Youth-led World Peace Day celebration in Manila

On September 21, 2009 Manila joined the rest of the world in celebrating the International Day of Peace. The celebration this year was extra special because it was organized and led by the youth!

The Peacemakers Circle Foundation, Inc. (PCFI) and the United Religions Initiative SEAP Regional Office partnered with lead convening organization, Generation Peace (GenPeace) youth network and its Peace NGO partners, student organizations, the staff of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, and the World March for Peace and Nonviolence, in coming up with a program held at the Peace Bell area of the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.

As everyone gathered in a human peace sign the members of the Youth for Unity (Y4U) of the Peacemakers Circle led the interfaith prayers that set the mood for a contemplative celebration of peace. They also prepared copies of a mini brochure on the Ways of Peace for inner peace, harmony with others, and the healing of the earth that were given away during the event.

Peace Mosaic by Muslim and Christian Youth
Youth from the four communities under the PCFI Muslim-Christian Dialogue program -- Tala, Culiat, Quiapo, and Taguig-- painted peace tiles that were installed on the Peace Wall at the Quezon City Memorial Circle. The wall was installed by the GZO Peace Institute GenPeace and the Quezon City government to feature peace messages and symbols by youth all over the Philippines affected by conflict and/ or promoting peace.

Sacred Space, Sacred Circles, Sacred Music
Hosting a sacred space for meditation and reflection as a booth served as a refreshing way for visitors to learn about different faiths as they view the different faith symbols hung around with a giant mandala for peace intentions available for everyone to write on.

During the day, youths from Y4U, Integral Art Metta, Inc. (IAM), and Binhi ng Kapayapaan, Inc. ("seeds of peace") collaborated in creating a stone and tile labyrinth beside the stage for everyone to walk with the intention of seeking inner peace.

PCFI partner SangHabi, provided indigenous music and engaged people in a dance around the area towards the peace wall for the unveiling of the mosaics.

Throughout the program, solidarity messages and cultural presentations by children and youths enlivened the celebration. Another highlight was a video presentation prepared by GenPeace which featured stories of struggle and peace work by youths from different conflict-affected areas in the country (especially Mindanao).

Overall, the event was a huge success with more than 200 participants in attendance. We look forward to more and more youth involvement in celebrating World Peace Day in the coming years!

See more photos here at uriseap.ning.com or here at youth4unity.multiply.com

May Peace Prevail on Earth!

Kapayapaan Nawa'y Manaig sa Daigdig!

PCFI leads interfaith prayers @ OPAPP launch for Peace Month

On September 1, 2009 (Tuesday) The Peacemakers' Circle facilitated the multifaith prayers that started the program launching the Peace Consciousness Month 2009 organized by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), held at the Peace Bell area of the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.

Among the faith representatives were Sanghabi (indigenous call to prayer), Fr. Jose Souza, SJ (Catholic prayer), Alan Berguia (Muslim prayer), Shakuntala Vaswani (Hindu prayer), Raymond Cosare (Tibetan Buddhist prayer), and Tomomi Shima (Shumei prayer).

OPAPP has been organizing this program every year on the first of September for the past 5 years since the signing of the Presidential Decree declaring September as the Peace consciousness month in the Philippines.

For more photos click here

Y4U Interfaith Encounter with German Youths of the Archdiocese of Hamburg

On August 22nd (Saturday) about 25 German youths and representatives from the Archdiocese of Hamburg-- along with their Filipino hosts from the Federation of Asian Bishops Conference (FABC) youth desk-- visited The Peacemakers' Circle (PCFI) office and had an interfaith encounter with 11 members of the Y4U (Youth for Unity) circle.

Starting off with interfaith prayers from representatives of different faiths, the session began with PCFI vice president and URI-SEAP regional coordinator, Shakun Vaswani, welcoming the young visitors to the intimate space and giving an introduction to PCFI and URI interfaith peacebuilding work. The PCFI documentary DVD was then shown to give them further orientation and exposure to the work of interfaith cooperation and relationship building in the local grassroots communities.

Y4U members Sharon, Trishna, and Rishi (Hindus), along with Lea (Catholic), Kenta (Shumei), Orlan (Indigenous/Folk Spirituality), Alan, Alih, Norodin and Salma (Muslims) then facilitated the interaction and small group discussions among the youths as they shared on their insights and impressions from the video they saw. The lively conversations and sharing between the all-Catholic German visitors and the interfaith local youths went on throughout the warm afternoon as they compared situations of peace and interfaith relations in their respective locations.

View more photos here

Peacemakers participate in Mindanao Peoples' Peace Agenda consultation meeting

On August 20th (Thursday) the Mindanao Solidarity Network (MSN) & the Mindanao Peaceweavers network conducted a consultation meeting among Metro Manila-based peace advocates at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani monument. Around 40 representatives from different NGO's, academe, and community organizations participated. Among these groups are: GZO Peace Institute (MSN Secretariat), Generation Peace Youth Network, Balay Rehabilitation Center, Binhi ng Kapayapaan, Inc., Miriam College Center for Peace Education, Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), Pax Christi, Pilipinong Taguri ng Kadakilaan (PITAK), Koalisyon ng mga Katutubong Samahan ng Pilipinas (KASAPI), Phil. Center for Islam & Democracy, Anak Mindanao Network (AMIN), Asia America Initiatives (AAI), and many others.

The Peacemakers' Circle were among the groups that brought a large contingent of participants -- bringing to the event representatives from its four Muslim-Christian grassroots communities of Tala (Caloocan City), Culiat (Quezon City), Quiapo (Manila), and Maharlika (Taguig City).

View more photos here.

Peacemakers Circle Launches Visits to Sacred Sites and Festival Celebrations for Peace month

The Peacemakers Circle is hosting a series of visits and faith observances together with partner religious organizations and groups leading up to September 21 as part of its cause to promote peace through interfaith dialogue and understanding.

To launch this project, members celebrated Krishna Janmashtami with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) last Friday, August 14.

Janmashtami is the feast of the Birth of Sri Krishna, one of the most famous Gods of Hindu religion.

A group from the Peacemakers’ Circle composed of Christians, Muslims, and Multi-Faith practitioners joined the International Society of Krishna Consciousness or ISKCON at Bunyo st, Makati in celebrating Janmashtami last April 14. ISKCON is part of the Vaisnava Hindu sect that is devoted to Bhakti or devotional yoga to Krishna.

Legend has it that Sri Krishna was born over 5,227 years ago on a dark, stormy and windy night to end the rule and end atrocities of his maternal uncle, Kansa. Bhagwan Krishna was born on the eighth day (Ashtami) in the month of Sravana or Savana (August-September according to the Christian Calendar). Krishna’s story is depicted in the Srimad Bhagavatam and the well – loved Bhagavad Gita, one of the books from the epic Mahabharata.

Janmashthami celebrations are conducted during a 48 - hour period and includes fasting, singing of the glories of Krishna, reading from the Srimad Bhagvatam, and a staging of dramas and dances depicting the life and pastimes of Krishna..

During the ceremonies, the Krishna deity is bathed with Panchamrit (a mixture of milk, ghee, oil, honey and Gangajal) several times during the day. The Panchamrit is later distributed as Prasad to the devotees along with other sweets.

The celebration reaches its peak at midnight, with the birth of Lord Krishna, with lots of hymns and aarti (light and candle offerings) taking place with the blowing of the Conch (shankh), and rocking the cradle of the Lord’s deity.

See more photos

*Contact the Peacemakers Circle for the schedules of visits to sacred sites and lectures of other religions or faith groups for the month of August and September through 920-7622 or email peacemakerscircle_ uri@yahoo. com

Program for the Month of Peace 2009

Calendar of Events

a. Aug. 14th (Fri), 7pm-1am – Interfaith Peace Pilgrimage (Sacred Site Visit) to Sri Radha Madhava Center (Makati City) of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)/Hare Krishna for the Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebration

b. Aug. 22nd (Sat), 2-5pm – Youth for Unity (Y4U) interfaith encounter with youths of the Archdiocese of Hamburg c/o the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences @The Peacemakers’ Circle Office

c. Aug. 29th (Sat) 6-8pm – Interfaith Peace Pilgrimage (Sacred Site Visit) to the Phil. Tibetan Nyingma Palyul Buddhist Center (700 Pinya Ave., Sta. Mesa, Manila) for the Hundred Deities Puja/Ceremony


d. Sept. 1st (Tue), 7am-12nn – Interfaith Prayers participation in the launching programOffice of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) @ Quezon Memorial Circle Peace Bell, QC

e. for the Peace-consciousness month of September by the Sept. 2nd (Wed), 5pm – Interfaith Peace Pilgrimage (Sacred Site Visit) to the Manila Sikh Gurudwara/temple (UN Ave., Paco, Manila)


f. Sept. 3rd (Thu), 7pm-9pm - participation in Brahma Kumaris talk on "The Silence of the Mind" by BK Jayanti @ Shangri-La Hotel, Makati City


g. Sept. 8th (Tue), 6:30pm-8pm – Interfaith Peace Pilgrimage (Sacred Site Visit) to Our Lady of Pentecost Catholic Parish (C. Salvador cor. F. Dela Rosa Sts., Varsity Hills, Loyola Heights, QC) for Feast of St. Mary


h. Sept. 15th (Tue), 9am-12nn – Talk on Freedom of Religion, Apostasy & Islam by Prof. Abdullah Saeed of Australia (in cooperation with the Australian Embassy) at Balay Kalinaw, University of the Philippines Diliman Campus, Quezon City.

i. Sept. 19th (Sat), 9am-9pm – Interfaith Prayers participation in DIWANG ILOG PASIG: DALOY, BUHAY AT PAG-IBIG spirituality & arts gathering for reviving Pasig River @ Makati Riverside Park, West Rembo c/o IAM, Inc. & partners

j. Sept. 21st (Mon), 9am-12nn – PEACE ONE DAY (International Day of Peace 2009) celebration with GZO Generation Peace youth network & peace partners @Quezon Memorial Circle, QC

k. Sept. 22nd (Tue), 6pm- 10pm – Interfaith Peace Pilgrimage (Sacred Site Visit) to the Hindu Temple (Paco, Manila) for Navratri Festival

l. Sept. 26th (Sat), 6pm - 27th (Sun), 7am – Interfaith Prayers participation in EARTH DANCE Global 2009 @ La Mesa Eco Park, Fairview, QC

Engaging the moral imagination in finding ways of transcending cycles of violence in Mindanao

An overview and report on the URI Moral Imagination and Peacebuilding initiatives in SEAPac by Marites Guingona-Africa

“How do we transcend the cycles of violence that bewitch our human community while still living in them?” This was the question that moved John Paul Lederach, one of the world’s foremost experts on conflict transformation and peacebuilding, to write the book Moral Imagination: Art and Soul of Building Peace. His many years of experience in the field taught him that "transcending violence is forged by the capacity to generate, mobilize, and build the moral imagination."

Lederach promotes the importance of cultivating our spiritual and creative capacity as a critical tool for effective peacebuilding in situations of conflict. He defined moral imagination as “the capacity to imagine something rooted in the challenges of the real world, yet capable of giving birth to that which does not yet exist."

In his book, Lederach shared thoughts and insights on the nature of how constructive social change works and what contributes to it. He saw that this has to do with the nature of imagination and the capacity to envision a canvas of human relationships. He qualified, however, that this imagination must emerge from and speak to the hard realities of human affairs.

In 2006, he and his colleague, Herm Weaver, were invited by Barbara Hartford of the United Religions Initiative (URI) to help develop URI’s capacity to engage the moral imagination in its global peacebuilding efforts. Pilot URI training teams of peacebuilders from India, Northern Uganda, Ethiopia, the United States, and the Philippines were formed and a two-year action-reflection training workshop program on the moral imagination was launched in December 2006 with the support of Libby Hoffman of the Catalyst Funds for Peace. The training successfully concluded in September 2008 and the members of the teams gained appreciation and capacities for developing the ability to see themselves in a web of relationships that "includes our enemies," for living in paradoxical curiosity that holds competing experiences of reality, for valuing creativity, and taking the risk of letting go of the known situation of conflict to step into the unknown of peace.

The Philippine team was composed of four members of The Peacemakers’ Circle (a vital URI Cooperation Circle based in Metro Manila), namely: Dr. Abdulhusin “Jo” Kashim, Lee Collano, Akmad Wahab and Marites Guingona-Africa. Since 2003, Collano and Africa have been actively engaged in Muslim-Christian dialogue and relationship- building in grassroots communities in the metropolis (where the Office on Muslim Affairs estimated the Muslim population to be around 1.5 million). Together with Kashim and Wahab, their efforts to awaken and engage the moral imagination among Muslims and Christians have gained good measures of success.

Muslim-Christian Peacemakers’ Associations have been formed by the grassroots leaders in the communities of Tala (Caloocan City) and Quiapo (City of Manila) where cooperative livelihood programs are currently serving as one of the motivating forces in strengthening Muslim-Christian relationships. A six-month daily feeding program for malnourished Muslim children is being launched in Maharlika village in the City of Taguig where another Muslim-Christian Peacemakers’ Association is being organized. In the Culiat grassroots community in Quezon City, Muslim youth members of the Lakas ng Kabataang Muslim (Strength of Muslim Youth) organization are helping their elders gain deeper awareness and understanding of their rights and responsibilities as Muslims and citizens of the Philippines, and they are also preparing to engage in dialogue and relationship- building with their Christian counterparts in the nearby Culiat High School.

Encouraged by the success of the moral imagination approaches to Muslim-Christian peace- and relationship- building in Metro Manila, and growing in awareness of the need for new and more lasting and sustainable ways of addressing the raging conflict in Mindanao, The Peacemakers’ Circle opened itself to the possibility of sharing with grassroots peacebuilders in conflict-affected areas of Mindanao the capacities it gained from the two-year action-reflection training program on the moral imagination that the URI made available to them. During the URI Southeast Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly that was held in Tubod, Lanao del Norte in March 2009, Peacemakers’ circle representatives had the opportunity to meet with counterparts from conflict-affected areas of Mindanao who expressed interest in and willingness to engage in partnership with them in peacebuilding.

On June 28, 2009, the first step at forging potential partnerships between Mindanao and Metro Manila peacebuilders happened. The Peacemakers’ Circle URI Moral Imagination Team, with the help of their partners in the Sowing Peace for Mindanao network, organized a meeting in Manila with twelve grassroots leaders from conflict-affected areas in Mindanao, namely: Maguindanao, Cotabato, Basilan, Lanao.

It was a turning point not only in the moral imagination endeavors of URI in Southeast Asia-Pacific, but also in the endeavors of The Peacemakers’ Circle URI CC. For the first time since its eight years of engagement in the field, it reached out beyond the environs of Metro Manila to engage in consultation with representatives of organizations and institutions based in conflict-affected areas of Mindanao to explore the possibility of engaging in a long-term and sustainable action-reflection collaborative work with them. The aim was to train a team of grassroots leaders from conflict-affected areas (who will meet once in every 3-4 months within a span of two years) in an action-reflection program that will build their capacities to promote moral imagination approaches to healing memories of violence and war (among themselves and members of their respective communities) , grassroots interfaith dialogue and relationship- building, and community development and peacebuilding in their respective conflict areas in Mindanao, southern Philippines.

The consultation was held at the University Hotel in the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. Those who were present from the Peacemakers’ Circle were Dr. Abdulhusin “Jo” and Mardia Kashim, Imam Major Ebra Moxsir (President of the Imam Council of the Philippines and incoming trustee of the Peacemakers’ Circle), Shakuntala Vaswani, Orlan de Guzman, Alan Berguia and Marites Africa. From the Sowing Peace for Mindanao network in Metro Manila, among those present were Karen Tanada (Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute), Angelina and Jing Herrera, Helen Trautvetter (Binhi ng Kapayapaan); Dr. Ed Domingo and Dante Rivero (De La Salle University); and Faye Laquio (Mindanao Solidarity Network).

From Mindanao, present were Rev. Fr. Chito Soganub of the Prelature of Marawi, Jamael Datudacula and Sowaib Campong of the Mindanao Dynamic Culture of Peace (MIDCOP, Marawi), Bernardo Roa (Ut Unum Simus, Iligan), Bhenzar Yusuph (United Youth of the Philippines, Basilan Chapter), Ray Danilo Lacson (Notre Dame University, Cotabato), Jo Genna Jover (Kutawato Council for Justice and Peace), Noraida Akad (United Youth for Peace and Development) , Abulkair Alibasa (Liguasan Youth Association for Sustainable Development) , Nasser Casanova and Nimfa Manon-og (OMI Integrated Rehabilitation Development) .

Links with representatives from Cotabato, Maguindanao and Basilan were established during the interfaith conference organized by the Australian Embassy’s Strengthening Grassroots Interfaith Dialogue and Understanding (SGIDU) Program in Davao last May, and from recommendations given by the Mindanao Peoples’ Caucus (courtesy of Atty. Mary Ann Arnado), Binhi ng Kapayapaan and Balay Rehabilitation organizations.

Professor Rudy Rodil, renowned Philippine historian and member of the dissolved Peace Panel of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (that worked on the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain), gave a comprehensive and enlightening history of the Mindanao conflict; and Dr. Jo Kashim provided a brief view of ways forward that he gained from a meeting he helped organize for Dr. John Paul Lederach with leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) last October 2008.

That fateful one-day consultation meeting of Mindanao and Metro Manila peacebuilders last June 28 yielded a wealth of new ideas that held much promise of partnership in peacebuilding. There was the promise of collaborative work not only in designing, facilitating and developing a long-term and sustainable process of building individual and communal capacities for healing memories of conflict and violence, intra- and inter-faith dialogue, and grassroots community-building; there was also the promise of many opportunities (throughout the two-year pilot training program) for engaging the leaders and representatives of various sectors of society in Metro Manila—e.g. government, military, media, business, academe, religious, and other sectors--in dialogue with the Mindanao participants to hear their stories, respond personally and proactively to them, and grow in capacity to engage in partnership with the people of Mindanao in peace- and nation-building.

With the help and support of individuals, organizations and/or institutions who believe in this effort to engage the moral imagination in finding new and long-term and sustainable ways of transcending the cycles of violence in Mindanao and helping empower its people, we look forward to the future with enthusiasm and hope.

Peacemakers Y4U visit Shumei

Farming to Create a Heaven on Earth

In line with the World Environment Day (June 5) the Y4U: Youth for Unity group of the Peacemakers' Circle Foundation, Inc. turned its focus on the growing environmental problems, climate change, food shortages, and increasing poverty in the World. A visit was organized to the Shumei (a Japanese spiritual movement) center to learn about their practice of natural agriculture. However, the visit to the center at Valencia Hills Condominium, Quezon City did not materialize until June 25 (Saturday)... Read full text & more photos

Peacemakers celebrate URI 9th Anniversary with interfaith leaders

The Peacemakers' Circle -- a Cooperation Circle or CC of the United Religions Inititative (URI)-- in partnership with the URI Southeast Asia-Pacific regional office had a beautiful gathering with interfaith leaders and friends on June 25 entitled People for Peace in celebration of URI's 9th Anniversary of its Charter-signing. Around 24 interfaith leaders and representatives braved the Manila typhoon signal warning to grace us their presence to renew bonds and friendships. Old and new friends happily exchanged their interfaith stories and lessons with each other.

The celebration opened with interfaith prayers from Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Christian, Tibetan Buddhist, Unitarian Universalist, and Brahma Kumaris traditions. We were also blessed with the presence of Shumei and Jeung San Do spiritual movement representatives. Indigenous flute music as prayer was played by Orlan de Guzman Jr. in the background.

The afternoon involved the screening of URI videos and a sharing on how the URI seed was planted in the Philippines. Personal stories about working with URI and experiences with CC members from around the globe were shared by URI Staff and CC members engaging the guests about this extraordinary global initiative and encouraging them to partner in our programs.

We also celebrated the birthday of Shakun Vaswani, PCFI vice president and URI-SEAP regional coordinator.

URI SEAPac and the Peacemakers Circle CC is looking forward to strengthening relationships and its network through continued interfaith dialogue with the faith groups present and those who could not make it due to other commitments.

Next year, on the tenth anniversary of the URI, we are planning to come up with a big celebration to highlight our work on interfaith dialogue and peace building on the ground.














Please click or copy and paste : http://uriseap.ning.com/photo/albums/uri-seapac-celebrates-uri-9th for more photos on the event.

(reported by Sarah Queblatin, URISEAP programs coordinator)

First Symphony of Global Peace Prayers / World Shift Day celebration in Manila successfully held

On May 17, 2009 the Philippines joined more than 52 countries in the world in synergetic harmony as the Global Peace Meditation and Prayer Day / World Shift Day was celebrated with Symphony of peace prayers (SOPP)*, an interfaith program jointly organized by the Byakko Shinko Kai – Philippines (BSKP) and The Peacemakers’ Circle Foundation, Inc. (PCFI), and in partnership with the Center for Peace Education of Miriam College.

Lined with the colorful flags of the different countries in the world, faith symbols, a Peace Pole, mandala artworks, and energized with the presence and prayerful intentions of around 70 peace-loving people representing different spiritual organizations, advocacy groups, cultural workers and artists-- the conference hall of the Environmental Science Institute in Miriam College, Quezon City throbbed with peace vibrations sent out to the rest of the world that Sunday morning.

The program started off with Byakko members engaging everyone in a centering exercise called Ocean Breathing (Kokyuho) while they performed the Divinity-In (body prayer/mudra). This preceded some words of welcome from the founder/leader of BSKP and Peacemakers’ Circle member, Mr. Mario “Toots” Fungo.

The Peace Declaration of the World March for Peace and Nonviolence was then read together as led by Ms. Genie Kupang, a representative of the World Without Wars Movement and the Ang Komunidad (Humanist Movement). This was followed by the Global Prayer for a World Without Conflict and the Prayer for Harmony Between Humanity and Nature (led by Byakko members, Ms. Auchee Villaraza & Ms. Mae Coloma). These were accompanied by live noseflute music rendered by Mr. Leo Emmanuel Castro of SangHabi, Inc.

A dance-prayer was presented by Ms. Lea Tolentino of GINHAWA (holistic wellness center) to the tune of a prayer-song performed live by the young members of Kontra-Gapi (Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino / Philippine contemporary gamelan) —ethnic music & dance ensemble from the University of the Philippines.

One of the highlights of the event was the interfaith peace prayers led by ten leaders and representatives of different faith traditions. They were: Dr. Shakuntala Vaswani of Balmandir Hindu Temple; Mr. Upendra Das of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISCKON/Hare Krishna); Mr. Raymond Cosare (Tibetan Buddhist); Bro. Eli Andrade of Rainbow Peace Mission (Christian); Mr. Alan Berguia (Muslim) of PCFI & Youth for Unity (Y4U); Mr. Satinder Singh of Y4U & Manila Sikh Temple; and Baba Surinder Singh of Guru Nanak Mission (Sikh); Mr. Willi Remollo of Baha’i National Spiritual Assembly (Baha’i Faith); and Mrs. Tomomi Shima of Shinji Shumei Kai (Japanese spiritual organization). Capping off the interfaith prayers was a silent meditation guided by Mr. John Dowling of Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University.

The silence reverberated with powerful peace vibrations that was felt all around, as seen in the serenity on each one’s faces as they slowly opened their eyes. Everyone was then invited to spread the peaceful energy and light to the whole planet through the World Peace Prayer Ceremony which consisted of mentioning the names of the 198 nations in the world and praying for peace to prevail in each one. Byakko members accompanied the 35-minute ceremony with the performance of a Purification In (mudra) for each country, engaging some of the audience to join them.

The interfaith prayers—combined with the prayers for each country-- brought the experience to new heights as everyone shared a general feeling of accomplishment and joy for having been able to contribute in their own simple way towards an elevated shift in human consciousness for a more peaceful and harmonious world. Dr. Shakuntala Vaswani, Peacemakers’ Circle Vice President and United Religions Initiative Southeast Asia-Pacific regional coordinator, noted this in her closing remarks and she extended deep gratitude and appreciation for everyone who took part in the successful activity.

In high spirits, the event concluded with everyone exchanging greetings of peace from the heart and sharing a simple feast of vegetarian noodles, biscuits and fruits, while jamming to the chanting, drumming and gong music of ISKCON, Kontra-Gapi, and SangHabi.

Infinite gratitude once again goes to all participating groups: World Peace Prayer Society-Phils., Integral Art Metta, Inc., Ang Komunidad (Humanist Movement), World Without Wars movement, SangHabi, Inc., Ginhawa, Inc., U.P. Kontra-Gapi, ISKCON, Y4U, Peace Rainbow Mission, Guru Nanak Mission, Baha'i National Spiritual Assembly, Shumei Phils., Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, URI-SEAP, and many others!

*Symphony of Peace Prayers (SOPP) is a yearly event that started at the Fuji Sanctuary in Japan —home of the Byakko Shinko Kai (“white light organization”--see www.byakko.org). Now on its fifth year, SOPP has extended its celebration to engage local connecting events in different countries on the same day. On 2007 the World Peace Prayer Society –International and the Club of Budapest came together to make the SOPP its official kick-off event to launch the Global Peace Meditation and Prayer Day / World Shift Day each year (see www.globalpeacemeditationprayerday.org).

A similar event was also simultaneously organized by a small interfaith group in Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao on the same day.