Aiming to put an end to violence and safeguard the marginalized, the Ateneo Office of Social Formation (AOSF) launched Panag-ambit, a celebration of this year’s Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP), last November 26.

‘Panag-ambit’ is a Cebuano word defined as ‘ communion’ or the act of sharing.

The two-day Panag-ambit celebrates peace through art, intercultural, interreligious, and inter-ideological conversation, and interfaith prayer.

“(It) is a celebration of dreams and ideas shared by all of us regardless of our differences in beliefs, culture and faith, we are one in the mission for peace,” said Lilibeth Leh Arcena, AOSF director.

AOSF together with Ateneo Culture and Arts and Ateneo Religious Organizations organized the event.

MWOP began with an Ignatian Conversation on Pope Francis’ latest encyclical, Fratelli Tutti : On Fraternity and Social Friendship.

“Good politics calls for a change of heart, attitude, and lifestyle. To reject an individualistic and uncritical culture, subservient to unregulated economic interests and societal institutions at the service of those who already enjoy too much power,” University President Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ said.

The weeklong event also includes two peace forums: one organized by Salaam, another by Al Qalam Institute, and a national forum on Tayô T?yo Para sa Tampakan, an online movement to resist the mining in Tampakan, South Cotabato.

Dugong Bughaw, a blood donation drive, bookends MWOP which will be until December 12