A Call for Peace and Unity in Mindanao

September 23, 2008

Mindanao, Philippines - Amidst the ceaseless struggle between the government and the radical Islamic groups in the Philippine island of Mindanao, a new hope for peace and unity dawned September 19 to 21 with a series of conferences, service projects, and other initiatives that culminated the Global Peace Festival.

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Peace-Making in Mindanao: A Risky Business

September 22, 2008

Cagayan De Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines: At the conclusion of the Global Peace Festival (GPF) in Mindanao September 21, on a stage constructed on the provincial capital grounds, former Speaker of the House, Jose de Venecia, Jr. called on the Philippine government to renew the peace talks, earmark USD 2.1 billion (Pesos 100 billion), and bring the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) into the peace process as a neutral partner in the negotiations.

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Background of the Global Peace Festival in Mindanao

September 22, 2008

Mindanao, Philippines - Amidst the ceaseless struggle between the government and the radical Islamic groups in the Philippine island of Mindanao, a new hope for peace and unity has dawned in this "Promised Land," as Mindanao is often called.

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J. de Venecia: Peace, the Greatest Need of Our Time

September 21, 2008

Hon. Jose de Venecia, Jr., Chairman, CDI-Asia Pacific Address to the Global Peace Festival Cagayan De Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines September 21, 2008

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In the News: Mindanaoans Converge for Global Peace Festival

September 21, 2008

Some 500 Mindanaoans and foreign delegates are converging in Cagayan de Oro City to mark the three-day Global Peace Festival Mindanao 2008, which kicked off with the International Leadership Conference held Saturday at the Pryce Place Hotel.

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Day of Peace in Mindanao, Philippines

September 21, 2008

Cagayan de Oro, Philippines - Different ethnic groups performed traditional dances at the Global Peace Festival in Mindanao.

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In the News: Filipino Delegates Support Peace Festival in Japan

September 3, 2008

Tokyo, Japan - A kick-off banquet for the Global Peace Festival in Japan was held September 3, 2008 at the Hilton Tokyo in Shinjuku. The Philippine delegates to the event included officials from the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo: the Labor Attaché, Mr. Danilo Cruz; the Welfare Officer, Ms. Luz Talento; and the Armed Forces and Defense Attaché, Col. Danilo Estropia. Also present was Mrs. Angelita Obara, President of the Filipino Japanese Movement for Global Peace and co-chair of the GPF Japan Filipino Community National Steering Committee.

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J. de Venecia: Peace as a Community of Sharing

August 8, 2008

Hon. Jose de Venecia, Jr., Chairman, CDI-Asia Pacific Address to International Leadership Conference, Regional Summit, and Global Peace Festival on "Toward a New Paradigm of Leadership and Good Governance for Development and Peace" Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, September 8, 2008

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In the News: Universal Peace Federation to Discuss Peace Advocacy

August 1, 2008

Dumaguete City, Philippines - The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) in Negros Oriental will hold a special gathering on August 9, 2008 at the Bethel Guesthouse to discuss efforts in advocating peace in the society.

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Philippine Interfaith Cooperation Initiative at the UN

June 17, 2008

A summary of the interreligious initiatives of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations, 2004-2008

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Project 'Adopt-a-Park' Launched in Manila

March 2, 2008

Manila, Philippines - The City of Manila and National Service Training Program educators launched an "Adopt-a-Park" project on March 2, 2008, at the historical Bonifacio Shrine.

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A Grand Festival Day in Manila

December 12, 2007

On December 12, 2007, the Philippines hosted the Global Peace Festival 2007 grand celebration at the historic Quirino Grandstand in the capital city of Manila. The event culminated a multitude of activities and entertainment under the theme of “Global Peace and One World Family.”

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J. de Venecia: A Global Ethic

December 12, 2007

We have gathered here because we, too, share this universal longing for peace, which all of us feel most acutely during this sacred season. Peace on Earth is our greatest need, but it is also our most elusive collective goal.

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Beach Cleanup in Manila

December 9, 2007

Manila, Philippines - Early on December 9, at 6:00 AM, around 10,000 volunteers from thirty-nine schools and universities in Metro Manila, and over 100 community groups flocked to join in the first Balikatang Kabataan para sa Kaunlaran ng Bayan Coastal Cleaning Project, a massive coastal cleanup of the Manila Bay.

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Promoting Strong Families in the Philippines

June 24, 2007

One hundred and eleven educators—superintendents, principals and values education teachers—in the National Capital Region (NCR) attended a two-day Educators' Training Workshop on Character Education at the ICEF International Youth Center in Tanay, Rizal, Philippines June 23-24, 2007.

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Peace Tour Inaugurates UPF in the Philippines

December 1, 2005

Manila, Philippines - The Speaker of the Philippines House of Representatives, Hon. Jose de Venecia, Jr., headed up the welcoming committee for Dr. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon. A police escort sped the party to the historic Manila Hotel, General MacArthur’s residence and headquarters during World War II.

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Religious Youth Service Distributes Medicine and Books in Patawan, Philippines

October 24, 2004

Patawan, Philippines - Participants in a Religious Youth Service project in Patawan, Philippines, Oct. 20-24, 2004, distributed medicine to four villages, painted a school building, distributed reading materials and visited religious sites.

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RYS-Philippines: A Celebration of Service on the 58th Anniversary of the UN

October 22, 2003

Province of Cavite, PhilippinesRYS repaired and painted a school, built and donated bookshelves, and landscaped a school.

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L. Curaming: Religion as a Motivating Force in the Pursuit of Peace

February 28, 2002

There is a story that the leaders of two nations, one a fundamentalist theocracy the other a military dictatorship, visited God to find out when the turbulence in their countries would end and their peoples would be at peace. To the theocrat’s question, “Almighty, when will the troubles of my people end?” God answered, “Not in your lifetime.” It was the turn, next, of the military dictator to ask the same question. To him God answered: “Not in my lifetime.”

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Religious Youth Service Tackles More Environmental Work in the Philippines

October 30, 1997

Batangas, Philippines—In late October, the RYS held its second project of the year in the state of Batangas in the Philippines. Based on the success of the first project, the RYS returned to tackle additional environmental work.

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