03/10/2026
ACTS marks Bishop Ramento’s 20th martyrdom anniversary with ecumenical youth peacebuilding workshop
One hundred eight ecumenical youth leaders and seminarians from four Christian traditions gathered at Aglipay Central Theological Seminary (ACTS) on October 2 to 3, 2026 for Panagkakadua Ken Kappia: From Unpeace to Peace: Forming Ecumenical Witnesses for Justice and Solidarity.
Organized by the Seminarians on Transformation and Nationalism (SOTANA) of ACTS, with support from the Interfaith Cooperation Forum (ICF) of the Asia Pacific Alliance of YMCAs and assistance from the Ramento Project for Rights Defenders (RPRD), the workshop was held in connection with the 20th martyrdom anniversary of Bishop Alberto B. Ramento.
Participants from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Urdaneta, Christian Youth Fellowship - United Church of Christ in the Philippines - Central Luzon Conference, Methodist Youth Fellowship - Northeastern Pangasinan District - United Methodist Church, Iglesia Filipina Independiente – Diocese of Dagupan and ACTS reflected on the realities of unpeace and their vocation as young people of faith.
Eco Dangla of Pangasinan People's Strike for the Environment facilitated a presentation on the national and local context, followed by a community sharing with Indigenous Peoples from Capas, Tarlac. Participants listened to their experiences and perspectives on land, livelihood, development and environmental concerns, including issues surrounding the proposed Pax Silica industrial hub.
Ofelia Cantor of the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) facilitated sessions on understanding peace and unpeace through concept mapping and the Conflict Tree, while sharing the importance of the peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, including stories from past stalled and successful negotiations.
The workshop utilized creative, participatory approaches such as community theatre, drawing based concept mapping, storytelling and visual exercises to help participants see, express and understand the roots of unpeace and imagine pathways towards justice and peace.
In their Unity Statement, participants affirmed: “It is not enough to see ‘unpeace.’ We must listen to the cries of the people. We must learn the roots of injustice. We must stand with those who struggle. We must rise and act for justice and peace.”
The gathering concluded with a commitment to bring their learning back to their churches and communities, affirming: “May our faith become service, our listening become solidarity, and our solidarity become action.”
Panagkakadua Ken Kappia — Together in fellowship, together for peace.
