Global Peace Foundation Philippines

23/09/2026

Global Peace Foundation Philippines, ASEAN-BAC, and SM Cares Forge Partnership for ASEAN Youth Entrepreneurship Summit

PASAY CITY, Philippines — September 18, 2026 — Global Peace Foundation Philippines (GPF Philippines), the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), and SM Cares formalized their partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing held in Pasay City on September 18, 2026, in preparation for the upcoming ASEAN Youth Entrepreneurship Summit on October 12, 2026, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Representing the three organizations at the MOU signing were Leonard Faustino, Executive Director of Global Peace Foundation Philippines; Royston Cabunag, Program Director for Children and Youth of SM Cares; and Joey Concepcion, Chair of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council.

The partnership brings together three organizations committed to creating meaningful opportunities for young people to develop their leadership, entrepreneurial, and social impact potential. Through the MOU, GPF Philippines, ASEAN-BAC, and SM Cares will collaborate to promote youth entrepreneurship, leadership development, innovation, and meaningful engagement among young people across the ASEAN region.

The upcoming ASEAN Youth Entrepreneurship Summit will provide a platform for young entrepreneurs, aspiring business leaders, students, and youth advocates to connect with business leaders, innovators, and fellow changemakers. The summit will encourage participants to exchange ideas, explore opportunities, and gain insights that can help them develop initiatives and enterprises that contribute to inclusive and sustainable development.

For GPF Philippines, the partnership builds on its continuing commitment to empowering young people to become moral and innovative leaders who contribute to peacebuilding and community development. By connecting entrepreneurship with values-based leadership, the organization aims to encourage young people to pursue opportunities that create positive impact not only for themselves, but also for their families and communities.

The collaboration with ASEAN-BAC also creates opportunities for Filipino youth to engage with the broader ASEAN business community and gain a deeper understanding of the region’s evolving economic landscape, opportunities, and challenges.

SM Cares’ participation further strengthens the partnership’s focus on creating platforms where young people can learn, connect, and participate in initiatives that contribute to stronger communities and a more inclusive future.

The ASEAN Youth Entrepreneurship Summit, scheduled for October 12 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, is expected to bring together young people from different sectors and backgrounds for a day of learning, networking, entrepreneurship, and collaboration.

The September 18 MOU signing marks an important milestone toward the summit and reflects the shared commitment of GPF Philippines, ASEAN-BAC, and SM Cares to empower the next generation of ASEAN entrepreneurs and leaders through collaboration, innovation, and values-driven leadership.

Global Peace Foundation

09/09/2026

Bringing Light and Opportunity to Sitio 21: Partners Unite to Support Remote Community in Sarangani

Maitum, Sarangani — In a remote community in Maitum, Sarangani, access to basic services, infrastructure, and economic opportunities remains a daily challenge for families living far from the barangay proper.

Located in Sitio 21, Barangay Tuanadatu, the community is approximately an hour away from the barangay center. Its geographic isolation has made access to essential services and development opportunities more difficult for its residents.

Recognizing the needs of underserved and geographically remote communities, Global Peace Foundation Philippines (GPF Philippines), with the support of Bless Microfinance Corporation (BMC) and in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 12 and the local government, is bringing the All-Lights Village (ALV) Project to Sitio 21.

The initiative will benefit 100 households, including 28 families who are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and 72 non-4Ps households. The community also has a documented presence of Indigenous Peoples, particularly members of the Tboli and Manobo/Manuvu communities.

Through the partnership, the All-Lights Village Project aims to provide sustainable lighting solutions that can contribute to improved safety, education, livelihood activities, and overall community well-being.

For families living in Sitio 21, daily life is closely tied to agriculture. Most residents depend on farming and the cultivation of crops such as abaca, banana, sweet potato (kamote), and vegetables as their primary sources of livelihood. However, the community’s distance from the barangay proper presents additional challenges in accessing services, markets, and other opportunities.

The support of Bless Microfinance Corporation plays an important role in making the initiative possible. Through its partnership with GPF Philippines, BMC continues to support efforts that bring sustainable and practical solutions to underserved Filipino communities, particularly families in geographically isolated areas.

The project is also strengthened through collaboration with the DSWD and the local government, ensuring that the initiative is aligned with existing community development efforts and reaches families who need support the most. This multi-sector partnership reflects the importance of bringing together civil society organizations, the private sector, national government agencies, and local government units to address the needs of vulnerable and underserved communities.

Beyond providing light, the All-Lights Village Project seeks to create opportunities for families and children. Reliable lighting can allow students to study after sunset, help families safely carry out activities in the evening, and provide residents with additional time for livelihood and household activities.

For Indigenous Peoples and other families living in remote communities like Sitio 21, access to basic infrastructure is an important step toward greater inclusion and sustainable development.

The initiative reflects Global Peace Foundation Philippines’ commitment to empowering Filipino communities toward sustainability and peace. Through partnerships with organizations such as Bless Microfinance Corporation, DSWD, and local government units, GPF Philippines continues to bring development initiatives closer to communities that are often among the hardest to reach.

In Sitio 21, the partnership goes beyond bringing light into homes. It represents a shared commitment to building safer, more inclusive, and more sustainable communities—where every family has the opportunity to move toward a brighter future.

Global Peace Foundation Department of Social Welfare and Development - DSWD

08/09/2026

📣 SAVE THE NEW DATE!📣

The ASEAN Youth Entrepreneurship Summit 2026 (AYES 2026) is officially happening on October 12, 2026 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena!

New date, same mission: bringing together young leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to connect, learn, and help shape the future of entrepreneurship in the ASEAN region.

🗓 October 12, 2026
⏰ 12:00 NN – 6:00 PM
📍 SM Mall of Asia Arena

Mark your calendars and get ready for a bigger comeback. See YOUth at ! ✨

31/08/2026

29/08/2026

We prove that young people can!

27/08/2026

27/08/2026

Together, we lead. Together, we serve. Together, we build a more peaceful future. ✨

27/08/2026

🧡 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓'𝐒 𝐀 𝐖𝐑𝐀𝐏, 𝐋𝐀𝐎𝐀𝐆!

Global Youth Summit 2026 gathered young people, leaders, advocates, and partners in Laoag City for a morning full of learning, meaningful conversations, and inspiration.

Thank you for showing up, speaking up, and proving that youth-led action can create lasting change.

The summit ends here, but the momentum doesn't stop. See you at the next one! ✨

27/08/2026

✋ 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐒 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓

At the Youth Pledge, young leaders stood together in Laoag City and made a promise — to turn today's conversations into tomorrow's action.

This isn't the end of the summit. It's the beginning of the work.

27/08/2026

🎙️ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐑 𝐈𝐒 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍

Ms. Romelia Tagama-Arcano, Mr. Xavier R. Ruiz, and Mr. Marvin Xavier N. Vea sit together to field questions straight from the youth delegates. No topic off the table.