October 20 to 24, 2024. It’s just days away. The Philippine leg of the 3rd World March for Peace and Non-violence, which is now circulating the globe, will take off. After some months of planning and working out activities by a dedicated team of peace lovers and advocates, the World March will touch Philippine shores, going to three places – Malolos in Bulacan, Baguio City and Sagada, two host destinations in the Cordillera Administrative Region. The WM base team representative in the person of Wilfredo Alfsen is coming all the way from Chile to take part.

After the 1st World March in 2009 during which the Philippines was the third country along its route, here is a quick look at what’s in store for the 3rd edition of the World March in the Philippines.

Rafael de la Rubia, founder of World without Wars and Violence, addressing the Asia-Pacific organizers during a coordination meeting, with the Philippine leg organizers (Karina Lagdameo Santillan, Genevieve Kupang, Dom-an Macagne, Tiziana Volta & Margherita Maffeis-Natale) actively participating.

Malolos Bulacan

A historical city, Malolos was the site of the constitutional convention of 1898, the Malolos Convention, that led to the establishment of the First Philippine Republic, at the sanctuary of the Barasoain Church. The team, spearheaded by A. Margherita Maffeis-Natale, Director MaffeisNetwork SA, is organizing a feeding program in one of the barangays (a local community) and a peace event on Oct 20, Sunday. On October 21, Monday, the WM team will have a historical cultural visit in Malolos and will depart to go to Baguio City. On October 23 back from Sagada, there will be another event in Malolos: solar light installation, created by Foundation Liter of Light (and RC Bulacan).

Baguio City

Known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines,” owing to its cool climate since the city is located approximately 4,810 feet (1,470 meters) above mean sea level, The 3 rd World March activities will take place in Baguio Central University with an evening program organized by Dr. Genevieve Balance Kupang, dean of the graduate school and the international relations officer, together with her team of administrators, faculty, students and volunteers from the university.

The evening program’s highlights are: a song for peace by the BCU Chamber choir, messages for peace by city dignitaries, the participation of a Gazan refugee family, and the WM base team representative, as can be seen in this program.

BCU Peace Event Program for the 3rd World March. Credit: Merline L. Ignas, BSED & Sheenah Pearl L. Pangda, Rpm, MAGC.

A pre-WM event was held organized by the Supreme Student Council of BCU headed by Ivy Grace M. Bunnat, SSC President and Kathleen Geryls B. Chua, the SSC Vice President and the rest of the SSC officers. It was the International Day of Peace Poster Making Competition which had their awarding ceremonies on October 16, 2024 at the Dr. Margarita J. Fernandez Hall. The theme was “Ka-PEACE-tahan: Cultivating a Culture of Peace.” The judges for the competition were Mrs. Jamaica D. Luisa Simon, Sir Jomard Calamba, and Dr. Michael Sebullen. 

Poster Making Competition, “Ka-Peace-tahan: Cultivating the Culture of Peace.” Photo credit: BCU The Flame.

Sagada, Mountain Province

On October 22, the 3rd World March will be held in Sagada, Mountain Province, in the Cordillera Administrative Region as part of the Philippine journey.

Flag of Sagada, Mountain Province

In the morning of October 22, activities being planned in Sagada are: A Walk for Peace and Nonviolence, Formation of Human Peace Symbols, a Forum: Nurturing a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence, Signing of the 3rd World March Manifesto and Ethical Commitment to Peace and Non-violence.

In the afternoon, the plan is to have a Press Conference, a Tour of Exhibits and Product displays, an Origami Workshop for 1 Million Doves: STOP Violence Against Children, and Planting of Trees for Peace, Resilience, and Healing.

During the morning of the World March’s last day, the WM team representative, Wilfredo Alsen, hopes to have a courtesy visit with a high-ranking official engaged in peace and reconciliation. And, to have an interchange with some of the long-time humanists living in the Philippines

Yes. all in all, a four-day WMPN is in the works, and about to take off, in the Philippines.

Karina Lagdameo Santillan, Genevieve Kupang, Dom-an Macagne, and Tiziana Volta (joining from Milan) collaborating to organize the Philippine leg of the 3 rd World March for Peace and Non-Violence.