead operatives of our IncluDev (Inclusive Development) projects. We have stepped back as teachers and stepped up as coaches, providing the technical and social enterprise skills necessary for long-term resilience.
By realigning our resources from mission-based grants to data-driven social enterprises, we are fostering regenerated PAR Communities that prioritize holistic health and restoration. As we look back on twenty years of growth and forward to the next decade, our commitment remains steadfast: we have not changed our DNA, but through this strategic shift, we have powerfully and permanently expanded our reach.
1 comment
Bennette—this is so, so good.
I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside PBCI for a number of years through my work with Mennonite Church Canada, and reading this just made me smile. It feels like one of those moments where you can see both the history and the future coming together in a really beautiful way.
I love the way you frame “regeneration.” It would be easy for people to read that and think “change” or “shift,” but what I hear is something deeper—life multiplying out of what’s already been faithfully built. That’s exciting. That’s the kind of leadership that doesn’t just maintain something good, but releases something new.
Mostly, I’m just celebrating this moment with you.
This feels significant—not just for PBCI, but for so many people and communities who are going to be impacted because of your leadership in this new role.
Really grateful for you, Bennette. And genuinely excited to see where this goes.