The 4th World March for Peace and Nonviolence: The Philippine Experience

On October 3, 2026, Baguio Central University (BCU) hosted the 4th World March for Peace and Integral Regeneration (WMPIR) in conjunction with the ASEAN Festival. Spearheaded by Professor Genevieve Balance-Kupang, along with Graduate School faculty, student leaders, executive officials, and humanist allies, the event featured keynote addresses from local and international personalities and vibrant performances by the BCU Chamber Choir, the Fungakan Dancers, and Graduate School student performers. 

Before the 4th World March for Peace commenced, it was launched to the stakeholders of the APPSAM (Association of Philippine Private School Administrators and Mentors) last September 4, 2026, at Hotel Henrico, Legarda, Baguio City. 

The program commenced with a series of talks by distinguished speakers and performances. 

The 4th World March Program opened with a Call to Prayer Flute, Peace is Flowing like a River, by Ms. Dom-An Florence Macagne, a Sagada Flutist.

An Opening Prayer, Pilipinas Kong Mahal, BCU Hymn, Song For Peace, was rendered by the BCU Chamber Choir, with Jomard L. Calamba, MM, as conductor.

The welcome to the 4th World March was given by Elma D. Donaal, EdD, VP for Academic Affairs.

The introduction to the 4th World March for Peace and Integral Regeneration, the overall theme, was shared by Genevieve B. Kupang, PhD, International Relations Officer and Dean of the Graduate School, lead organizer of the 4th WMPIG.

The Movement is Growing: Genevieve B. Kupang, lead organizer of the 4th World March for Peace and Integral Regeneration, reveals a game-changer: the march is now a structured network of universities for peace! This alliance, activated alongside the ASEAN Festival, is turning higher education into a harbinger of global peace. Let’s unite. 

In explaining the theme during the 4th World March for Peace and Integral Regeneration, Genevieve B. Kupang highlighted that transitioning from “non-violence” to “integral regeneration” invites a vital step forward in the peace movement’s evolution and language. As she detailed, the term “non-violence” inherently frames peace around what it opposes. It inadvertently evokes the very concept of violence it aims to transcend. Drawing on cognitive science, she noted that prohibition is cognitively weaker than active affirmation, creating a need for an active pathway to wholeness.

Rooted in Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha, the constructive truth-force, and Cordilleran indigenous wisdom, integral regeneration provides a fully affirmative, forward-looking path where living systems heal from within. This vision echoes Congressman Domogan’s reflections, drawing on ideas she has carefully nurtured over years of study. Integral regeneration represents a shared commitment to heal fractured relationships and rebuild the trust worn down by past grievances, abuse of power, greed, absent role models, and unfulfilled promises. By bridging deep community divides and revitalizing institutions tarnished by poor governance, this movement instills renewed purpose into what was once broken. 

Kupang posited that integral regeneration actively cultivates solidarity, economic resilience, institutional trust, and ecological harmony, affirming that genuine peace is indivisible and impossible in isolation.

And the Speakers and partner organizations were then introduced…

The MESSAGE FOR PEACE was given by Hon. Atty. Mauricio G. Domogan, Representative, Lone District of Baguio City, and “Peace as an Enabler for Sustainable Development” was illustrated by the talk given by the Hon. Councilor Vladimir D. Cayabas.

Honoring the Keynote Speaker: School administrators and faculty present tokens and a Certificate of Appreciation to Baguio Congressman Hon. Mauricio G. Domogan. (L–R) VP for Finance Amalia Ancheta, CPA; VP for Academic Affairs Elma D. Donaal, EdD; Hon. Mauricio G. Domogan; GS Dean & IRO Genevieve B. Kupang; CTELA Dean Lourdes M. Trajano, EdD; Lourdes G. Eguia, EdD; and GS faculty Avilardo B. Leon, PhD. 

In his keynote address for the 4th World March for Peace and Integral Regeneration with ASEAN FESTIVAL, Atty. Mauricio Domogan frames peace as an active, living culture grounded in core ethical values of Justitia (Justice), Libertad (Liberty), Equitas (Equity), and Veritas (Truth). He highlights that true peace demands the courage to confront injustice responsibly, defend freedom with respect, broaden opportunities for all, and uphold truth in an era saturated with misinformation. 

By linking these foundational principles to the university’s mission, he underscores the vital role of education in nurturing discerning, responsible citizens capable of driving genuine societal transformation.   Extending this vision to a broader scale, Domogan defines “integral regeneration” as the collective work of restoring broken trust, healing divided communities, and breathing new life into institutions. He presents Baguio City and the ASEAN community as living models of this ideal, spaces where diverse cultures, histories, and backgrounds unite in harmony rather than uniformity. Ultimately, he issues a call to action to the youth, reminding them that building and sustaining a peaceful, regenerated world cannot rely on governments alone, but requires the active, shared commitment of individuals, families, and educational communities.

Peace as an Enabler for Sustainable Development: Baguio City Councilor Hon. Vladimir D. Cayabas (center) poses with university administrators and peace event organizers after receiving his Certificate of Appreciation. (L–R) VP Elma D. Donaal, EdD; VP Amalia Ancheta, CPA; Councilor Cayabas; Lead Organizer Genevieve B. Kupang, PhD; and Dr. Shamany L. Lokines.

During the intermission, BCU Fungaran Dancers filled the space with an ethnic dance, and videos were aired, including a video with the song, Kapayapaan (Peace) by Tropical Depression, rendered by Rod Sanford Aticao and Styl Amando, CTELA students.

Luz Jahnen, a humanist from Germany, urged students to take an active part in the promotion of a culture of peace and active non-violence. He also invited participants to Berlin 2027. He introduced Nonviolence Berlin 2027 as an open, collective call to action that transcends organizational boundaries to center human dignity and active nonviolence in everyday life. Grounded in humanism and driven by a diverse network of citizens and activists, this initiative seeks to close empathy gaps and cultivate nonviolence as the foundation for how society lives, decides, and relates.

More talks ensued, like the talk given by Dr. Marc Eric S Reyes, a professor in the Faculty Department of Psychology, “The Digital Frontier of Peace: Dismantling Violence in the Age of Connection.”

More talks focused on the theme of Peace, and performances enlivened the 4th World March.

Celebrating Diversity through Movement: EdD in Educational Management graduate students deliver a vibrant Myanmar Thingyan cultural dance performance at the 4th World March for Peace and Integral Regeneration.

Rhythms of Peace: PhD students showcase cultural unity as they perform Indonesia Menari, led by Ms. Rubie Bilag.

A talk on growing organic by Ms. Carmen Cabling, Organic Farming advocate, Participatory Guarantee System Quezon, followed…

And, some of the participants joined together to form the Human Peace Sign, with feelings of Peace, Force, and Joy.

The 4th World March for Peace and Integral Regeneration ended with the recitation of the ethical commitment and signing of the banner. 

A global message for a peaceful future! Mr. Rafael de la Rubia, founder of World Without Wars and Without Violence, addresses the Baguio Central University community, inspiring students and advocates to take active steps toward nonviolence and global harmony during the 4th World March for Peace.

Fostering regional solidarity and peace! Alliance and cooperation take center stage as Her Excellency Constance See Sin Yuan, Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to the Philippines, emphasizes the value of strong ASEAN relations, particularly between Singapore and the Philippines, during the 4th World March for Peace and ASEAN Festival. 

The 4th World March for Peace and Integral Regeneration. When equity uplifts every voice, Truth illuminates our shared humanity, Liberty breaks the chains of division, and Justice anchors our common ground, peace ceases to be a distant ideal. Peace and integral regeneration become our living reality. 

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