Bulwark Project Foundation Inc.

19/09/2026

Happiest birthday, Glenn! 🎂
An artist par excellence — creative by gift, and a faithful disciple of the Lord by heart. Loyalty and faithfulness are your greatest strength! God bless you abundantly. 🙏

13/09/2026

Bulwark on Air: Living Water — Faith, Action, and Hope

Last Saturday, Bulwark Project Foundation was featured on DXGN 89.9 Spirit FM’s radio program K*K — Kristohanong Kalambuan Alang sa Kalinaw (Christian Progress for Peace), hosted by Charlie Modequillo.

Joining the broadcast online was Fr. Leonardo "B**g" Dublan, Jr., Director of the Archdiocesan Social Action Center (ASAC). Representing Bulwark were BOT Chair Dr. Ma. Iris Melliza, Deputy Director Dr. Manilee R. Araune, and Irish Arlene Perez Cabaluna, Director for Integral Ecology.

Fr. B**g reflected on the spiritual depth of our Season of Creation theme — The Living Water. Dr. Iris shared practical, everyday water conservation: collecting rainwater and reusing wash water at home. Arlene highlighted bamboo as a powerful gift — how it shields soil from erosion, protects communities from floods, and absorbs carbon dioxide. Dr. Manilee spoke of water’s life-giving role in health, weaving this with the profound truth of Christ as the Living Water. Another guest Mr. Rodrigo Bustillo a catechist from Poveda Parish and a member of the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council also addressed the harm caused by water pollution — the toll of climate change and improper waste disposal — calling us to cherish and guard this vital gift.

It was a truly enriching exchange — faith, wisdom, science, and care flowing together as one.

We do not only receive the Living Water — we are called to become it. May we be streams of healing for our land, guardians of every river and drop, and bearers of life for all God’s creation, now and for generations to come.

13/09/2026

A Thousand Forests at Saint Pedro Poveda College – Davao

Last September 10 at 4 PM, Bulwark Project Foundation held a special screening of A Thousand Forests at Saint Pedro Poveda College – Davao. The event was warmly welcomed by the school administration led by School Director Rudelyn Demerin, together with dedicated teachers and parents. Bulwark was represented by BOT Chair Dr. Ma. Iris Melliza and Deputy Director Dr. Manilee R. Araune.

Those present deeply appreciated the film and look forward to sharing it with their students at a scheduled time ahead.

Every story shared plants a seed. May these lessons of care take root in every young heart — growing into love for our Earth, now and always.

13/09/2026

She is Bulwark's pride and a constant inspiration to us all- and every day we thank God for her.

HCDC TRIVIA 9: The First Lady President of HCDC: Dr. Maria Iris A. Melliza 🔍

Born in Leon, Iloilo, on October 8, 1940, Maria Iris A. Milleza is the daughter of Carlos Acebuque and Maria Cadiz. She is a multi-awarded educator and a dynamic church worker whose long list of recognitions include the Papal Award, May Carvel Award, Bidlisiw Award, Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, and Datu Bago Award.

Graduating valedictorian from her elementary and high school studies, she enrolled in Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City; she earned her degree in 1965. That same year, she started her journey as an academician by teaching at the Assumption School of Davao (ASD). Nine years thereafter, she was appointed school directress.

As part of her educational sojourn, she took up graduate studies at ADDU where she finished her Master’s in Education in 1976. That same year, she became Misereor scholar on Development Education at the University of Santo Tomas (UST). Due to commitments, a setup was made for her finish her doctorate degree at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) in 1992.

Dr. Melliza’s stint with ASD (now Assumption College of Davao), lasted thirty-three years. After she retired, she accepted the offer to become president of HCDC, which she held for fifteen years. As the first lady administrator, she left behind a legacy of actions that include a new gym and the construction of the Maritime Training Center at Camudmud, Babak, Island Garden City of Samal. While managing the campus affairs, she also taught at the institute’s graduate school.

Her non-academic engagements are voluminous. These include involvements in consumerism, feminism, non-government organizations, culture and the arts, research, and pastoral works, and memberships in PILIPINA, Commission on the Culture and the Arts, Konsumo Dabaw, Mindanao Association of Museums, Inc., Davao Verbum Dei Media Foundation, Inc., and Archdiocesan Commission on Cultural Heritage of the Church.

📸 Dr. Ma. Iris A. Melliza (1995). (Source: HCDC Archives, digitized by the Institute of Davao Studies)

❤️🤍💙

12/09/2026

A Thousand Forests, One Common Home

On September 9, 2026, Bulwark Project Foundation was represented by BOT chair Dr. Ma. Iris Melliza and Deputy Director Dr. Manilee R. Araune as they hosted a special screening of A Thousand Forests for members of the Archdiocesan EcoConvergence Team at the Davao Social Action (DSAC) Office. The film stirred hearts and minds, leaving viewers deeply moved by its message of stewardship and hope.

Following the screening, the group met to finalize plans for the Season of Creation:

- September 18–19 — Ceremonial Tree Planting & Usufruct Signing
- September 19 — International Coastal Cleanup
- September 26 — MOU Signing & Mangrove Planting

Participants described the film as truly educational and transformative. Inspired by what they saw, they expressed a strong desire to bring this powerful story to their own parishes — a movement waiting to grow, guided by their parish priests and supported by shared resources.

What begins as a shared vision takes root through shared hands. May every tree we plant, every shore we heal, and every story we share grow into a living legacy — honoring God’s gift of creation, for our people today and all generations to come.

07/09/2026

Bulwark Connects: Forming Youth Advocates, Growing Together in Mission

This morning, Bulwark CEO Dennis Villegas met with former seminarians and members of New Breakthrough Consultancy and also youth advocates Mr. Narciso “Sisoy” Kintanar and Mr. Norwen Blasquez to exchange insights on building vibrant youth ministry — especially for St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Laverna.

Drawing from his distinguished background — the only layperson ever to serve as Director of the Davao Archdiocesan Youth Apostolate (DAYCA), plus a decade as Branch Leader and later Regional Director of Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon–Davao — Mr. Villegas emphasized designing programs that thoughtfully meet the needs of youth across the 4 Cs: Core, Committed, Connected, and Crowd.

Mr. Kintanar, a consultant par excellence, generously shared his wise, practical approaches to resolving organizational conflict and inspiring members to give of their best. Meanwhile, Mr. Blasquez — with his deep formation in Integral Ecology and Theology — offered rich, thoughtful perspectives on meaningful parish engagement that speaks to young hearts today.

The gathering proved wonderfully productive and deeply satisfying — brightened further by Deputy Director Dr. Mans Araune’s baon of yummy "sab-a" bananas and thoughtful retreat ideas!

Truly, good mission happens when we gather with open hearts, open minds — and yes, plenty of good bananas! From shared wisdom to shared snacks, we left nourished in body, mind, and spirit, ready to walk alongside our young people: planting seeds of faith, growing leaders of character, and building a youth ministry where every young soul feels seen, loved, and truly at home. After all — great things grow when we grow together!

07/09/2026

Bulwark Joins Archdiocesan EcoConvergence: Stewardship for Creation & Living Water

Bulwark Project Foundation was warmly invited by Fr. B**g Dublan, Director of the Archdiocesan Social Action Center (ASAC), to the recent EcoConvergence meeting held September 2 at the ASAC office. Deputy Director Dr. Manilee Araune represented Bulwark in this vital gathering of partners united in care for our common home.

The meeting laid out a rich, meaningful Season of Creation observance running September 1 – October 11, 2026 under the beautiful theme: “The Living Water.” Beginning September 6, the World Day of Prayer for Creation will be offered at every Sunday Mass, while Archbishop Romulo Valles will issue a special Pastoral Letter to guide the faithful in this season of ecological conversion.

Key activities ahead:

- Sept 12 – PSAM planning meeting
- Sept 18–19 – Ceremonial Tree Planting & Usufruct Signing at Datu Ladayin, Arakan
- Sept 19 – Coastal Clean‑up (venue to be confirmed)
- Sept 26 – Mangrove Planting & MOU signing at Lasang
- Oct 4 – Blessing of Plants and Animals across all parishes
- Oct 11 – Culmination Mass in all parishes

Bulwark will also share its commitment through film: we will screen A Thousand Forests for EcoConvergence participants, with plans to bring this powerful story of nature and hope to communities across different vicariates.

As we walk this Season of Creation together, may every tree planted, every prayer lifted, and every community gathering be a living testament of our faith in action — honoring the gift of “Living Water,” protecting our forests and coasts, and building a culture of solidarity where all creation thrives in God’s abundant grace.

27/08/2026

We stand with Nepal.
Let us pray.
Let us act.

We are all deeply saddened and shaken by the devastating flash floods in Nepal, which struck last August 26, 2026. An earthquake is suspected to have struck the region, triggering a massive avalanche of ice and rock, followed by a powerful landslide. The enormous wall of mud, rock, and debris blocked rivers, creating a sudden and powerful torrent that roared downstream, sweeping through villages and market areas. At least 160 people have been confirmed dead, with hundreds more still missing.

Events like these remind us of the immense and humbling power of nature. When faced with its fury, we can only pray, prepare, and stand together with courage and resilience.

But while some disasters are beyond our control, many are intensified—or even caused—by human actions.

Here in the Philippines, there are tragedies we can help prevent through responsible choices, environmental stewardship, and collective action.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆.

23/08/2026

Build community, build committed relationships.