Socio-Political Transformation
As faith-based conflict transformation workers here in Mindanao, we continually remind ourselves that the everyday reality we experience is a harmonization of spiritual and physical realities. Our courage is based on a faith conviction that the Spirit of the Creator is the highest and the most powerful Spirit in this harmonized reality.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2018/07/31/biblical-nonviolence-is-based-on-a-holistic-view-of-reality/
While praying for peace, I joined the civil society organizations in Davao City who gathered together to publicly support the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Here, I was responding to a couple of interview questions by a local television reporter.
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2018/07/11/praying-for-our-legislators-as-they-deliberate-on-the-bangsamoro-basic-law/
This morning, Joji and I celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary. We did this in the midst of sadness because her mother passed away three days ago. We helped in leading the funeral services. What a paradoxical day!
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2018/07/01/reflective-notes-during-a-paradoxical-day-of-marriage-and-life-celebration/
Justice-Based PeaceBuilding Joji and I are constantly faced with enormous instances of social injustices. Indigenous Peoples are being pushed out of their ancestral domains by state and non-state armed forces. Local farmers are pushed deeper into poverty due to unjust trading manipulations by the rich and powerful. Government promises of autonomy and right to …
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2018/06/28/being-jesus-witnesses-in-the-context-of-historical-injustices-part-3-of-3/
Historical Injustices The present armed-conflicts in the Philippines, along with many wars and violence in the global realities of the 21st century, are rooted in various historical injustices that have traumatized various nations, especially many Indigenous Peoples, over several generations. Historical injustice, according to Encyclopedia Britannica, is “past moral wrong committed by previously living people that has …
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2018/06/18/being-jesus-witnesses-in-the-context-of-historical-injustices-part-2-of-3/
Being Jesus’ Witnesses Jesus—Our Justice and Peace. When peace theologians and church leaders taught me to read and interpret the Bible through the life, character, and work of Jesus, I felt so liberated! Being raised up in the midst of the violent context under the dark years of Marcos’ martial rule in the Philippines, …
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2018/06/08/being-jesus-witnesses-in-the-context-of-historical-injustices-part-1-of-3/
My peacebuilding colleague seems to have lost his confidence in non-violence. In an online conversation, he said: “Kaka Lakan, we have tried applying active non-violent approaches. Ten years. Ten long years… They’re killing us slowly… We might as well die fighting. Sorry, I’ll have to pick up my equipment again…” Such were the words of …
Permanent link to this article: https://waves.ca/2018/05/28/field-notes-and-reflection-on-the-meaning-of-violent-extremism/
Honours and distinctions we received for excellence and impact
