Inter-Faith Forum for Solidarity and Peace

07/03/2025

4th Inter-Religious Dialogue DOPIM Assembly
Tema: "Nostra Aetate @60: Hagit sa PAgpadayon sa pagpanday sa Kalinaw, Kahiusahan ug Kalig-on"
An Encounter to Remember
February 24- 26, 2025

The Community Formation Center (CFC), DOPIM Institute for Ministries Inc. SMT, Ozamiz City in collaboration with the Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace (IFSP) Pagadian headed by Rev. Fr. Félix Tigoy successfully held their 4th IRD DOPIM Assembly at Balay Bisaya, DAO in Pagadian City. It was participated by Muslim, Lumad and Christians from the Dioceses of Dipolog, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Iligan and Marawi.

Bishop Edwin de la Pena, Bishop of the Prelature of Marawi was the keynote speaker who expounded on the historical background of the Nostra Aetate @60 and its ongoing relevance now more than ever in the pursuit for peace and unity here in our beloved Mindanao, a tri-peoples land beset with many challenges and struggles to keep the peace and harmony in this shared territory we call our common home.

Rev. Fr. Rex Rocamora, SSC - CBCP Executive Secretary gave an enlightening presentation saying that Peace is our home and Frienship is our boat to attain peace and unity. He also shared his many interesting encounters and experiences since he assumed his new leadership role as head of the Episcopal Commission on Inter-religious Dialogue of the CBCP as well as his vision and future plans of IRD in Mindanao.

The participants were accommodated at the Farmers' Haven, walking distance from the session hall venue in Balay Bisaya. They held a Cultural Night on the second day of the assembly and ended with a Statement expressing their common stand as IRD DOPIM in relation to their ongoing commitment to pursue peace and unity, solidarity and collaboration vis a vis the many issues and concerns affecting the plight of the Mindanaoans today.

All the 88 participants received a certificate of participation at the end of the assembly that closed with a solemn closing liturgy.

IFSP and CFC wished to extend their gratitude to all those who volunteered and took time out to help in the assembly proper. Special thanks to Msgr. Belstar Ediang STL, Vicar General of the Diocese of Pagadian, the parishes and individuals for their financial support and for the generosity of the Province for making the event a memorable one!

30/11/2024

Mindanao Week of Peace 2024
Peace Caravan

28/11/2024

PEACE CARAVAN
Mindanao Week of Peace 2024

The Mindanao Week of Peace officially began today, November 28, 2024, it being the last Thursday of the month of November. A Peace Caravan was launched by the Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace (IFSP) in close collaboration with the Vicariate of St. Joseph the Worker of the Diocese of Pagadian.
The Peace Caravan started at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Lantian with several parishes and sub-parishes coming from Tigbao, Danlugan, San Pedro, Lantian, Tukuran, Tugas, San Jose, Dumalinao, etc participating. They were joined by the PNP Tabak Division and the National Police from the City Government. The Peace Caravan headed towards Pagadian City and went around the city proper before converging at the City Plaza.
A short but meaningful program took place with a Tri-People Prayer led by Tomanggog He rico Gumibao (Subanen), Roshni Lapasaran (Muslim) and Elena Cuaresma (Christian). A welcome address was given by Saida Lapasaran followed by the inspirational messages from the invited guest speakers in the person of LTC. Rolando E. Vargas Jr., PA Commanding Officer, 53rd IB and PCapt. Virginia Bartion, City Police with Rev. Fr. Nestor Bahala and Rev. Fr Felix Tigoy. An intermission number was spontaneously given by Jessie from Danlugan to the delight of the audience!
Sr. Marjorie Guingona gave the closing remarks and led in the community singing Let There be Peace on Earth enjoining every one to form part of the Peace Circle.
The theme "Sustaining the Gains of Peace, Solidarity, and Resilience" calls on people to:
1. Celebrate the progress made towards peace
2. Commit to peace, solidarity, and resilience
3. Choose peace in everyday actions and decisions
4. Promote understanding, inclusion, and collaboration
5. Support efforts that nurture peace in communities
6. Create spaces for dialogue and growth
7. Empower the youth

Daghang Salamat sa tanan! Ipadayon nato ang kalinaw dinhi sa Mindanao!

26/11/2024

MINDANAO WEEK OF PEACE 2024
DAY OF PRAYER

November 26, 2024. The Mindanao Week of Peace spearheaded by Pastor Loricel Beloy Bahia from the UCCP organized a Day of Prayer at the Cathedral Lay Formation Center participated by different members of the Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace, Rev. Fr. Mike Cahanap, Rev. Fr. Nestor Bahala, lay leaders from the Diocese of Pagadian and members of the City Police. The event started with a Tri-People Prayer followed by the Welcome Remarks of Rev. Fr. Felix Tigoy, the lead convenor of the IFSP. The Reading of Verses from the Bible and Qur'an was done by Pastor Michael Gubot and B**g Balimbingan. The highlight of the Day of Prayer was the creative presentation and message of Carlito Camahalan Amalla, an Agusanon Manobo who is currently an Art Professor at De La Salle Benilde in Manila. He beautifully presented the Tales of the Manobo with a puppet named Bagani who interpreted the song "Noong Unang Panahon" sung by Kuh Ledesma. He then gave an inspirational message about the importance of peace and the role of women and the indigenous peoples in making peace a reality in our homes and in our land especially here in Mindanao.
Rev. Fr. Mike Cahanap gave his words of challenge on how we can sustain peace and live it out in our daily lives. Reflection sharing was given by Tomanggong Henrico Gumibao for the Subanens, Saida Lapasaran for the Muslim and Pastor Rey Salvador for the Christians.
The event ended with Pastor Loricel Beloy Bahia giving the closing remarks with the singing of the Harmony Song.

25/11/2024

REPOUSSE ART WORKSHOP
Mindanao Week of Peace 2024

November 23, 2024. A Repousse Art Workshop was held at the Holy Infant Seminary facilitated by Carlito Camahalan Amalla from the Agusanon Manobo tribe who is currently an Art Professor at the De La Salle College of St Benilde in Manila. The power outage did not stop this event, on the contrary, it was a very engaging afternoon participated by all the 37 seminarians.

25/11/2024

MUGNA SA PAGADIAN 2024

The annual Mindanao Week of Peace began with a Puppetry and Repousse Arts Workshop at the Holy Infant Seminary, Balangasan District, Pagadian City last November 23, 2024. The guest facilitator was Carlito Camahalan Amalla, a true blooded member of the Agusanon Manobo tribe and an art professor at the De La Salle College of Benilde in Manila.
The Puppetry workshop was participated by 35 tri-people youth coming from the different parts of Zamboanga del Sur. Their enthusiasm and openness to learn and gain new friends was evident in their active listening and engagement in learning how to make a puppet as a tool for peace and dialogue among each other.

The Repousse Workshop was participated by the 37 Holy Infant Seminarians in the afternoon who were equally eager to learn this particular form of religious art. Despite the afternoon heat due to the power outage, they were very much engaged in coming up with a unique and beautiful work of art using brass metal sheets.

The Committee on Youth, Culture and Arts headed by Sr. Marjorie Guingona, SAC is grateful to the many individuals who have generously shared their blessings in the realization of this first ever Puppetry and Repousse Art Workshop for our tri-people youth and seminarians in the Diocese of Pagadian.

28/10/2024

28/10/2024

IFSP monthly meeting held at CONZARD in Begong, ZDS
October 28, 2024

31/07/2024