Peace Caravan and Peace March

The Peacemakers' Circle Foundation, Inc.

in partnership with

IN SEARCH FOR PEACE IN MINDANAO:

ENGAGING THE MORAL IMAGINATION IN COMMUNITY DIALOGUE AND RELATIONSHIP- BUILDING

(A Leaders' Dialogue Workshop-Forum).

Hotel Rembrandt Ballroom, Quezon City
October 23, 2008

In the light of the ongoing hostilities in Mindanao, we have partnered with the Sowing Peace fro Mindanao network and, with the support of the U.S. Embassy and the Mindanao Peoples' Caucus, we are organizing a dialogue workshop-forum for leaders of various sectors in Metro Manila. Our aim is to find ways of creatively working together to help address the raging conflict in Mindanao and build mutually respectful and harmonious relationships among its people.

A select group of 100 leaders from various sectors of society are being invited. We would be honored if you could join and help us find ways of sowing peace for Mindanao.

Space is limited so please contact Sarah or Orlan at 920-7622 to confirm your attendance.

Sowing Peace Convening Organizations:

Balay Rehabilitation Center, The Peacemakers’ Circle Foundation, Inc (PCFI), Binhi ng Kapayapaan, Inc., Mindanao Solidarity Network (MSN), Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute (GZOPI), Anak Mindanao (AMIN), Pinay…Kilos (PINK), Moro Human Rights Council (MHRC), Center for Peace Education - Miriam College, Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), Interfaith Center for a Culture of Nonviolence (ICCN), Social Action Office-College of St. Benilde

For more info contact: PCFI (920-7622 / 0918-7822805); Binhi (0926-6401941); Balay (921-6301) -- www.sowingpeace.multiply.com

SOWING PEACE CARAVAN & INTERFAITH EIDL FITR CELEBRATION

Peace Caravan and Peace March
October 2 (Thursday) – day after Eidl Fitr &
World Nonviolence Day

8:00 am – Assembly at Miriam College (college parking lot), Katipunan Rd., QC
8:30 am – Peace Caravan to Taguig City
9:30 am – Peace March from St. Joseph Parish to Blue Mosque, Maharlika Village (10-15 min walk)
10:00 am – Interfaith Prayers and Planting of “Tree of Peace” followed by a Cultural Program
11:00 am – Solidarity Feast of Eidl Fitr (end of Ramadhan)

Please wear white; bring any white flower, drinks & vegetarian food to share, bell/chime/drum or any musical instrument.

Come one, Come all!! Bring your friends, organizations and families.

Let us make our voices louder. Let us flood the streets of Metro Manila with our call:
STOP THE WAR IN MINDANAO!
LAY DOWN THE GUNS!
GIVE PEACE A CHANCE!

For more info contact: PCFI (920-7622 / 0918-7822805); Binhi (0926-6401941); Balay (921-6301) -- www.sowingpeace.multiply.com














An historic event took place in Metro Manila on Thursday October 2, 2008. About 30 motorcyclists and 12 vehicles carrying colored flaglets and banners of the Sowing Peace for Mindanao network drove through the streets in a Peace Caravan that called for a more intensified campaign for awareness and solidarity for the growing number of people affected by the conflict in Mindanao. Escorted by MMDA mobile traffic enforcers and several media crew, the convoy—composed of members representing the different peace organizations, religious communities and interfaith groups had earlier assembled at the Miriam College parking lot in Quezon City, and traveled all the way to Maharlika Village in Taguig City.

Awaiting them at St. Joseph Catholic Church was a contingent of about a hundred parishioners from the community led by their parish priest, Fr. Victor Virtudazo. Joining together in a Peace March the two groups filled the streets to the beat of a local drum-and-lyre marching band, interspersed with drumming and harmonium music (provided by the ISKCON) while everyone chanted, “Peace in Mindanao… Now!”-- as they made their way to the Blue Mosque.

Here they were welcomed by the Muslim community led by young boys and girls who received the white flowers offered to them by their Christian neighbors and the visiting interfaith community.

Beside the mosque, everyone gathered under the sun in a circle where the interfaith manifesto for peace was read aloud and interfaith prayers for peace were offered by leaders and representatives from the Muslim, Catholic, Protestant, Indigenous, Hare Krishna and Hindu faiths. Concluding the ceremony was the planting of a “Tree of Peace” at the center of the circle around which each faith representative put a peg to fence the seedling —symbolizing the concerted effort of protection and continuous nurture that peace would require from each of the stakeholders.

Right after, a celebratory cultural program was held in a tent area nearby where everyone enjoyed musical entertainment from the Muslim community and listened to the solidarity messages and Eidl Fitr greetings from the different participating groups.

Also held there was a symbolic offering of food from the Christian and interfaith community which was received by the Muslims led by their respected leader, Sultan Pangandaman.

A simple but harmonious feast was shared as a general feeling of hope filled the air and the promise for peace had been planted in each one’s heart through this fresh, new kind of interfaith Eid celebration that has been started.

On behalf of the conveners of Sowing Peace for Mindanao network (Binhi ng Kapayapaan, Inc., GZO Peace Institute, Anak Mindanao, Pinay...Kilos!, Center for Peace Education - Miriam College, The Peacemakers’ Circle Foundation, Inc., Balay Rehabilitation Center, Mindanao Solidarity Network, Interfaith Center for a Culture of Nonviolence), we heartily thank all groups and individuals who have participated and contributed to the success of the event: Aksyon para sa Kapayapaan at Katarungan (AKKAPKA), Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), Motorcyclists Assoc. of the Phils., International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), SangHabi, Inc., KaliPiMu Inner Dance group, Environmental Broadcast Circle-PeaceComm., Third World Movement Against the Exploitation of Women, St. Joseph Parish,

Check out news videos on this event from the web:
http://www.gmanews.tv/video/29475/
http://www.gmanews.tv/largevideo/latest/29457/QTV-Christians-Muslims-join-peace-caravan-in-Taguig

Also see small feature / photos on Oct.3/08 newspapers: Phil. Daily Inquirer, The Phil. Star, and Tribune

FAITHS IN HARMONY SOWING PEACE THROUGH PRAYERS, LIGHTS AND SOUNDS (International Day of Peace 2008 – Manila)

The Peacemakers’ Circle Foundation, Inc. (PCFI) and the United Religions Initiative Southeast Asia & the Pacific (URI-SEAP) Regional Office joined forces with the Sowing Peace for Mindanao network in organizing a back-to-back peace event in Quezon City, Metro Manila on Saturday September 20, 2008, eve of the UN International Day of Peace.

Just before sunset a motley crowd of more than a hundred people lined the sidewalk along Katipunan Avenue-- in front of Miriam College-- to make a stand for peace and call for the cessation of violence in Mindanao. They were students, teachers, artists, lay and religious, members of the interfaith community, NGOs, and employees who took time from their busy schedule to gather together in order to make their voices heard. In solidarity, they wore white, and brought flowers, musical instruments and food to share.

Interfaith prayers were said amid the din of the careening traffic. But the energy around the circle was high. A fellowship Iftar (breaking of the fast) was offered in solidarity with the Muslims with everyone sharing the potluck food.

Torches were lit for the peace walk that followed with all marching to the beat of the drums, ringing of chimes and gongs and voices raised in a chorus of chanting - “Stop the war in Mindanao! Give peace a chance!” The traffic on the street kept going but it was heartwarming that many cars stopped and blew their horns in support.

Around 7:00 o’clock in the evening the crowd proceeded to the Environmental Studies Institute inside the Miriam College campus for the FAITHS IN HARMONY, SYMPHONIES OF PEACE, an interfaith concert. Hosted by Ms. Marites Africa of PCFI, the musical celebration offered an array of creative peace presentations – meditation, chanting, songs, dances and prayers-- from the various spiritual groups and partner organizations.

The program was opened by Dr. Shakun Vaswani (URI SEAP regional coordinator) who welcomed everyone to the familiar hall that gets to be annually decorated with the colors of diversity through the flags of various faith symbols and the UN flags of the different countries in the world. Meditation & silencing was led by Mr. John Dowling of Brahma Kumaris. This was followed by an opening dance of peace & blessing offered by the KaliPiMu Innerdance group with musical accompaniment provided by SangHabi, Inc.

An inspirational peace song was rendered by Ms. Mirma Tica of Pax Christi – Miriam College, while chanting and peace prayers were heard from Mrs. Tomomi Shima and members of Shinji Shumei Kai (Japanese spiritual organization) ; Babaji Surinder Singh Ragi of Guru Nanak Mission (Sikh); and Mahraj Prem Shanker Pandey of the Hindu Temple-Manila.

The Self-Realization Fellowship (Paramahansa Yogananda-founded group) presented a song and engaged everyone in a healing action prayer.

Other body movement arts were demonstrated by Step Universe – International (Indonesian energy exercise); the Byakko Shinko Kai –Phils. (with their Divinity-In body prayer); and T’ai Chi master Mr. Ed Sevilla.

A loose-group of interfaith performers called Higher Chakra, led by Ramesh Balgos, offered a musical poetry reading number.

Some of the more modern numbers include a Samba dance from PCFI’s Ms. Judy Banu and partner; and peace songs from an all-female rock group, Velvet band —led by Ms. Tet Gallardo, who represented the Unitarian Universalist Community – Manila.

But definitely the crowd’s favorite was the most joyful and entertaining presentation from the cute and adorable pre-school pupils of the Creative Space Center for Integrative Learning for Children who performed a song and dance number entitled: “Mapayapang Mundo” (peaceful world).

Mr. Mario “Toots” Fungo of the World Peace Prayer Society-Phils. read the United Nations’ official message for IDP ’08 and led the peace prayer for each country by distributing flag-cards of the different nations.

During the program, an intensified campaign for A Million Signatures for Yes! We Unite in Sowing Peace for Mindanao was launched.

The evening was capped off with the ever-lively music and chanting by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON/Hare Krishna) that led to community jamming as everyone pushed their seats to the side and, hand-in-hand, formed a big dance circle across the hall.

It was a wonderful sight to behold as people from different faiths and cultures sang, chanted and danced together in joyful harmony and celebration as we continue to demonstrate solidarity in sowing peace in the country and the whole world!

Once again, a million thanks to all the participants, performers, volunteers and supporters, and all those who attended the event!

Here are more snapshots...

Our emcee Ms. Marites Africa

Ms. Judy Banu & Mr. Allan Figueroa dance the Samba

graceful Lisette of Inner Dance

Babaji of Guru Nanak Mission

Ramesh Balgos of Step Universe demonstrates the Indonesian energy exercise

Mr. Ed Sevilla gave an instructional demo of T'ai Chi

Byakko - Phils. members performed the Divinity-In prayer movement

Mahraj Prem Shanker Pandey of the Hindu Temple - Manila

Poetry readers of Higher Chakra

Finale jam with the Hare Krishna - ISKCON

more photos taken by Mr. Bob Guerrero can be viewed here:

http://bhobg.multiply.com/photos/album/47/Concert_for_Peace_Sept_20_

Gatherings for Peace in Mindanao held

Just to share with you two events that were organized in response to the situation in Mindanao:

1) August 15 (Friday) 5:30-7pm -- Sharing Light for Mindanao - following suggestions & ideas raised during the regular Tuesday Inner Work Circle where special time was offered for prayers for peace in Mindanao-- The Peacemakers' Circle (PCFI) partnered with Binhi ng Kapayapaan, Inc. to quickly organize this meeting which aimed to generate initial discussions about the current happenings in Mindanao to raise awareness from and among concerned individuals in Manila; and to pray and send positive energy to neutralize the fear & anger being sown all around. 14 people gathered at the Hope Center which hosted the meeting. The small group had an intimate sharing of concerns, updates and prayers for the seemingly-distant region of Mindanao. It was decided that another meeting be held to continue the campaign to raise awareness on the Mindanao situation.

2) August 21 (Wednesday) 4:30-7pm -- Conversations on the Mindanao situation - PCFI friends and co-workers in peacebuilding gathered for an informal meeting at the PhilDHRRA conference room in Loyola Heights for further discussions and updates on the situation. About 25 people from various organizations (Mindanao People's Caucus, Binhi ng Kapayapaan,Inc. , GZO Peace Inst., Arellano University, Inst. of Spirituality in Asia, Balay Center, FilMus youth, and the Muslim-Christian Dialogue Program) attended. There were even some members of Salam Marines from Quiapo who were brought along by Muslim friends.

The intimate and informal atmosphere provided a safe space for those who were deeply involved in the work to express their emotions and sentiments as they related updates and some of their opinions. To some extent, some light were shed on the situation which seemed to be much more complicated. It was reported that fear and anger in the hearts of people and leaders (both political and religious) are causing more polarization and division.

There was a general feeling of urgency that concerned groups and inidviduals in Manila should create consolidated efforts to campaign in support for Mindanao.

A follow-up planning meeting to come up with consolidated activities (such as prayer marches/ candle-lighting vigils, fasting campaigns, position statements/letters, relief collection, programs) will be held on Tuesday - August 26 at 5:30pm, tentatively at the Balay Rehabilitation Center in Teachers' Village, QC.

Everybody is enjoined to support this urgent call for peace in Mindanao -- however distant we may be. Please let us know if you wish to join us.More updates to follow...

Peacemakers' Circle given recognition by Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University - Philippines (June 26)

On June 26, the 8th Birthday of URI, the Peacemakers Circle CC was honored as an Exemplar of Transformation. This recognition was as made last Thursday, by the Brahma Kumaris Center in Manila during their "The Circle of Life" Program at On Stage, Greenbelt, Makati City in front of over 300 people gathered there for the program. This recognition is for “ their tireless commitment to interfaith dialogue and fulfilling their global vision of unity among diverse religions and cultures that has inspired countless individuals, communities and the youth in building a culture of peace, harmony and cooperation”. A short presentation on the Peacemakers’ Circle was shown during the program. We are humbled by this honor as we carry on our efforts to make real the vision of URI in the country and region.

- Peacemakers' Circle team attends URI Moral Imagination training session in Africa ( June 21 - July 3)

Interfaith Thanksgiving Prayers for the release of abducted peace advocate & media crew (June 18, 2008)