Quezon City, Philippines —Building on the momentum of its two prior gatherings, the Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) hosted the 3rd National Peace Convention together with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) on August 9, 2025 at the Quezon City Meetings, Incentives, Conference & Exhibitions (M.I.C.E) Center.
With the theme, “Uniting for Peace and Fulfilling Humanity’s Duty Together,” this year’s convention aims to institutionalize peace efforts across various sectors, inspire transformative cooperation, and spotlight youth and education as critical pillars for long-term cultural and societal transformation.
Joining the gathering were over 800 peace advocates including esteemed delegates from South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Nepal, uniting with a powerful coalition of local government officials, educators, school heads and administrators, religious leaders, media professionals, youth representatives, women’s organizations, civil society groups, and members of the private sector.
A panel discussion was held between Assistant Professor Aldean Alonto from the Institute of Peace and Development in Mindanao-Mindanao State University; Commissioners Carlo Ebeo and Arvin Villalon from NCCA; and Mr. John Rommel Garces, Chief Branch Manager of HWPL Philippines.
The discussion advocated for the inclusion of the Bangsamoro peace accords in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Registry, elevating them as symbols of national reconciliation and global heritage.
Echoing the words of HWPL Chairman Lee Man-hee, HWPL Global Branch 1 Chief Branch Manager Jin Mo Lee said during the plenary speech, “So what our future generations need is a world of peace without wars. Is there anything greater than this? Who will make this a reality? It is all of us today. We must absolutely make this happen. That is why we have all become one united in heart. What do we always say at the beginning and at the end whenever we meet? We say, ‘We are one’ because it is proof that we are one within HWPL.”
Action plans were also presented to HWPL’s key peace committees—international law, religion, peace education, youth, women, media and public relations—to empower sectoral collaboration. These included initiatives such as securing national-level support for the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), strengthening and expanding the Religious Peace Academy (RPA), broadening peace education through the establishment of peace clubs in schools, capacity-building programs for teachers, forging partnerships with other divisions, and installing peace monuments within school campuses.
In his Message of Peace, NCCA Chairman Victorino Mapa Manalo, emphasized the importance of collaboration, “Ang mga ganitong kolaborasyon ay patunay na kapag nagsanib ang sining, kasaysayan at malasakit, tunay na posibleng makamit ang isang makatarungan at pangmatagalang kapayapaan (Collaborations like these are proof that when art, history, and compassion come together, it is truly possible to achieve a just and lasting peace).
The event concluded with a one-hour musical theatre performance titled “Mindasilang” by Kaliwat Performing Artists Collective, Inc., which showcased a creative peace-building narrative from Mindanao.
The 3rd National Peace Convention marks a deepened national commitment to sustainable peace, inclusive dialogue, and collective progress. By forging new partnerships, reflecting on shared experiences, and formulating actionable peace strategies, this gathering aims to strengthen the Philippines’ contribution to the global peace movement.
