As we celebrate this year’s National Peace Consciousness Month with the theme “Mapayapang Bukas, Abot-Kamay sa Bagong Pilipinas,” we are seeing that peace is no longer a dream or aspiration but is now a reality that is unfolding across the nation.

The conduct of Peace Month, which was launched in 2004 through Proclamation No. 675, is helping to shape this reality by promoting the culture of peace, mutual understanding and solidarity among Filipinos.

Through this annual event, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) seeks to send out the message that peacebuilding is not the responsibility of the government alone but of each and every Filipino.

I am both awed and inspired to witness this remarkable transformation take place, especially in the lives of individuals who were once displaced by war and those who were previously engaged in armed struggle.

Two stories stand out for me — that of Ferdinand “Toy” Maliwanag, a former rebel who now serves as mayor of Mansalay in Oriental Mindoro, and Farisah Abas, a former ‘bakwit’ who now leads a women’s cooperative in Maguindanao del Norte.

I had the honor of meeting Mayor Maliwanag during the PAMANAHAN event organized by OPAPRU’s Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program last week and I can truly say that he is a person who walks his talk.

As I listened to his heartwarming testimony, I could feel the struggles he went through and appreciate how far he has come from his early days in patrolling the highlands to where he is today -- leading his people with vision, commitment and compassion.

Once armed with high-powered rifles, he now carries on his broad shoulders the responsibility of providing essential services, uplifting the lives of his people, and charting the future of his municipality.

Through OPAPRU’s PAMANA Program, roads were built in the municipality to connect far-flung communities to the town center, allowing farmers to bring their produce to markets, children to go to school, and small businesses to thrive.

Mayor Maliwanag also revived the Kasalang Bayan, led the construction of a ₱127-million public market, provided livelihood training for indigenous people’s communities, and created jobs through the Department of Labor’s TUPAD program.

His peace journey is a testament that through hard work, dedication and an ironclad resolve can improve one’s station in life. The success he has achieved demonstrates that good things come to those who walk the path of peace.

If Mayor Maliwanag’s journey speaks of redemption, then Farisah Abas’ story shows the power of resilience. Once driven out of her home by conflict, she now leads the Sigay Kutawato Women’s RTW Marketing Cooperative in Maguindanao del Norte.

With the aid of the Joint Task Forces on Camps Transformation and the Mindanao State University, her cooperative ventured into organic farming, producing high-quality vegetables and fruits that were sold to local markets.

Farisah’s cooperative later expanded into turmeric and catfish production, enabling the group’s members to earn sustainable incomes. Her organization highlights the key role that women play in fostering peace and development in communities.

The journeys of Maliwanag and Abas reflect the essence of National Peace Consciousness Month — a celebration of the numerous lives across the country that have been transformed because they chose peace over violence and never gave up on their dreams.

The stories of these amazing people reflect an important lesson that we have learned over the years, and that is, peace is built not only through peace agreements or government policies but by creating an environment where peace can firmly take root and flourish.

As the nation observes National Peace Consciousness Month, I invite every Filipino to draw inspiration from the experiences of Maliwanag and Abas. They are concrete examples that change is possible for those who are not afraid to dream a take a leap of faith.

“Mapayapang Bukas, Abot-Kamay sa Bagong Pilipinas” is not just a slogan but a new chapter in our nation’s history that is being written not just by chroniclers but by each and every Filipino who believes that a just and lasting peace is possible.

A happy National Peace Consciousness to all!