Dann Pantoja is beginning to use his Tagalog indigenous name -- Lakan Sumulong. This is a statement that our indigenous identities can be a redeeming factor in healing our 'being' (that is, who we are as a people); help symbolize our determination to contribute what we ought to be 'doing' as a nation (that is--active, non-violent, radical transformation); and, determine how we will prioritize what we will be 'having' (that is, inclusive growth and national development based on justice and peace). Asked what fuels his positive outlook in life: “It’s the influence of Jesus, a first century Palestinian carpenter who was executed by the imperial power of his time. He said: ‘Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.’ Jesus defied the ultimate negative factor in our cosmos--death.”
Author's posts
JOJI SHARES HER ‘COFFEE FOR PEACE’ STORY AT A WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
Last Thursday, 28 March, the provincial government of Davao Occidental invited Joji to be the keynote speaker at their 2019 National Women’s Month Celebration. Speaking on the theme “We Make Change Work For Women,” Joji emphasized both the reproductive and productive roles of women as community leaders. She shared her journey as a mother and the story of Coffee For Peace to illustrate the main points of her speech.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2019/03/30/joji-shares-her-coffee-for-peace-story-at-a-womens-conference/
WE REAFFIRM AND CELEBRATE OUR KINSHIP WITH THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF MINDANAO
My friendship with Datu Migketay “Vic” Saway has been a significant spiritual blessing. Our partnership in peacebuilding is based on kinship. “Peace is within our reach,” he says. But this peace “largely depends on our willingness to treat each other within the bond of kinship!” This has been his yearly call to various leaders of Indigenous Peoples, Moro, and Settlers — to gather together to affirm our kinship.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2019/03/10/we-reaffirmed-and-celebrated-our-kinship-with-the-indigenous-peoples-of-mindanao/
REMEMBERING THE VIOLENCE AND HORROR OF THE MARCOS DICTATORIAL RULE
I participated in a gathering of survivors of armed conflict and human rights violations. Most of us were overcomers of Martial Law under the brutal Marcos dictatorial regime. We came out determined to integrate the emotions involved in a kind of damage to the mind that occurs as a result of overwhelming amount of stress. We are being healed from our past traumas.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2019/02/22/remembering-the-violence-and-horror-of-the-marcos-dictatorial-rule/
THE MUSLIM COUNCIL OF ELDERS INVITED ME TO THE ‘GLOBAL CONFERENCE OF HUMAN FRATERNITY’
Last 03-05 February 2019, I attended the Global Conference of Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi by the invitation of Dr. Sultan Al Rumaithi, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Elders. A historic document, Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, was signed by both His Holiness Pope Francis (Pope of the Catholic Church) and His Eminence Dr. Ahmer El-Tayeb (Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif) during this conference.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2019/02/09/the-muslim-council-of-elders-invited-me-to-the-global-conference-on-human-fraternity/
DESPITE THE VIOLENCE AROUND US, I SENSE SO MUCH HEALING ENERGIES EMBRACING US
In the midst of violence and injustice happening in Mindanaw, I sense healing energies embracing the people who are in the forefront of justice and peace advocacy. I’ve been encountering this breath of fresh air through the inspiring words of global leaders and through a series of meetings with civil society workers and leaders.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2019/01/31/despite-the-violence-around-us-i-sense-healing-energies-embracing-us/
JOJI SERVES AS PLENARY SPEAKER AT THE 2019 LEARNING CONFERENCE
Last 15 January 2019, Joji served as plenary speaker at the Learning Conference 2019 which was held at the Mary Hill Retreat Center, Taytay, Rizal. This conference was organized by the Asian School of Development and Cross-Cultural Studies (ASDECS) in partnership with Kabalikat para sa Maunlad na Buhay, Inc. (KMBI). The conference theme was “Conspiracy of the Wise Builders” — it’s about building sustainable, regenerating, and transformational communities.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2019/01/16/joji-serves-as-plenary-speaker-at-the-2019-learning-conference/
MY RANTS WHILE ADVOCATING PEACE AND RECONCILIATION UNDER MARTIAL LAW IN MINDANAO
Last Wednesday, 12 December 2018, the 17th Congress extended the martial law in Mindanao until the end of 2019. It was President Rodrigo Duterte who requested the legislative body to extend the military rule in our island. This means also that the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in our region is suspended. The government can arrest persons of interest without a warrant. This is the current socio-political context of our peace-and-reconciliation ministry.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2018/12/15/my-rants-while-advocating-peace-and-reconciliation-under-martial-law-in-mindanao/
MEET OUR FAMILY
VISIT COFFEE FOR PEACE
VISIT PEACEBUILDERS COMMUNITY
OUR DISTINCT BUT INSEPARABLE ROLES
