Last July 18, the world once again commemorated the Nelson Mandela International Day, with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres leading the global tribute to one of history’s most inspiring champions of peace, reconciliation, and human dignity.

This annual occasion, celebrated on Mandela’s birthday, is a reminder that the values he lived and fought for remain urgent and relevant today. At a time when the world is once again engulfed in wars, bloody conflicts, and protracted geopolitical tensions — from Europe to the Middle East, Africa to Asia — we must draw wisdom from Mandela’s life, a life marked not only by struggle but by his extraordinary moral courage to forgive, reconcile, and rebuild.

As a lifelong advocate for peace and dialogue, we join the international community in paying a modest but heartfelt tribute to the memory and enduring legacy of President Nelson Mandela. We were privileged to have met this extraordinary man during his state visit to Manila in March 1997, at the invitation of then President Fidel V. Ramos. At the time, we were Speaker of the House of Representatives. We vividly remember his gentle strength, his dignity, and his unwavering belief in the possibility of a better world.

Years later, we had the honor of conferring again with him at the United Nations headquarters in New York, where our brief but meaningful conversation reaffirmed his deep commitment to global peace and solidarity.

In recognition of his towering contributions to humanity, we had the privilege — on behalf of the Philippine Congress — of bestowing upon him the Congressional Medal of Achievement in March 2004, the highest honor the Philippine legislature can confer on a foreign dignitary. That moment remains etched in our memory as one of the proudest in our public life.

We are pleased to note that as then Speaker of the House in 2002, we initiated and instituted the Congressional Medal of Achievement to “honor political, economic and cultural leaders who have distinguished themselves through their life-work and vision” and who have contributed to enriching relations with the Philippines and Asia.

We have always believed that exemplary leaders, both here in the Philippines and in the international community, “deserve honor and recognition, so that they may serve as models and inspiration to others and especially among the young.”

Among the recipients of the Congressional Medal of Achievement are Presidents George W. Bush of the U.S., Hu Jintao of China, Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam of India; Prime Ministers Shinzo Abe of Japan, Jose Maria Aznar of Spain, Wilfred Martens of Belgium, Kjell Magne Bondevik of Norway; and Senate President Pier Ferdinando Casini of Italy.

Mandela’s life story is not only a chronicle of struggle against apartheid — it is a beacon for nations grappling with the toxicity of division and hatred. He showed us that peace is not weakness, that reconciliation is not capitulation, and that the long arc of justice can indeed bend toward healing, if guided by conviction, compassion, and leadership.

In this current era of rising hostilities and polarization, we must rekindle our collective commitment to a just and lasting peace. Governments must work harder, yes, but the responsibility does not fall on governments alone. Parliaments, political parties, and civil society organizations must take a more active role in building bridges, creating space for dialogue, and advocating for peaceful solutions, no matter how small or symbolic our contributions may seem.

Peacebuilding is not the task of saints — it is the duty of citizens. And we, in our own corners of public service, can and must do our part.

Let us be guided by the immortal words of Nelson Mandela: “It is easy to break down and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build.”

May his example remind us, always, that peace is not only possible — it is necessary. And it begins with each of us.