Joji & Dann Pantoja are beginning to use their Tagalog indigenous name — "Lakambini Mapayapa & Lakan Sumulong" — as they seek to practice peace and reconciliation principles in the armed conflicted areas in the Philippines. For them, "Lakambini & Lakan" is a statement that their indigenous identities can be a redeeming factor in healing their ‘being’ — that is, who they are as community members of particular ethno-linguistic groups who are in a journey-of-healing from the wounds of colonial oppression. "Lakambini & Lakan" also helps them symbolize their determination to contribute to what they believe, as a people, ought to be ‘doing’ — that is, active, non-violent, radical transformation. Finally, "Lakambini & Lakan" is a statement of determination how they view their priorities on what they and their small organization will be ‘having’ — that is, hope-filled communities practicing inclusive development based on justice and peace.
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PBCI-CFP FAMILY HOLDS ‘DAY OF GRATITUDE’: TO THE CREATOR, TO THE JOURNEY OF BECOMING, TO OUR COMMUNITY, TO THE CREATION
In the tapestry of our existence as members of PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI) and Coffee for Peace (CFP), gratitude serves as the golden thread that weaves together the fabric of our lives. It is a powerful force that connects us to the Creator, the journey of becoming, our community, and the vast creation that surrounds us. In this season of remembering the Birth of Jesus Christ in the context of the 2023 ethnic cleansing and genocide in the Land of Palestine — his country of birth, we spend a day of reflection together. We delve into the profound significance of expressing gratitude in these various dimensions of our existence. Gratitude goes beyond mere politeness or saying “thank you”; it is a heartfelt and intentional practice that can have transformative effects on both individuals and communities.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2023/12/19/pbci-cfp-family-holds-day-of-gratitude-to-the-creator-to-the-journey-of-becoming-to-our-community-to-the-creation/
THE ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY INVITED US TO SHARE OUR LOVE STORY
The Arrupe Office of Social Formation — the social formation arm of the Ateneo de Davao University — invited Joji and me as one of their resource speakers last 28 February 2023, for the event entitled “Love Stories: Paano Umibig sa Panahon ng Ligalig? The Way of Love in Troubled Waters”. This event is one of the activities in commemoration of the 32nd death anniversary of Jesuit Father General Pedro Arrupe. Our talk was part of a series of short talks and performances inspired by Fr Pedro Arrupe’s “fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything” and is grounded in Christ’s most fundamental teaching: love. Joji and I were so grateful for the privilege of sharing our harmonious view of love — that of loving the Creator, loving our being, loving others, and loving the whole creation.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2023/02/28/the-ateneo-de-davao-university-invited-us-to-share-our-love-story/
MC CANADA LEARNING TOUR PARTICIPANTS ACCOMPANIED US IN OUR FIELD WORK
At Mennonite Church Canada, they refer to this as Peace Learning Tour Philippines. For us at PBCI-CFP Team, we see these partners and friends as faith-siblings who did accompany us in our field work. This field trip happened last 13-22 January 2023. Norm Dyck led the group — Andrea, Anita, Brent, Dorothea, Dorothy, Edna, Lois, and Rose. They travelled with us, the Inclusive Development Team of PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. and Coffee for Peace (PBCI-CFP IncluDev Team), and visited some of our field partners in Mindanao. The tour included visiting Davao Bible Community, our local church partner; the Talaandig Indigenous People’s community; the Obo Manobo IP community and our common partner, the Energy Development Corporation; the Tri-People’s Farm owned by Romy and Lulu Elusfa; and the Bagobo Tagabawa IP community. We concluded the tour with a rest and recreation day at the Paradise Beach Resort.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2023/01/23/mc-canada-learning-tour-participants-accompanied-us-in-our-field-work/
FAMILY DEVELOPMENT AND MINISTRY TRANSITION BRING JOY TO US AS WE JOURNEY THROUGH THE PANDEMIC
2022 was like seeing the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel. We felt we were getting out of the darkness of 2020-2021 paralyses due to Covid. Joji was able to visit and bond with our three adult children and eight grandchildren last Fall. They bring so much joy to our lives. Meanwhile, the operations of Coffee for Peace (CFP) in the context of the new realities are being appreciated by the global social enterprise community. The Field Operations Team of PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI) revived our on-the-ground projects with various community partners. With both the PBCI Board of Trustees and the CFP Board of Directors, we reviewed the past 16 years of justice-based peace and reconciliation ministry in Mindanao and we all agreed that this Philippine ministry is now entering into a leadership transition phase.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2022/12/23/family-development-and-ministry-transition-bring-joy-to-us-as-we-journey-through-the-pandemic/
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL OF THE BAGOBO TAGABAWA CONFERRED HONORARY TITLES TO OUR TEAM
During the final day of the National Indigenous Peoples’ Month, which is celebrated every October, the tribal council of the Bagobo Tagabawa invited us to attend their final ceremonies. We were told that, among several events of the day, “there will be a ceremony to officially include us as members of the tribe.” They actually surprised us by conferring honorary leadership titles along with our ritual membership into the tribal community. For this sacred embrace, we express our deep gratitude to the Indigenous Political Structure, the clans, and the families of the Bagobo Tagabawa people. By the Creator’s grace and mercy, we commit to fulfill the duties and responsibilities implied in this honor.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2021/10/30/the-tribal-council-of-the-bagobo-tagabawa-conferred-honorary-titles-to-our-team/
PEACE AND RECONCILIATION THROUGH INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Peace and Reconciliation. Inclusive Development. Social Entrepreneurship. These are the dominant terms that floated when we were doing content analysis of our current ministry. Once more, we’re defining and clarifying the basic concepts and activities involved in our mission as we’re signing a renewed three-year Covenant of Service (2021-2024) with Mennonite Church Canada Witness. We are grateful for this blessing and are excited to be entrusted with a set of field responsibilities.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2021/05/31/peace-and-reconciliation-through-inclusive-development-and-social-entrepreneurship/
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