One of the most highly-anticipated events of our peace partners during the National Peace Consciousness Month celebration held every September is the Gawad Kapayapaan or Gakap Awards.

Spearheaded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), the GaKap is a fitting conclusion to Peace Month, as it highlights the stories of remarkable men, women, and organizations who have championed peace.

The event is a heartfelt tribute to the courage, perseverance, and dedication of individuals and institutions who have dedicated their time, energy and resources to fostering harmony, mutual understanding and respect.

This year’s GaKap awardees were His Eminence Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, KAPATIRAN Chairperson Veronica “Ka Inca” Tabara, and the Provincial Government of Basilan. Each of them best exemplifies what a true peace champion should be.

I met Cardinal Quevedo many years ago when I was a young military officer stationed in Mindanao. What struck me the most about the cardinal was his quiet strength, humility and wisdom.

Born in Ilocos Norte but raised in Mindanao, he experienced firsthand the challenges being confronted by the tri-people of Mindanao — Christians, Muslims, and Indigenous People — and how these concerns largely impacted their lives.

In his acceptance speech, Cardinal Quevedo reminded us that the roots of the conflict in Mindanao, particularly in the Bangsamoro, lie in the historical injustices committed against the people.

Instead of being disillusioned, the cardinal used dialogue as an instrument to engage and bridge the gap among the tri-people and unify them. He declared that “Peace comes from mutual love in the heart. It resides there, grows there, and radiates outward.”

“As someone who witnessed war and its toll on human lives, I know peace cannot be achieved with policies or agreements alone but through compassion and the willingness to reach out even to one’s adversaries for the sake of peace,” the Cardinal added.

Equally inspiring is the peace journey of Maria Veronica “Ka Inca” Tabara, our second Gakap awardee. Her experiences are a testament to the dedication, courage and selflessness of women like her who have helped silence the guns of war.

“Ka Inca” once believed that armed struggle was the only way to bring justice to the marginalized. But she and her comrades later realized a hard truth: the use of arms to promote a lost cause was not the answer.

Choosing to walk the path of peace was not easy. But Ka Inca took a leap of faith because she realized that peace was the only way forward. Under her leadership, the KAPATIRAN was created and has since become a highly-reliable partner in nation and peacebuilding.

She said that she is just “one circumstantial person in the long and difficult journey of the RPMP-RPA-ABB on the path to pursue the non-violent way for reforms [and] to be able to serve the best interest of the working masses of our country.”

Our last GaKap awardee is the Provincial Government of Basilan, which faced tremendous odds because of the revolutionary and terror groups that were operating in the area and wreaking havoc on the people.

I remember the countless operations I took part in during my tour of duty in Mindanao. Basilan was then considered a “no man’s land” which had to be avoided at all costs. But through the PLGU’s efforts, Basilan is rewriting its narrative – and history.

In his acceptance speech, Vice Governor Jim Hataman Saliman shared Basilan’s formula for success: “Peace is a daily choice, a commitment made real through services, understanding, and an unwavering belief in human dignity.”

Basilan’s peace journey reminds us that even in the most challenging places, peace can firmly take root and flourish if all members of the community set aside personal interests, work hand in hand, and support each other under a shared vision.

“It is an honor that rightly belongs to the people of Basilan, to every peace advocate and peace weaver who wakes up every day believing that dialogue is stronger than division, that healing is possible, and that peace is worth fighting for,” Hataman Saliman said.

He said that he has witnessed the “resilience of communities, the courage of leaders who chose reconciliation over revenge, and the quiet but steady work of those who build bridges where others build walls.”

“This award is a symbol of the collective journey of the different sectors and individuals working hand in hand to resolve conflict, transform lives and build a better Basilan,” he declared.

As Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman reminded us during her remarks at the ceremony, peace is not just about providing resources but, more importantly, fostering dialogue, greater inclusion, and the meaningful participation of women and communities.

And with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. declaring the comprehensive peace process as a top priority of his administration, Congress has appropriated substantial funds to sustain and build on the gains of the comprehensive Philippine peace process throughout the country.

This is why the stories of Cardinal Quevedo, Ka Inca, and Basilan are a source of strength, resilience and inspiration for all of us. They remind us that peace must be lived, nurtured, and protected each and every day of our lives.

To all our peace partners who supported and actively participated in the events during Peace Month, the OPAPRU extends its deepest gratitude. It is because of all you that this year’s celebration has become memorable, fulfilling, and impactful.