May 13, 2006

Dear friends and fellow travelers in the quest for Peace,

The Philippines is an archipelago divided, not only by the seas that separate its islands, but by the prejudices, conflicts, disagreements and distrust among its people. There are still armed secessionists in the South. Skirmishes with insurgent rebels continue in the countryside. Terrorist cells are lurking in the dark waiting to wreck havoc and harm innocent civilian lives. Coup plotters recently escaped military detention and threaten to forcibly depose the President. There are violent protests in our city streets, and there are deep-rooted conflicts in the agrarian and labor fronts. Political issues divide our people. Corruption abounds in high places. Organized crime strike their hapless victims at every opportunity. Global terrorism threatens the world with weapons of mass destruction. Recently, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as commander-in-chief of Philippine armed forces and national police, declared an "all-out war" against communist insurgents.

In these troubled times it is not enough that we condemn war and violence. While it is easy to denounce anything we find to be wrong around us, what we need to do is take positive action. We should aggressively promote a culture of non-violence vis-Ã -vis the prevailing culture of hatred and condemnation. We must encourage dialogue and set into motion the mechanisms of understanding and cooperation. We must broaden the arena in promoting peace to include our homes, our schools, our communities, our businesses and work places, and in the affairs of governance. We must wage peace more resolutely as others wage war.

Many Filipinos and a great number of our youth do not realize the importance of promoting a culture of peace as a vital key in the attainment of our national development and growth. Trapped in poverty, the poor cannot look any further beyond eking out their bare subsistence from day to day.

Still there are those who, under the same circumstances as the rest of us, take the courage to stand their ground and continue to care for others and seek the welfare of their fellowmen; those exceptional few who in the midst of confusion and strife, gallantly pursue peace while giving others hope.

Let's us seek them out, learn of their works, share their thoughts, be inspired by their dreams, and join them hand in hand in pursuing a common aspiration - that of an abundant world, living in peace and harmony for the benefit of all mankind.

Join us in this exciting journey for Peace. Let us leave our children with a better world to live in and a legacy that will last far beyond our lifetimes.

Don Flordeliza, Jr.
Founder & Executive Director
e-mail: don@centre4peace.tk