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
THE IMPACT OF A TRUMP OR HARRIS PRESIDENCY ON THE LIBERATION OF PALESTINE: A FILIPINO PEACEBUILDER’S POINT OF VIEW
The current genocidal act of Zionist Israel against the Palestinian people is enabled primarily by the United States of America. The potential presidencies of Donald Trump or Kamala Harris carry significant implications for the future of Palestine and its quest for liberation. This is my Artificial Intelligence-aided exploration and examination on how the foreign policy approaches of Trump and Harris could influence the Palestinian struggle for statehood, liberation, and peace over the next decade. While shouting “Justice!” and working with justice-based peacebuilding networks where I’m at, I am fervently praying that all the systems and structures perpetuating the oppressive and genocidal actions of the Zionist Israel — being armed, financially supported, and diplomatically covered by the US, the UK, and other complicit allies — would be dismantled.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2024/07/26/the-impact-of-a-trump-or-harris-presidency-on-the-liberation-of-palestine-in-the-next-10-years/
DECOLONIZING AND LIBERATING THE CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE: A PERSONAL REFLECTION
09-13 July 2024, Thailand — A group of us, missionaries sent by the Mennonite Church Canada Witness to various parts of Asia, gathered in Southern Thailand for a time of recreation, relationship building, and deep reflection. This gathering was not just a break from our usual routines but a purposeful retreat designed to foster personal and collective growth through the lens of vulnerability. My personal response focused on decolonizing and liberating the Christian missionary enterprise. For me, it’s essential for fostering a more just and respectful approach to effective Christian witness. By critically examining past practices, prioritizing local cultures, and aligning missionary efforts with the principles of justice-based peace and reconciliation theology, the Christian mission can become a force for genuine spiritual and social transformation.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2024/07/19/decolonizing-and-liberating-the-christian-missionary-enterprise-a-personal-reflection/
WE PARTICIPATED IN CONVENING A PEACE CONSTITUENCY SUPPORTING THE BANGSAMORO PEACE PROCESS
Last Tuesday, 18 June 2024, we participated in the Principles for Peace Constituency Convening held in Davao City, marking a significant step forward in the ongoing Bangsamoro Peace Process. This crucial event, organized by a dedicated body committed to peace—Initiatives for International Dialogue, InciteGov, GZO, Principles for Peace—brought together key stakeholders whose insights and commitment are essential for formulating future strategies and initiatives. As PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI), we joined a diverse array of attendees, members of civil society organizations, and leaders from various sectors involved in the peace process. The event underscored our dedication, along with that of other organizations, to fostering collaboration and dialogue among all stakeholders. We believe that the collective wisdom and dedication of our partners are indispensable in advancing the Bangsamoro Peace Process. This convening provided an opportunity for us to align our strategies and reinforce our commitment to lasting peace in the region.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2024/06/21/we-participated-in-convening-a-peace-constituency-supporting-the-bangsamoro-peace-process/
DREAMING WITH ‘CMDR BRAVO’: TRANSFORMING A REBEL CAMP INTO A SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURIAL COMMUNITY
Last Monday morning, 22 April 2024, our team was invited to listen to the dreams and aspirations of former combatants at Camp Bilal. The discussions happened at the office of MP Abdullah “Cmdr. Bravo” G. Macapaar. The ideas we were hearing resemble that of inclusive development through social enterprise. Brother Musa Mohamad Sanguila gave me time to briefly present the story of Coffee For Peace (CFP) and PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI) as advocates and practitioners of Social Enterprise. It seems Commander Bravo and those around him, especially Ma’am Naglah Lailah Amenah Sanguila, liked the idea. Commander Bravo promised to officially invite us to conduct a training on Coffee Social Entrepreneurial Initiative. In Shaa Allah, we will return to start a partnership with this community.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2024/04/30/a-vision-of-transforming-milf-camp-bilal-into-a-social-entrepreneurial-community/
A REFLECTION ON IRAN’S ATTACK ON ISRAEL: PERSPECTIVES FROM AN ANABAPTIST PEACEBUILDER IN MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES
Last Saturday, 13 April 2024, at around 20:00 GMT, Iran launched a massive aerial assault on Israeli territory, marking the first-ever direct attack from Iranian soil. The attack, dubbed Operation True Promise by Iran, comes just two weeks after an Israeli strike on its consulate in Syria. The Iranian assault lasted approximately five hours. Explosions reverberated across Israeli cities, prompting air raid sirens in over 720 locations as Israeli forces scrambled to intercept the projectiles. This drew applause from many Palestinians in Gaza on Sunday as rare payback for the Israeli offensive on their enclave. While many of my fellow Christian leaders are beating the war-drums calling the US and the Western powers to strike back at Iran, many of my Bangsamoro friends and colleagues celebrate Iran’s attack. Although I understand and sympathize with my Moro brothers and sisters as they perceive the Iranian military action as justice for the Palestinians, my inner conviction calls me to be faithful as active, nonviolent justice advocate and peacebuilding worker.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2024/04/15/a-reflection-on-the-attack-on-israel-by-iran-perspectives-from-an-anabaptist-peacebuilder-in-mindanao-philippines/
THROUGH PRAYERS AND RITUAL OF UNITY, WE CELEBRATED OUR KINSHIP WITH THE PEOPLES OF MINDANAO
Last 08 March 2024, our PBCI-CFP Team travelled to the Ancestral Territories of the Talaandig Indigenous community to participate in the 12th Affirmation of Kinship among Indigenous Peoples, Bangsamoro, and Settlers. As active participants in the tri-people kinship affirmation, we have been privileged to witness firsthand the profound impact of kinship in promoting peace and unity throughout Mindanao. Since its inception in 2012, this annual celebration has stood as a beacon of hope, reminding us of the deep-seated connections that bind together the Indigenous Peoples (IPs), Moros, and Settlers of our cherished region. For us, the highlight of this kinship affirmation is our inter-faith prayer. Through our collective prayers and supplications, we affirm our common humanity and recommit ourselves to the pursuit of love, joy, justice, and peace for all beings.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2024/03/11/through-prayers-and-ritual-of-unity-we-celebrated-our-kinship-with-the-peoples-of-mindanao/
‘2023 CHRISTMAS’ IS MORE OF A COMMEMORATION THAN A CELEBRATION
Christmas 2023 carries a somber weight, serving as a commemoration rather than a jubilation. The world, marred by conflicts in Gaza, the West Bank, and various oppressive wars, casts a shadow on the season’s usual cheer. The heartbreaking inaction of the international community in the face of genocide and ethnic cleansing further dims the festive spirit. It’s a stark reminder of the unfathomable cruelty humans inflict upon their own kind, underscoring the urgent need for compassion, solidarity, and genuine peace in a world torn by inhumanity. The sermon titled “Christ Under the Rubble,” delivered by The Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, pastor of the Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, strikes a chord within me. If Jesus were to be born today, he will be found under the rubble. This poignant sermon resonates deeply, emphasizing the enduring strength found in faith and the embodiment of hope, especially as we experience Christmas 2023 in the context of a decolonizing process.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2023/12/26/appropriate-and-authentic-2024-christmas-is-more-of-commemoration-than-a-celebration/
MEET OUR FAMILY
VISIT COFFEE FOR PEACE
VISIT PEACEBUILDERS COMMUNITY
OUR DISTINCT BUT INSEPARABLE ROLES
