The staff and leaders of Coffee for Peace, Inc., along with Kapeyapaan Coffee Roasting Services, Malipayon Post-Harvest Processing Services, IncluDev Learning Initiatives, and Produce Peace+, gathered on December 15-16, 2024, for a Christmas celebration and year-end evaluation at a beach resort in Samal Island, Davao del Sur. The event featured lively parlor games, swimming, and team-building activities that emphasized trust, communication, and shared purpose. These activities fostered joy, camaraderie, and collaboration among the 35 participants. The gathering also included a reflective session where the group reviewed their accomplishments and challenges for 2024, exchanging insights to guide their work for 2025. Concluding with a shared meal and expressions of gratitude, the event celebrated the festive season while reaffirming the participants’ commitment to fostering peace and sustainable development through innovative solutions and community engagement.
Team Building and Discernment of Possible Leaders
The celebration kicked off with an afternoon snack followed by lively parlor games, fostering laughter and friendly competition among the attendees. The team also indulged in refreshing swims, enjoying the dual pleasures of a resort pool and the pristine beach waters that Samal Island is known for.
“For me, the highlight was definitely the series of parlor games,” said Fred Abelitado, our Center Care Senior Staff.
Building on the festive atmosphere, the participants engaged in a series of team-building activities designed to strengthen interpersonal connections, enhance collaboration, and discern possible leaders. These activities emphasized trust, communication, and shared purpose — values central to the mission of the participating organizations.
“I feel great because I got to know their different personalities and got to know each one of them better,” said Ederick Callao, one of the CFP baristas. “Everyone has their own goals that you can apply to yourself and use to improve how you connect with others,” he adds.
For Paula Gancero, member of our administrative staff, the controlled experiences were especially meaningful. “I realized,” she mused, “during the building of our tower (one of our team-building controlled experiences), that asking for help, sharing your ideas, accepting recommendations, would really improve a work.” (A controlled experience in seminar facilitation is a form of simulation which is a complex setup that replicates real-life processes, environments, or challenges.)
Leadership Development Mentoring Team
Joseph ‘Ka Boyet’ Ongkiko, Executive Vice President for Program and Institutional Development at PeaceBuilders Community, facilitated the team building activities. Ka Boyet is known for his dynamic and engaging approach, blending theory with practical applications to equip leaders with the skills and mindset needed for effective decision-making, collaboration, and community building. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Development Communications from the University of the Philippines – Los Baños (UPLB), and a Master’s degree in Development Management at the Asian School of Development and Cross-Cultural Studies (ASDECS).
Ka Boyet’s role in this teambuilding and leadership discernment process is complemented by the presence of Bennette Grace Tenecio. She is the former Director of Support Operations at PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI) and currently serves as a member of the PBCI Board of Trustees. She holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from the University of the Philippines. A seasoned clinical counselor, Bennette plays a vital role in the discernment process of leadership candidates within the Peace Hub Family, offering her expertise to nurture transformative leaders. Bennette runs a Davao-based consulting services in Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM).
We also enjoyed the presence and insights of Kriz Cruzado in this event, who is in Mindanao for the Holiday Season. She is the former Director of Field Operations at PBCI and an active member of our Information and Communications Team, a global network of ICT volunteers. She currently works as a Mediator and Case Worker at Mediation Services in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Kriz earned her Master’s degree in Peacebuilding and Collaborative Development from Canadian Mennonite University in 2016 and brings a wealth of experience in the areas of conflict resolution and community transformation.
The coordinator of this Christmas celebration is Joji Pantoja, Chair and CEO of Coffee for Peace. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Service Administration and a Master of Entrepreneurship with a specialization in Social Enterprise Development. Joji is a recognized leader in using coffee as a tool to build peace, foster community, and promote ethical business practices globally.
Lakan Sumulong, Founding President and CEO of PBCI, serves in this Peace Hub Family as story-teller; a spiritual leader; and a senior peacebuilding and leadership development mentor.
Reflection and Evaluation
The event also served as a platform for reflection and evaluation. Leaders and team members reviewed the accomplishments and challenges of 2024, exchanging insights and ideas to guide their initiatives in the coming year. This session highlighted the organizations’ commitment to continuous improvement and their shared goal of fostering peace and sustainable development through innovative solutions and community engagement.
Carla Angela Quinto described the reflection sessions as “the happiest part of the event.” One of CFP’s newest baristas, Carla also teaches Risk Management, Cruise Tourism, and Quality Service at the Holy Cross of Davao College. Reflecting on the experience, she shared, “When everyone was expressing their feelings and gratitude about being part of the PBCI-CFP family, it gave me a vision of what my future could be. I know that working here at CFP will be both fun and full of learning opportunities.”
PBCI, CFP, and the whole Peace Hub Family operate as dynamic learning ecosystems where individuals grow personally and professionally in alignment with the principles of peacebuilding, transformational leadership, and sustainable social enterprise. These organizations embrace a philosophy that learning is not confined to formal education but is an ongoing, intentional, and collaborative process.
This intentional mentoring framework is supported by a culture of learning that encourages curiosity, continuous improvement, and adaptability. Regular workshops, field experiences, and collaborative discussions are integrated into the organizational rhythm. Staff members are empowered to ask questions, seek feedback, and explore new ideas, fostering an environment of mutual growth.
Renewed Energies
The event exemplified the organizations’ commitment to holistic well-being, not only in their peacebuilding and community development missions but also in nurturing their teams’ morale and unity.
The group concluded their gathering with a shared meal and heartfelt expressions of gratitude. The event not only celebrated the festive season but also reaffirmed their dedication to their collective mission, setting a hopeful and determined tone for 2025.
With spirits renewed and bonds strengthened, the staff and leaders of Coffee for Peace, Inc. and its partner organizations look forward to another year of meaningful work, inspired by the joy and solidarity cultivated during their two-day retreat. Participants left the gathering with renewed energy and a deeper sense of purpose.
Peace Hub Family: About the Organizations
At the core of our efforts stands PeaceBuilders Community, Inc., the sturdy trunk of our family tree, providing strength and direction. Branching out from this trunk are various initiatives, each contributing to the collective vision:
Coffee for Peace, Inc. is a social enterprise advocating for fair trade, peacebuilding, and environmental stewardship through the coffee industry.
Kapeyapaan Coffee Roasting Services specializes in roasting high-quality coffee beans sourced from conflict-affected areas, promoting sustainable livelihoods for farmers.
Malipayon Post-Harvest Processing Services focuses on enhancing the quality of agricultural produce through advanced post-harvest techniques.
IncluDev Learning Initiatives provides capacity-building programs aimed at fostering inclusive development.
Produce Peace+ supports community-based initiatives to create sustainable and peaceful environments.
2 comments
It was a wonderful time – a time of reconnecting, expressing love, and appreciating God’s blessings.
Stay at Malipayon Peace Hub when you when you come back again. Peace and blessings!