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Earthday 2011 Sandiwang Interfaith Celebration on Easter Sunday

On March 24, 2011 (Easter Sunday) Earth Day was celebrated with the yearly Sandiwang (Isang Diwa ng Pagdiriwang para sa Kalikasan), an interfaith gathering organized by the Earth Day Network-Philippines.

The whole day program started with interfaith prayers from over 20 different groups and civil society organizations who offered solidarity prayers from their faith tradition. This was signaled by ringing of the Peace Bell by the Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista.

Among the faith groups present were: Baha'i' Faith; Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University; Brazilian Catholic Order; Day of Pentecost Church of Jesus Christ; Diliman Bible Church; Golden Cross Curcillo; H-World United Nations Military Philippine Government; IESU; House of Inter-Faith; Iglesia Ni Kristo; International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON/Hare Krishna); Multi-Tribal Movement in the Philippines, Inc. (Muslim); Persons with Disabilities Federation, Inc; Philippine Dao De Gong, Inc.; Samahang Bagong Babaylan; Shinji Shumei Kai; Pamayanang Saniblakas; Victorious Chosen People Ministry, Inc.; United Religions Initiative SEAP; and The Peacemakers' Circle.


There were booths set up by the various participating organizations. Tree seedlings were given away, discounted eco-products and wellness services well demonstrated and offered.

There were talks and performances were presented throughout the day.

The afternoon was concluded with community Earth dancing and vortex meditation walk around the fountain.


For more photos check out: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.145055502230180.32797.134984369903960&l=765f5fa0d2

Interfaith Dialogue at Quakers' Asia-Pacific Gathering

April 4, 2011 (Monday)

The Religious Society of Friends -- otherwise known as Quakers-- invited The Peacemakers' Circle to facilitate an interfaith dialogue session during their Asia-Pacific regional gathering (April 2 to 7, 2011) held at the Bukal ng Tipan Maryhill Retreat Center in Taytay, Rizal.

The Peacemakers' Circle brought together three speakers from different religions to the forum, namely: Prof. Julkipli Wadi from the University of the Philippines Institute of Islamic Studies; Ven. Vincent Taguinod (Mahayana Buddhist) from the Universal Wisdom Foundation; and Dr. Shakuntala Vaswani (Hindu) of The Peacemakers' Circle and United Religions Initiative.

Beginning with the provocative powerpoint presentation on Images of Conflict and Visions of Peace, the audience was given a visual context of the theme for the afternoon.

Each speaker then shared on the significance of peace, interfaith dialogue and coexistence based on the teachings from their respective faith traditions. This was followed by small group discussions on what struck them from what they saw (on the powerpoint video) and what they heard (from the speakers), and what is the significance of interfaith dialogue in their own faith.

An open forum followed as participants from each group shared and posed questions for the panel to answer and expound on. It was an engaging interaction between the delegates and the speakers that left everyone with a general sense of deep gratitude for an enlightening session of interfaith dialogue.

Culminating Program of Muslim-Christian Grassroots Leadership


On April 2, 2011 (Saturday) The Peacemakers' Circle celebrated the culmination of the Muslim-Christian Grassroots Leadership Programs and honored 75 youths and 16 leaders from the four grassroots communities of Tala, Caloocan City; Culiat, Quezon City; Maharlika & Upper Bicutan, Taguig City; and Quiapo, Manila.

In partnership with the Miriam College Center for Peace Education, and supported by the United Religions Initiative-Southeast Asia-Pacific, and the Australian Embassy in Manila, the event was held at the ESI Conference Hall of Miriam College in Quezon City.

The 75 Muslim and Christian youths were participants of a 10-session training program entitled Strengthening Interfaith Youth Leadership under the URI Bowes Award project that was awarded to The Peacemakers' Circle. The young participants came from two communities: 44 youths were from Tala, Caloocan City; and 31 from Culiat, Tandang Sora, Quezon City. The program started in October 2010 where each community separately under went twice-a-month sessions of the same content. Towards the end of the program that two communities were merged.

During the culminating event each community showcased their talents in order to present a synthesis of what they learned about throughout the training. The audience were awe-inspired and touched by the creative presentations these talented youths painstakingly prepared for just a few weeks. They presented dances, drama, and songs which were intertwined to convey their messages of peace, unity and understanding. One of the most moving presentation was the doxology or dance interpretation of a prayer song that was performed by Muslim and Christian girls.

The event also highlighted the recognition of the 16 Muslim-Christian grassroots leaders who have finished the training under the Strengthening Grassroots Interfaith Dialogue and Understanding Program of the Australian Embassy. This 9-month program consisted of twice-a-month action-reflection sessions with four Muslim-Christian leaders each from the four communities mentioned.

In gratitude for their support in the work of The Peacemakers' Circle a plaque of appreciation was also awarded to the Australian Embassy in Manila.

Towards the end of the program the youths and elders took pledge to continue striving to become peacemakers in their respective interfaith communities and being the change they wish to see in the world.

To see more photos check out: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.142539922481738.29390.134984369903960&l=f66ef9b47f

Interfaith Prayers for Japan


On March 28, 2011 (Monday) The Peacemakers' Circle participated in an interfaith prayer service for the healing of Japan and the rest of the ailing nations in the world.

Held at the front of the Japan Embassy in Manila, the simple yet very meaningful event was spearheaded by the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines (AMRSP) in cooperation with partner organizations such as the College of St. Benilde Social Action Center.

A special participation to note was the presence of youth representatives from the Muslim-Christian Youths for Peace and Development (MCYPD) of Tala, Caloocan who brought with them and offered the origami lotuses their young community previously made out of collected prayers for Japan which they have folded into the paper flowers used in the ceremony.

The occasion was also graced by the presence of leaders from different religions who offered prayers from their faith traditions, namely: Mrs. Shakuntala Vaswani (Hindu); Ven. Vincent Taguinod (Buddhist); Baba Surinder Singh (Sikh); Mr. Alan Berguia (Muslim); Mrs. Martha Taylor (Baha'i' Faith); Mrs. Tomomi Shima (Shinji Shumei Kai); and of course the religious sisters from the different Catholic congregations.

Live musical accompaniment were provided by Sanghabi, Ms. Sarah Queblatin and Ms. Nota.

The ceremony was capped-off by candle-lighting.

to see more photos click here:

Peacemakers at the Movies...(Robin Padilla film-screening)



March 24th (Thursday) 7:00pm

The Peacemakers' Circle was honored to have been invited to a special screening for the interfaith community of
TUM: MY PLEDGE OF LOVE
latest film directed and produced by the action star himself, Mr. Robin Abdul Aziz Padilla, together with his new wife, Ms. Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla.
Known to be the first Filipino film shot almost entirely in India, TUM speaks of the message that resonates well with the advocacy of The Peacemakers' Circle about peace, interfaith harmony and unity amidst diversity.

Before the viewing the couple autographed a framed poster of the film and awarded it to The Peacemakers' Circle which was received by its founder/executive director, ms. Marites Africa, who --on behalf of the officers and members, including the grassroots youths and leaders from the various communities present in the event-- thanked Mr. & Mrs. Padilla for the relevant work they have put into the film and for recognizing the organization.



Muslim-Christian Youths of Tala and Culiat First Joint Session

On March 12, 2011 (Saturday) March 12, 2011 (Saturday) 8am-5pm

For the first time, the Muslim & Christian youths of Culiat and Tala were gathered together through The Peacemakers' Circle in a whole-day session amidst the lush forest park of the La Mesa watershed in Fairview, Quezon City.

The youths from the two communities are participants of the 10-session Strengthening Interfaith Youth Leadership training-- supported by the United Religions Initiative (URI) Bowes Award program-- which began in October 2010 and will culminate on April 2011. Twice a month the two communities held their sessions separately but now the 70 youths have had the opportunity to interact with their Muslim and Christian counterparts from the other community.

The session was facilitated by Ms. Sarah Queblatin, together with co-artist Russell Maier, and Peacemakers' Circle coordinators, Orlan de Guzman, Jr. and Alan Berguia.


The youths were engaged in dialogue and heart listening, as well as community arts and co-creative mandala installation.

Towards the end of the day, the session was concluded with a closing ritual in a circle around the community art work where the youths touched the ground and in interfaith prayers, affirmations and silence offered blessings and healing to the Earth and all beings, especially those who are facing hardships amidst social and environmental conflicts.

Special thanks for the full support of the Muslim-Christian Peacemaker elders of Tala who lovingly guided, accompanied the youths and prepared the food for everyone!

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