Peace Advocates Zamboanga

21/07/2026

𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐙𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚 invites all 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫 (𝐀𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭) 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐬 to an online Kamustahan and Dialogue on 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 30, 2026, starting at 1:00 PM onwards.

Let's catch up, celebrate our shared journey, and exchange ideas on how we can continue promoting peace in our communities.

Simply send us a message to this page to receive the meeting link.

We can't wait to see you online!

29/06/2026

On 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 27, 2026, Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ), together with the Interreligious Solidarity for Peace (ISP), ZABIDA, the Barangay Government of Sta. Maria, the Tawasil family, artists, and peace advocates, gathered for the 𝐑𝐞-𝐔𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐀𝐌 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.

Originally commissioned by Peace Advocates Zamboanga and unveiled on 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 29, 2010 , the SALAAM Monument was created by internationally acclaimed Mindanao artist 𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥 as a public expression of peace. Inspired by the realities of conflict and hope in Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago, the monument continues to remind us of our shared aspiration for dialogue, understanding, and peaceful coexistence.

Earlier this year, the monument became the subject of public discussion after it was repainted, altering its original appearance. Rather than allowing the issue to divide the community, it became an opportunity to practice the very values that the monument represents.

Through the initiative of 𝐌𝐬. 𝐑𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐓𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥, wife of the late artist, a constructive dialogue was initiated to preserve the artistic integrity and symbolic meaning of the SALAAM Monument. Guided by mutual respect and a shared commitment to preserving the monument's legacy, these collaborative efforts paved the way for its successful restoration.

The restoration itself was made possible by the 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐙𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚 through 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧, City Councilor 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐁.𝐆. 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐚, the 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 (LCCAH), particularly 𝐌𝐬. 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐨, 𝐌𝐬. 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚 𝐘𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐘𝐈 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐲, 𝐌𝐬. 𝐀𝐦𝐲𝐫𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐝 and 𝗦𝘁𝗮. 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝗛𝗼𝗻. 𝗟𝗼𝘀 𝗘𝗹𝗶 𝗕. 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀, through dedication and artistry of three young artists— 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐂. 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐝, 𝐋𝐏𝐓, 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐳 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐦 𝐙. 𝐀𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐩𝐚, 𝐋𝐏𝐓, and 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐨 𝐆. 𝐀𝐥𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐳 𝐉𝐫., 𝐋𝐏𝐓.

The re-unveiling ceremony was graced by Department of Tourism Undersecretary for Halal Tourism and Muslim Concerns, Ms. Myra Paz Valderossa-Abubakar, ZABIDA Chairperson Atty. Jose Manuel S. Mamauag, ZABIDA President Dr. Grace J. Rebollos, Barangay Chairperson Los Eli B. Angeles, Ms. Rohana Tawasil and her children, members of the Interreligious Solidarity for Peace (ISP), fellow artists, peace advocates, community leaders, and partners who continue to champion the culture of peace in Zamboanga.

The ceremony served not only as the restoration of a monument but also as a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to peace. It reminded us that symbols endure because communities choose to protect the values they embody.

As the SALAAM Monument stands once again in its intended form, may it continue to inspire present and future generations to choose dialogue over division, understanding over prejudice, and hope over conflict.

The restoration of the SALAAM Monument is proof that peace is not only represented by a monument—it is realized through dialogue, collaboration, and our shared commitment to one another.

02/06/2026

ADVANCING PEACE AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES EDUCATION IN THE SUBANON CONTEXT: LEARNING CONVERSATIONS WITH EDUCATORS

As part of the project "Strengthening Peace and Cultural Resilience in Western Mindanao,"selected teachers and school heads of the seven (7) partner schools in the Labuan District gathered on May 29-30, 2026 at Patalon, Zamboanga City for a two-day Learning Conversations on the Integration of Peace Education and Indigenous Peoples Education (IPED) in the Subanon context.

The activity served as a meaningful platform for teachers and school heads to deepen their understanding of Peace Education and Indigenous Peoples Education, appreciate the rich culture and Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSPs) of the Subanon people, and engage in conversations on culturally responsive and peace-oriented education.

Specifically, the Learning Conversations aimed to deepen participants' appreciation of the Subanon IKSPs and their contribution to promoting peace and harmonious communities; strengthen understanding of the integration of Indigenous Peoples Education (IPED) and Peace Education within the GMRC curriculum; and familiarize educators with the supplementary learning resource materials currently undergoing review and validation prior to implementation.

The participating schools included Campo Uno Elementary School, Cabonegro Elementary School, Labuan Central School, Latap Elementary School, Lacumba Elementary School, Limpapa Elementary School, and Monte Central Indigenous Peoples School.Together, these schools serve as the pilot partner schools in the initiative to strengthen culturally responsive and peace-oriented education in the Subanon context.

The activity was led and facilitated by the core members of the Peace Education Program Council, 𝐌𝐫. 𝐇𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐧 𝐒. 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐲𝐚 of Ayala National High School and 𝐌𝐫. 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐀. 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐬 of Cabaluay National High School, with the support of the school heads from the seven (7) partner schools, Subanon educators and elders.

The initiative also continues to benefit from the guidance of 𝐃𝐫. 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐏. 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐢𝐨 , who recently retired from the the Department of Education but remains steadfast in her commitment to advancing Peace Education and Indigenous Peoples Education as the PAZ Project Specialist for Peace and IP Education component.

This activity forms part of the continuing efforts of the project to promote culturally responsive, inclusive, and peace-oriented education and was made possible through the support of Manos Unidas.

28/04/2026

Want to get to know PAZ more?
Peace Advocates Zamboanga Foundation, Inc. started in 1992 to answer conflict with connection.

PAZ knows peace is more than the absence of war. It’s Muslims, Christians, and Indigenous communities choosing dialogue over division, respect over fear, and cooperation over conflict.

For 30+ years, they’ve proven one thing: We don’t have to be the same to stand together. Different in many ways, united for peace.

Be part of the story.

23/04/2026

What does peace mean to you?

“Peace is…” — how would you finish that sentence?

Share your thoughts in the comments and let your voice be part of a bigger conversation.

Because peace is not just something we hope for—
it’s something we create, together.

28/03/2026

20/03/2026

𝗘𝗶𝗱’𝗹 𝗙𝗶𝘁𝗿 𝗔𝗹-𝗠𝘂𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗸! 🌙✨

On this blessed occasion of Eid, ZABIDA, Campo Vida, and PAZ extend our warmest greetings to all our brothers and sisters celebrating this special day. May this day bring peace to your hearts and renewed hope to our communities.

May this Eid remind us of the values of generosity, gratitude, and faith that guide us in our daily lives.

Taqabbal Allahu Minna Wa Minkum!

27/02/2026

Happy 19th Founding Anniversary, Youth Solidarity for Peace! Mabuhay, and may you continue to inspire peace and solidarity!

23/02/2026

WRITESHOP ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUBANON CONTEXTUALIZED LEARNING MATERIALS FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND PEACE EDUCATION
February 20–22, 2026 | San Ramon Elementary School

𝗗𝗮𝘆 3 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 | 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 22, 2026

The third day of the writeshop focused on the presentation and constructive review and refinement.

Members of the Peace Education Council played a key role in reviewing the outputs, particularly in ensuring meaningful integration of Peace Education concepts. Dr. Gloria P. Carpio provided technical guidance to ensure that drafted materials are aligned with the curriculum standards and Values Education/GMRC competencies of the Department of Education. Subanon leader and a public school teacher Mr. Rolando Bernardo provided guidance to ensure cultural integrity and relevance to the Subanon context.

The activity concluded with consolidated feedback and recommendations, and agreed next steps for lesson exemplars refinement.

This initiative is implemented through the partnership of PAZ and the Department of Education-Zamboanga City Schools Division under the project 𝘊𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘞𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘰, with support from Manos Unidas.