We are led by trusted women and men who are motivated by love and joy to help transform our land and peoples towards justice and peace.
DR. JINKY BAUTISTA-BORNALES, Member
docjinky@peacebuilderscommunity.org
Doc Jinky has been working with us as a partner in inclusive development for the past several years, specifically in exploring with the Talaandig People a path towards authentic, indigenous social entrepreneurial initiatives. Dr. Bornales is a theoretical physicist, social innovator, gender equality advocate, and an artist. She’s the former Vice Chancellor of Research and Extension of the Mindanao State University — Iligan Institute of Technology. Her scientific expertise and social insights would be invaluable to us as we continue our journey to help build a more just and peaceful Mindanao and Philippines.
Asked how PBCI would grow into a community of innovation, research, and extension in Mindanao: “PBCI can grow into a community of innovation, research, and extension by grounding its work in long-term, trust-based partnerships with indigenous communities, where knowledge is co-created rather than extracted. By nurturing indigenous social enterprises and anchoring all efforts in justice, equity, and peace, PBCI can become a living model of inclusive and transformative development in Mindanao.”
PROF. MARILOU DINACAS ALNGAG, Member
malou@peacebuilderscommunity.org
Malou brings a healthy mix of traditional indigenous wisdom and modern scientific knowledge in this Peace and Reconciliation (PAR) movement. Her educational training — Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication and Master of Arts in Public Administration — prepared her well for this movement. Her PAR dreams and energies are mostly channeled through her work as Associate Professor of Public Administration at the Kalinga State University in Tabuk City.
Asked about the impact of PAR principles in her life and work: “The concepts of peace and harmony being taught by PeaceBuilders Community gave me a deeper understanding of my own basic relationships—with the Creator, with my being, with others, and with the creation. These notions of peace and harmony made a positive impact in my personal life, my family, and even in my academic profession.”
MS. TALA ALNGAG BAUTISTA, Member
tala@peacebuilderscommunity.org
Tala is the Pilipino term for ‘star.’ She is a proud member of the Kalinga First Nation and celebrates the fact that she belongs to the Indigenous People (IP). She’s a graduate of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. In 2020, Tala completed her Master of Arts degree in Conflict Transformation at the Eastern Mennonite University—Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, Harrisonburg, Virginia. Tala served as the Chief Operating Officer at PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. and was also the Senior Vice President at Coffee for Peace, Inc.
Asked about her passion as an IP missionary: “I believe in the wealth of the indigenous knowledge. I dream of IPs rejoicing in their cultural heritage without shame and freely sharing the indigenous knowledge with the mainstream — the business world, academe, media, etc. The encouraging thing is, there are already steps done to uphold the IPs. We can build on them.”
MS. QUEENIE M. LIWAT, Secretary
queenie@peacebuilderscommunity.org
Queenie is the Training Program Officer at the Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute (MPI). Her responsibilities include supporting the institute’s regional mission of equipping peacebuilders through training, research, and cross-cultural learning engagements. MPI is a well-established Asian training institute that gathers practitioners from across the Asia-Pacific. As a young woman, she became actively engaged in grassroots peace work after undergoing Peace and Reconciliation (PAR) training with PeaceBuilders Community, Inc., where she served as a volunteer facilitator in conflict transformation workshops across rural and indigenous communities.
Asked how her career with MPI and her leadership at PBCI contribute to the harmonization of justice-based peacebuilding movement in the Philippines: “My work with MPI weaves peace theory and practice through education and training across Asia and the Pacific, bridging justice frameworks with local realities to build a cohesive, culturally sensitive movement grounded in systemic equity. At PBCI, these ideas are operationalized through inclusive development and social enterprise, aligning grassroots action with educational influence to address both structural and personal dimensions of conflict while honoring the cultural integrity of the Bangsamoro, Indigenous peoples, and diverse communities of faith.”
REV. NORMAN NAROMAL, Treasurer
norman@peacebuilderscommunity.org
Pastor Norman has been with us since the beginning of PeaceBuilders Community, serving as our spiritual adviser. He earned a masters degree in Pastoral Leadership (with honours) from the Asian Theological Seminary in Quezon City. In 2010, Norman was invited to visit Canada to participate in the International Mennonite Pastors Coming Together (IMPaCT 2010). There, he was immersed in Peace Theology, saw its impact in the Canadian society, and started asking what it means to be a follower of the Prince of Peace in a conflicted land like the Philippines.
Asked about the impact of PBCI to him as a pastor in Mindanao: “God has used this community to introduce me and to help me understand better and clearer God’s work of justice and peace building through non-violent means. God has also used this community to deal with my prejudices, discrimination and my religious and cultural animosity towards the Muslims and other tribal groups, and to transform them into attitudes of compassion, respect and friendship.”
REV. LUIS DANIEL ALBA PANTOJA
aka Datu Pugawang
Founder, Former President & CEO
lakan@peacebuilderscommunity.org
The “Rev.” before Dann’s name refers more to his being a “revolutionary” than being a “reverend.” Datu Pugawang is his indigenous name given by the Bagobo Tagabawa tribal council in Binaton, at the foothills of Mount Apo. Pugawang seeks to submit his creativity to the creativity of the CREATOR; to continually experience both the transcendent and the immanent salaam of the CHRIST; to be consistently energized by the ultimate energy of the COMFORTER. He loves the beauty of God’s creation; he’s curious and amazed by the human imagination and creativity.
Asked how he looks at his current journey as a peaceweaving mentor: “My current spiritual journey has led me to commit my energies to help in the transformational development of the people of the Philippines based on a Peace Theology. Submitting to the Creator’s sovereignty and motivated by the love of Jesus Christ, I envision to contribute to the salaam between various people groups representing different cultures and ideologies in this beautiful land.”
EMIL JONATHAN L. SORIANO, Chairman of the Board
emiljon@peacebuilderscommunity.org
Pastor Jon is passionate and highly motivated educator with demonstrated track record fostering student learning. He is the Theology Network and Engagement (TNE) Manager and focal lead for Reconciled and Peaceful Societies (RPS) in the Asian Region for Tearfund. He possesses good people skills and good facilitation skills. Jon is a member of the Justice, Peace, and Reconciliation Commission (JPaRCom) of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC). He’s a freelance facilitator and trainer for Micah Global Philippines and Christian Convergence for Good Governance (CCGG). As a Fellow in Theology at the Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture (ISACC), he contributes Peace Theology to the biblical-theological conversation in the country.
Asked how his evangelical leadership would contribute to peacebuilding: “To plant seeds of shalom in my children, my church community and among fellow pastors and leaders. To create faith communities that embodies shalom in their spheres of influence. Develop new theologies that are organic and growing out of its local context. To create an alternative learning way of life and re-imagining theological education, a departure from our theological institutions.”
