Lakan Sumulong

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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Author's posts

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.

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2018/10/bridge-building-in-a-divided-militarized-society-the-way-of-jesus/

I WAS INVITED BY IID TO JOIN A SEGMENT OF A COMMUNITY-BASED PEACE PROCESS

The indigenous peacebuilding approaches of the Aromanen Ne Menuvu and the Maguindanawon first nations enriched my life and insights as a peace worker. I saw in these peacebuilding events what John Paul Lederach describes as “innovative approaches to create a time and a place to address, to integrate, and to embrace the painful past and the necessary shared future as a means of dealing with the present.”

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2018/09/i-was-invited-by-iid-to-join-a-community-based-peacebuilding/

OUR PAR INTERNS LEARN INCLUSIVE & REGENERATIVE DEVELOPMENT

We train potential business entrepreneurs for the cause of peace and reconciliation. Our interns combine commerce and social issues in a way that improves the lives of people connected to our ministry of reconciliation. We measure the social entrepreneurs’ success not in terms of profit alone. Our social entrepreneurial interns measure success in terms of people, peace, progress, partnership, and planet.

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2018/08/our-par-interns-learn-inclusive-and-regenerative-development/

SOME NOTES ON MY CURRENT UNDERSTANDING OF FEDERALISM

There have been so much discussions and debate about the planned federalization of the Philippines. Here are my current study notes as I inform myself about this direction where our government is leading our people.

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2018/07/some-notes-on-my-current-understanding-of-federalism/

IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE PALESTINIANS, PRAYING FOR THE PEACE OF BOTH JEWS AND PALESTINIANS

This is where I part ways, theologically and ethically, with many of my Christian Zionist friends, many of them happen to be my ministry colleagues in the evangelical community. Standing up with the Palestinians. This is also a proper time to reaffirm my solidarity with my Palestinian sisters and brothers in Christ who are suffering under the …

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2018/05/i-stand-in-solidarity-with-the-palestinians-i-pray-for-the-peace-of-both-jews-and-palestinians/

PEACE AND RECONCILIATION: BEYOND THE IMAGES OF KIM AND MOON AT THE INTER-KOREA SUMMIT

We’re very happy that North and South Korea are about to begin their unification process! We applaud the persistent effort of the South Korean government to make this inter-Korean summit a successful event. “Since his inauguration in May 2017,” a Hankyoreh editorial stated, “Moon has continually made overtures of peace to the North.” We are also excited …

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2018/04/peace-and-reconciliation-beyond-the-images-of-kim-and-moon-at-the-inter-korea-summit/

WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH OUR PARTNERS IN THE FIELD AS THEY SUFFER UNDER MARTIAL LAW

Many of our partners from among the Indigenous Peoples (IP) in the field are struggling to keep their ancestral lands from the encroachment of big, powerful corporations. The corporations are mostly supported by the government. Our IP partners are now crying against abuses and human rights violations by both state and non-state armed groups. Our …

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2018/02/we-stand-in-solidarity-with-our-partners-in-the-field-as-they-suffer-under-martial-law/

PRACTICING COMPASSION WHILE CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS 2017 IN MINDANAO

How do we celebrate Christmas in the midst of human sufferings around us? We’re just recovering from Marawi War where more than a thousand died and more than a million people were displaced. Then Tropical Storm Vinta devastated us in the past few days with floods and landslides leaving 200+ dead. The humble home of one of the families …

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2017/12/practicing-compassion-while-celebrating-christmas-2017-in-mindanao/

PBCI CORDILLERA FACILITATES THE CONVERGENCE OF COFFEE FARMERS AROUND TABUK CITY

Mr. Jeffrey Pasikan, Trade and Industry Development Specialist at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Cordillera Administrative Region, invited PeaceBuilders Community—Cordillera to help in the organizational strengthening and team-building for selected farmers’ associations around Tabuk City. The initial sessions were held last 20-23 October 2017. Prof. Malou Alngag, who belongs to an indigenous …

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2017/10/pbci-cordillera-facilitates-the-convergence-of-coffee-farmers-around-tabuk-city/

PBCI RENEWS OUR TIES WITH CENTRAL MINDANAO THROUGH SIHAYA’S NEW ASSIGNMENT

The PBCI leadership introduced our field staff, Sihaya Ansibod, to various communities in Central Mindanao with whom we have been working as peace and reconciliation partners. Sihaya was warmly welcomed as a second-generation field worker of PeaceBuilders Community – Central Mindanao. She recently completed a two-year leadership program from our PeaceBuilders School of Leadership. She’s …

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2017/09/pbci-renews-our-ties-with-central-mindanao-through-sihayas-new-assignment/

PBCI FIELD STAFF PARTICIPATES IN AN INTER-RELIGIOUS LEARNING CONFERENCE

It was great to have a chance chatting one-on-one with Pastor James Wuye. The story of Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye was told in a movie The Imam and the Pastor, which is widely used in Christian-Muslim inter-faith dialogue. I’m so grateful for Clay, June, and Sihaya — our regional team leaders in advancing Peace and Reconciliation …

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2017/08/pbci-field-staff-participates-in-an-inter-religious-learning-conference/

PBCI CONSULTANTS GO FOR MINDANAO PEACE LEARNING TOUR

16-20 May 2017. Three Manila-based consultants of PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI) went on a five-day peace learning tour from Maguindanao, through North Cotabato and Davao del Sur, to Bukidnon. The tour participants included Landscape Architect AJ Moldez, Principal at AJM Designs; Dr. Aldrin Penamora, Manager at PCEC Centre for Christian-Muslim Dialogue; and, Joseph ‘Boyet’ Ongkiko, …

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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2017/05/pbci-consultants-go-for-mindanao-peace-learning-tour/

OUR GLOBAL PEACE COMMUNITY

We are sent by Mennonite Church Canada Witness in partnership with our international community.