Peacemakers celebrate URI's 11th Anniversary

June 28, 2011 (Tuesday)

In celebration the 11th anniversary (June 26th) of the charter-signing of the global grassroots network---United Religions Initiative (URI)-- The Peacemakers' Circle, in cooperation with the URI Southeast Asia-Pacific regional office, gathered members and friends to its regular Tuesday Inner Work Circle for an open evening of interfaith prayers, video viewing, friendship-buidling and sharing.

The Peacemakers' Circle, a cooperation circle and founding member of URI, did not expect a big turn out of around 30 people in the intimate celebration that saw old-time members who brought along their friends from different faith communities. As a way of spreading the awareness they were asked to bring newcomers to the circle for them to be introduced to local and global interfaith peacebuilding work by personally meeting and building friendships among each other.

Among those who came were friends from the United Muslim-Christian Peacemakers' Association of Tala, Caloocan; Shumei Philippines; Filipino Buddhist community; Sanib Lakas Foundation; and regular attendees of the Tuesday Inner Work Circle.

Among new friends who attended were from: Ateneo Student Catholic Action; Metropolitan Community Church (an LGBT Christian group); and the Philippine Independent Church.

During the sharing around the circle, many among the new comers expressed joy and gratitude for having been introduced to the interfaith community and were inspired and affirmed by the experience of witnessing warm and sincere relationships among people of different faith traditions.

In the spirit of URI, it is hoped that interfaith friendships continue to grow towards enduring cooperation and harmonious synergy for a better world in the many more years of celebration to come.

Happy Anniversary once again to the global interfaith family of URI!

see the rest of the photos at: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.162203047182092.39770.134984369903960&type=1

Interfaith Synergy for the Environment @Kamayan Forum

On 3rd Friday, June 17, 2011 The Peacemakers' Circle was invited to participate in the monthly environmental forum, Kamayan Para Sa Kalikasan, whereby the theme chosen for the month was Interfaith Views and Efforts for the Environment.

Three of the Peacemakers' Circle board members comprised the panel of speakers, namely: Dr. Abdulhusin "Jo" Kashim (for Islam); Dr. Shakuntala Vaswani (Hinduism); and
Ms. Tomomi Shima (Shumei -Japanese spiritual organization).

Each of them shared about basic teachings from their faiths regarding care for the Earth, and also answered the question:"How have the various Religions and Faith Traditions led and helped their respective flocks become more loving and effective stewards of God's Creation? Is Inter-Faith Synergy possible?"

Truly, synergy and cooperation among different faiths is possible while the forum saw a universal teaching of stewardship and respect for the integrity of creation across religions and spiritual traditions.

Given the opportunity to speak by passing the microphone, each one contributed his/her own views and insights on the topic. Among the highlights of the sharing from the participants was on the wisdom of local indigenous culture and spirituality that demonstrates deep and direct care and sacredness of the environment.



Kamayan para sa Kalikasan is convened jointly by CLEAR Communicators for the Environment and SanibLakas ng mga Aktibong Lingkod ng Inang Kalikasan (SALIKA), with full sponsorship from the Kamayan Restaurant. It has been held on the Third Friday of every month, since March 1990, at the Kamayan-EDSA, near SEC/Ortigas, Mandaluyong City, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. It runs in three distinct portions, and everyone in attendance is given time at the microphone. SALIKA Founding President Marie R. Marciano moderates.

Symphony of Peace Prayers - Manila 2011

The 7th annual Symphony of Peace Prayers (SOPP) on Global Peace Meditation and Prayer Day / World Shift Day-- May 22, 2011 (Sunday) -- was joyously celebrated in Manila, Philippines at the Environmental Science Institute Conference Hall of Miriam College Quezon City.

More than 80 people from different faith groups, organizations and institutions participated in the event that was synchronized with the grand SOPP of the Byakko Shinko Kai at the Fuji Sanctuary in Japan, kicking-off the 24-hour worldwide prayer marathon that involves more than 500 different groups in various locations in over 80 countries.

On its fourth year (since SOPP began to be staged locally outside Japan in 2008) SOPP Manila has been organized by the Mandala Peace Arts Initiative, Inc. (MPAI), in partnership with The Peacemakers’ Circle Foundation, Inc. (TPCFI), United Religions Initiative in Southeast Asia-Pacific (URI-SEAP), and several other peace groups and faith organizations... read more

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.

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