GPF Manila, as reported in the Manila Bulletin
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For a link to the story click here http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20081214143481.html
For the Chair’s speech in full, published in the newspaper, click here: http://www.mb.com.ph/OPED20081214143469.html
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Global leaders endorse ‘One big family under God’
By LEONARD D. POSTRADO
Religious and political leaders from various nations yesterday shared the limelight in front of thousands of people at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila in a show of unity and symbolic breaking of cultural barriers to become "one big family under God" during the Global Peace Festival.
During the occasion, GPF co-chairman Dr. Hyun Jin Moon announced to festival delegates the holding of the first ever World Convention of the Global Peace Festival in Manila by the end of 2009.
"London, Washington, Tokyo and Seoul were all strong candidates. But in the end, I am pleased to announce to you this evening that this GPF World Convention will be held right here in Manila," he said to the cheering crowd.
According to Moon, the peace festival in Manila which opened last December 11 should serve as a "great awakening" for the people worldwide to stand up and be united in eradicating strife and poverty worldwide.
"The dream of ‘One Family under God’ will be clarion call of our age. The time has come to tear down the man-made walls of race, culture, religion and country, and establish the peaceful, ideal world of God’s cherished desire," he said.
"As we celebrate the Global Peace Festival here in Manila, we must initiate a worldwide ‘Great Awakening’ rooted in the true universal spirit of Christianity taught by Jesus 2000 years ago," Moon added. Moon likewise called on the citizenry to make a solemn pledge in leading the world to peace through the vision of "One Family under God."
"It can end the strife and poverty of Africa, the conflict in the Middle East, and the final remnant of the Cold War on the Korean Peninsula. The power of one human family united with the Will of God can quell the turmoil of conflict throughout the world," he explained.
Political leaders took a break from politics to join the global peace celebration. Former Speaker of the House Jose De Venecia Jr., former Senate President Manuel Villar and Senator Miguel Zubiri shared the same stage as they joined religious leaders in the symbolic lighting of Peace Candles.
At least 81 governors, 18 congressmen, six senators and 30 mayors were cited by organizers in their efforts to promote peace.
In his welcome remark, Villar reminded the public that peace should start from one’s self before it resonates to others as he likened the world and the people as a spaceship in the universe and its passengers. "We share a noble dream of creating a world at peace where love resonates all over, where we focus more on the many things that unite us rather than on our differences, where harmony prevails over discord and where everyone becomes his brother’s keeper," he said.
"To build a peaceful world, we must start laying the foundation of peace in ourselves," Villar added.
As to the Philippines being chosen for the GPF world convention, Robert Kittel, GPF Public Relations director, said the country is the leading global peace advocate in the world and a perfect example of a nation with diverse cultures and religions that can live peacefully in one place.
"Take a look at the people in Mindanao. I think that’s the best way to explain how people, no matter what their race is, can live harmoniously," he said.
During the start of the festival, spectators were entertained by marching bands and street dancers donned in colorful costumes. Flags of different countries were paraded by Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) members.
People started converging in front of the Quirino Grandstand as early as 1:30 pm. Yesterday. Organizers said they were expecting some two million people to come but as of 6 p.m. last night, GPF Security Chief Venus Agustin pegged the number of attendees at 1.2 million.
Despite efforts to promote peace through becoming a single, unified family, Moon warned that attaining peace might be hampered should the basic fundamentals of family be eroded.
"Divorce and family breakdown are at an all time high. Every nation faces major challenges with its youth. The social and economic cost of the breakdown of the family is staggering," he lamented.
"The healing of the family is a spiritual task. We must make it our priority to bring God back into every family. When God is the center of our families, all our other problems will fade away," Moon added.
