Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay signs the Commitment for Peace during the Global Peace Festival Day events on February 27.
Vice President of the Philippines His Excellency Jejomar Binay, Senator Aquilino Pimentel, and municipal leaders, city councilors and university officials signed a Commitment for Peace at the kickoff of the third Global Peace Festival Day at the University of Makati in metropolitan Manila on February 27, 2012.
University of Makati President Dr. Tomas B. Lopez, Jr. first designated March 1, 2010 as Global Peace Festival Day, and the first of March has since been recognized on the campus and among university students and officials as an occasion to promote and implement programs to celebrate “one family, one community under God.”
The Commitment for Peace is an affirmation to advance ideals of lasting peace by strengthening marriages and families, facilitating intercultural and interreligious cooperation, and fostering a culture of service and peace.
‘Share a Treasure’
Above: University of Makati administrators and student leaders support the Share-a Treasure book drive and other activities at UMak’s Global Peace Festival Day 2012. Below: Students release blue and white balloons carrying messages of peace.
Since a well-educated population is vital for a progressive country, and with awareness that it can be achieved through 100 percent literacy starting with Filipino youth, a year-long book donation campaign, “Share-A-Treasure,” was launched on February 27 for students of GPF-supported Alternative Learning System programs in Metro Manila and Mindanao. The campaign aims to collect new or gently used books and other reference materials for young to adult learners for diverse communities of Christians, Muslims and indigenous peoples, notably in Mindanao.
The campaign will run for the entire Academic Year 2012-2013 with participation by students, university officials and partners.
On February 28, 171 students and youth leaders from various colleges in University of Makati assembled for a student leadership conference with the theme, “Youth Empowerment: A Response to Greater Responsibility on Peace-building.” Dr. Edmon Pacson, National President of GPYC- Philippines, explored the significance and correlation of Service and True Love towards peace-building.
To conclude the celebration, hundreds of blue and white balloons were released carrying messages of peace to symbolize the universal aspirations for peace among all people, while remembering countries currently struggling to attain peace, such as Syria and Iran.
The week-long activities to commemorate the Third Global Peace Festival Day on the campus, in conjunction with the university’s Fortieth Foundation Day, was made possible through the partnership of University of Makati Office of the Student Affairs, Supreme Student Government, GPYC Philippines and GPF Philippines.
