Faith leaders unite in ‘Global Prayer for Peace’ amid rising conflicts

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Manila, Philippines – As armed conflicts, humanitarian crises, social divisions, and growing religious intolerance continue to affect communities around the world, faith leaders from different religious traditions gathered virtually for the inaugural Global Prayer Assembly for Peace (GPAP) on July 9, reaffirming their shared commitment to peace through dialogue, mutual respect, and cooperation.

The GPAP was launched through a joint initiative of religious leaders and peace advocates who recognized the need for a regular interfaith platform where people of different faiths could pray together, engage in dialogue, and cooperate in responding to growing global conflicts. While participants represented diverse faith traditions, they came together with one common conviction: lasting peace begins when people choose dialogue over division and cooperation over conflict.

John Rommel Garces, Chief Branch Manager of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) Philippines, said the organization is honored to support the initiative, which encourages people of faith to become active instruments of reconciliation and peace within their respective communities.

The program featured prayers for peace led by representatives from various faith traditions, namely Ustadh Bayan Radia (Islam), Archbishop Emeritus Rev. Antonio J. Ledesma (Catholic), Rev. Acharya Prem Shankaranand Tirth (Hinduism), and Instructor Harold Recio (non-denominational Christianity).

Despite differences in religious traditions, each prayer echoed a common aspiration for peace, justice, compassion, and mutual respect, and for "wars and conflicts between nations to come to an end."

Archbishop Ledesma Offers Prayer for Due Process for Lee Man-hee

During the event, Archbishop Emeritus Antonio J. Ledesma of Cagayan de Oro also prayed for 95-year-old Lee Man-hee, Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) and the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, who is currently detained in South Korea while awaiting trial.

The prayer reflected Ledesma's recent appeal for due process and humanitarian consideration for Lee, drawing from their years of collaboration in advancing interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding efforts in Mindanao. The Archbishop first met Lee in 2013 through HWPL's peace initiatives and later worked alongside him in bringing together Catholic, Muslim, and other religious leaders to promote reconciliation in conflict-affected communities including efforts that contributed to interfaith reconciliation in conflict-affected Mindanao.

In his prayer, Ledesma asked that justice be administered with fairness, compassion, respect for human rights, and due process. Organizers emphasized that prayer is not an end in itself, but a starting point for continued dialogue, reconciliation, and practical cooperation among religious communities in addressing conflict and building lasting peace.

Weekly prayer gathering launched

The participants also agreed to continue the initiative through a Weekly Interfaith Prayer Gathering every Thursday, providing an ongoing platform for religious leaders and communities to unite regularly in prayer, strengthen mutual understanding, and deepen cooperation for peace.

Participants were likewise invited to join the Religious Peace Academy (RPA), an initiative that promotes interfaith dialogue through the comparative study of scriptures. Interested individuals or organizations may register through this link: https://forms.gle/CELmK97ooJPKbA5E7.

The GPAP reflects the shared commitment of religious leaders and peace advocates to strengthen interfaith cooperation through dialogue, mutual understanding, and prayer. As an international peace NGO, HWPL continues to support interfaith dialogue through initiatives such as the Religious Peace Academy (RPA), while working with religious leaders to build sustainable peace based on mutual understanding and cooperation.

Bacolod City to co-host MMFF this December

 

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Bacolod City is gearing up for a historic December as it steps into the national spotlight as one of the official hosts of the 52nd Metro Manila Film Festival. This marks a monumental first for the festival, breaking traditional boundaries by bringing its official host activities outside Metro Manila.

Mayor Greg Gasataya shared the news recently, following the official MMFF 2026 launch. Bacolod was chosen along with San Juan and Mandaluyong to anchor this year’s edition, expanding the reach of the annual film festival to regional audiences.

The festivities are slated to arrive in Bacolod around mid-December, with the city pushing for a December 11 kickoff. This date aims to initiate two weeks of star-studded events seamlessly, avoiding a scheduling conflict with the opening of the 2026 Batang Pinoy National Championships, which Bacolod is hosting on December 12.

Bacolodnons can look forward to a celebrity motorcade hitting the streets of Bacolod, synchronized with the main festival launch in Metro Manila. Filipino actors, directors, and filmmakers will visit the city to engage with local cinema fans as part of the MMFF delegation. Beyond the glitz and glamour, organizers are also hosting training workshops and mentorship programs designed specifically for local creators.

The MMFF committee’s decision to select Bacolod as one of this year’s co-hosts was reportedly influenced by the city’s box-office track record and movie ticket sales. In addition, Bacolod has a deeply rooted, self-sustaining love for cinema.

The city is preparing for the third edition of its very own Bacolod Film Festival, an initiative started under Rep. Albee Benitez. The local government has also invested in its creative economy, recently opening the Bacolod G-Hive, a specialized hub that grants local filmmakers and artists free access to top-tier equipment and resources.

Final scheduling and logistical arrangements are currently being ironed out between city officials and the MMFF organizers. Bacolod is prepared to roll out the red carpet, proving that the heart of Philippine cinema beats just as strongly in the provinces.

Crafting a path beyond borders: The evolution of Zar Donato

 

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The journey of an actor is often defined by the moments they choose to step completely outside their comfort zone. For Filipina actress Zar Donato, that leap has not only taken her across geographical borders but has also placed her at the forefront of a new chapter in her professional life.

From her early days in local independent cinema to her current strides on the international stage, Donato is establishing herself as a remarkable talent to watch.

Donato was recently selected one of the 20 finalists for The Master Series: Film Development Council of the Philippines’ Acting Workshop for Filipino Talents 2026. The program offers an opportunity for growth, placing her under the mentorship of acclaimed directors Jose Javier Reyes, Laurice Guillen, and Joel Lamangan.

For Donato, a film graduate from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, this training marks a refining of her craft. It is a transition from the raw talent first discovered in the 2018 QCinema entry “Billie and Emma” to a more versatile performer ready to tackle complex narratives.

The FDCP training coincides with a successful homecoming for her most ambitious project to date. The 29th edition of the Cine Europa festival brought Elias Demetriou’s “Maricel” to Philippine shores, giving local audiences a chance to witness the performance that has been turning heads internationally.

Playing the title role, Donato delivers a commanding performance as a homesick single mother working as an Overseas Filipino Worker in a remote, mountainous Cypriot village. Tasked with caring for an elderly Greek couple played by Dinos Lyras and Lenia Sorokou, her character navigates a minefield of language barriers, cultural clashes, and deep-rooted isolation.

The role of Maricel carried immense personal weight for Donato. She shared that she accepted the project because it gave her an opportunity to honor the stories of OFWs, especially her mother, who works abroad as a caregiver. She noted that the preparation involved extensive conversations with the Filipino diaspora in Cyprus to capture their daily realities with authenticity.

Before arriving at Cine Europa, “Maricel” celebrated its world premiere at the 66th Thessaloniki International Film Festival, took home Best International Film at the Manchester Film Festival 2026, and earned the Hellenic Film Academy Award for Best Greek Minority Co-production.

With the momentum of “Maricel” propelling her forward, Donato is wasting no time looking toward the future. Rather than retreating to familiar territory, she is maintaining her international trajectory.

Audiences will soon see her in another Cypriot feature film titled “Kino Kalo” (translated as “Common Good”). While details of the plot remain under wraps, the project signals Donato's intent to keep exploring global, cross-cultural narratives that challenge traditional boundaries.

Combined with the refined skills she is currently honing at the FDCP Master Series, Donato’s upcoming slate points to a career that is explicitly global in scope yet deeply rooted in the nuanced strength of Filipino storytelling.