MILYUN-MILYONG personalidad mula sa 63 bansa ang nagsama-sama (online) para sa 2021 Rally of Hope Philippines na inorganisa ng Universal Peace Federation (UPF).
Naganap ang makasaysayan at matagumpay na “One Million People Praying for the Healing of the Nation and the World” nitong nagdaang Feb. 6 kasama ang UPF (an NGO holding general consultative status with the United Nations).
The event was aired on PTV 4 and simultaneously livestreamed on radio, cable TV stations in different parts of the nation and in countries even as far as Fiji and other social media platforms.
“The event brought together Filipinos and other citizens from different corners of the world in an online interfaith gathering to collectively pray for the healing of the world from the COVID-19 pandemic, the healing of Mother Earth from the ruins of climate change, and the healing from social divisions ripping apart our human family,” ayon sa official statement ng UPF.
Nag-perform dito ang mga world-class Filipino talents na sina Jed Madela, Gerphil Flores, Reo Brothers, 4th Impact, FCPC Baliktanaw at ang Philippine Meistersingers.
Nagbigay din ng messages of hope and inspiration ang ilang kilalang celebrities, political and religious leaders, youth leaders, frontliners at ilang social media personalities and influencers.
Inspired by the great vision of its Founder, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, who spoke during the event through her representative, Dr. Robert Kittel, the event highlighted the joint efforts of UPF and its partners to support the communities who were recently affected by the typhoons that struck the Philippines last year through the “True Love in Action: TulongTulong Para sa Pagbangon Project.
Nag-donate rin si Dr. Moon ng $40,000 para sa cause na ito through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
In her speech, Dr. Moon commended the resolution of this rally that calls for the necessity of strengthening the foundation for character education for the youth and building stable loving families.
Pinasalamatan din niya si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na nagbigay ng suporta sa Rally of Hope.
Coinciding with the commemoration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week, the program started with an interfaith prayer offered by the leaders of different faiths in the country. Rev. Masaichi Hori, Co-Chairman of the UPF Asia Pacific, gave the welcome remarks while 5-time Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives, Hon. Jose De Venecia Jr. gave his congratulatory remarks mentioning that in the face of these threats which transcend national, regional and even hemispheric boundaries, there is a greater need for organizations like UPF to promote peace, solidarity and cooperation.
Keynote speeches from world leaders including that of the Former Prime Minister of Fiji, H.E. Sitivenie Ligamamada Rabuka and the Speaker of the House of the Assembly of the Republic of Kiribati, Tanagariki ReeteTekiaa were featured.
H.E. Rabuka underscored the power of prayer in overcoming our present circumstance, “There is power in prayer. And when many people pray together, it is a powerful synergy for a purpose, mostly a positive purpose. I promise to pray for the healing of the people of the Philippines, the healing of the nation of the Philippines, and for the healing of the people of the world.”
Hon. Reete, for her part, boldy declared that “We are a team: rich, poor, developed, developing we are diverse but at the root we are indeed one human family under God.”
Leaders of the Philippine government including Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Lord Allan Velasco, Sec. Martin Andanar of the PCOO and Sen. Bong Go, gave their special messages as well. The message for the Rally of Hope Philippines of President Duterte was also read during the program.
The winner of the recent Asia Pacific S!NERGY competition organized by the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace also delivered an excerpt of her winning speech.
Sponsors of Rally of Hope Philippines include BuhayBuhaysa Amerika, Bike Habit, San Marino by CDO Foodsphere, Boysen, FVT Fil Vision Trading, Greater Good and PTV4.