Dann Pantoja is beginning to use his Tagalog indigenous name — Lakan Sumulong. This is a statement that our indigenous identities can be a redeeming factor in healing our 'being' (that is, who we are as a people); help symbolize our determination to contribute what we ought to be 'doing' as a nation (that is, active, non-violent, radical transformation); and, determine how we will prioritize what we will be 'having' (that is, inclusive growth and national development based on justice and peace).
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PURSUING PEACE AND RECONCILIATION AMIDST THE CHALLENGING POLITICAL REALITIES WE’RE FACING
Peace and justice advocates are facing great challenges and difficulties as the government intensify their anti-insurgency campaign. In 30 March,14 farmers were killed by the police and military in Negros Oriental. Last 04 April, the president made a public threat to arrest critics and declare a ‘revolutionary war.’ A UN rapporteur testifies that there is a silent war being waged on Philippine indigenous communities. As faith-based peace-and-justice field workers committed to active nonviolence, how should we respond to these challenges?
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2019/04/pursuing-peace-and-reconciliation-amidst-the-political-challenges-were-facing/
JOJI SHARES HER ‘COFFEE FOR PEACE’ STORY TO INSPIRE WOMEN IN DAVAO OCCIDENTAL
Last Thursday, 28 March, the provincial government of Davao Occidental invited Joji to be the keynote speaker at their 2019 National Women’s Month Celebration. Speaking on the theme “We Make Change Work For Women,” Joji emphasized both the reproductive and productive roles of women as community leaders. She shared her journey as a mother and her Coffee For Peace story to illustrate the main points of her speech.
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2019/03/joji-shares-coffee-for-peace-story-to-inspire-women-in-davao-occidental/
LUMAD, MORO, AND SETTLERS AFFIRM THEIR KINSHIP AS PRIMARY BASIS FOR PEACE
“Peace is within our reach but largely depends on our willingness to treat each other within the bond of kinship!” This has been the continuing message of Datu Migketay “Vic” Saway as he calls various leaders of Indigenous Peoples, Moro, and Settlers to gather together to affirm our kinship.
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2019/03/lumad-moro-and-settlers-affirm-their-kinship-as-primary-basis-for-peace/
REMEMBERING THE VIOLENCE AND HORROR OF THE MARCOS DICTATORIAL RULE
I participated in a gathering of survivors of armed conflict and human rights violations. Most of us were overcomers of Martial Law under the brutal Marcos dictatorial regime. We came out determined to integrate the emotions involved in a kind of damage to the mind that occurs as a result of overwhelming amount of stress. We are being healed from the past.
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2019/02/remembering-the-violence-and-horror-of-the-marcos-dictatorial-rule/
I PARTICIPATED IN THE ‘GLOBAL CONFERENCE OF HUMAN FRATERNITY’ IN ABU DHABI
Last 03-05 February 2019, I attended the Global Conference of Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi by the invitation of Dr. Sultan Al Rumaithi, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Elders. A historic document, Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, was signed by both His Holiness Pope Francis (Pope of the Catholic Church) and His Eminence Dr. Ahmer El-Tayeb (Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif) during this conference.
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2019/02/i-participated-in-the-global-conference-of-human-fraternity-in-abu-dhabi/
JOJI SERVES AS PLENARY SPEAKER AT THE 2019 LEARNING CONFERENCE
Last 15 January 2019, Joji served as plenary speaker at the Learning Conference 2019 which was held at the Mary Hill Retreat Center, Taytay, Rizal. This conference was organized by the Asian School of Development and Cross-Cultural Studies (ASDECS) in partnership with Kabalikat Para sa Maunlad na Buhay, Inc. The conference theme was “Conspiracy of the Wise Builders” — it’s about building sustainable, regenerating, and transformational communities.
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2019/01/joji-serves-as-plenary-speaker-at-the-2019-learning-conference/
MAY THE CHARACTER OF THE PRINCE OF PEACE BRING HOPE THIS CHRISTMAS 2018
Christmas may not be merry among most Filipino families. These children sleeping on street islands reflect the suffering of most Filipinos because of soaring prices and a weakening economy — the result of greed-oriented policies and corrupt system of governance. But we still shout, with much conviction, that in the midst of these painful realities, God is with us. Immanu El! The Creator chose to visit us as a human being. The Eternal One chose to dwell with us as a mortal. This is Hope Incarnate!
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2018/12/may-the-character-of-the-prince-of-peace-bring-hope-this-christmas-2018/
RESPONDING TO EO 70 WITH OUR IMAGINATION OF ‘INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE PEACE’
Executive Order 70 will surely affect our active, nonviolent field operations as Peace and Reconciliation (PAR) workers. EO 70 uses novel terminologies such as ‘whole-of-nation approach,’ ‘inclusive and sustainable peace,’ ‘end local armed conflict,’ and ‘national peace framework.’ And yet Martial Law in Mindanao continues. How do we proceed with our work in the context of an increasingly militarizing PAR mission field?
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2018/12/responding-to-eo-70-with-our-imagination-of-inclusive-and-sustainable-peace/
LISTENING IS THE FIRST ACT OF LOVING, AND BUILDING PEACE WITH, OUR NEIGHBORS
Love necessarily involves listening. Listening is the first act of love. We listen because we love and worship a Creator-God who listens. We listen because it is the initial action we need to demonstrate as we seek to love, and to build peace with, our neighbors.
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2018/12/listening-is-the-first-act-of-loving-and-building-peace-with-our-neighbors/
ECONOMIC-ECOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION AND BIOSPHERE CONSCIOUSNESS
Economic-ecological transformation is the process of profound and radical change that orients our means of livelihood and our management of creation in a new direction — towards biosphere consciousness. And this consciousness needs to be guided and be energized by the values of the Rule of the Great Creator — like spiritually-rooted hope, justice-based liberation, patient activism, and unconditional love.
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2018/11/economic-ecological-transformation-and-biosphere-consciousness/
MARAWI: LIBERATION THAT TURNED OUT TO BE AN OCCUPATION
“October 17, 2017 was supposed to be liberation but it turned out to be liberation for another occupation. Occupation in the sense that people are continuously demanding for safe and dignified return. Occupation in the sense that rehabilitation’s framework is not IDP-centered. Occupation in the sense that rehab start is continuously being postponed. Occupation in the sense that military is occupying the ground zero and there is ongoing construction of a military garrison.” ~ Dr. Tirmizy Abdullah, Professor of History, Mindanao State University, Marawi City.
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2018/10/marawi-liberation-that-turned-out-to-be-an-occupation/
BRIDGE-BUILDING IN A DIVIDED, MILITARIZED SOCIETY: THE WAY OF JESUS
As a body of Jesus’ followers, PeaceBuilders Community seeks to constantly sound the Gong of Harmony to call peace-loving people to help build bridges between conflicting parties in this land. Our desire is to demonstrate peace-and-reconciliation principles and practices as embodied in our community.
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2018/10/bridge-building-in-a-divided-militarized-society-the-way-of-jesus/
PAR IS PEACE & RECONCILIATION
PAR IS PEACE THEOLOGY
PAR IS A SET OF DREAMS
PAR VOLUNTEERS ARE MISSIONARIES
PAR IS GOVERNED BY A CODE OF ETHICS
PAR IS INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT
PAR REGENERATES SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS
PAR CONTRIBUTES TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
THE NEXT GENERATION OF PAR LEADERS ARE BEING PREPARED
PAR COMMUNITIES ARE MULTIPLYING
