“Strength of the Family, Hope for the Nation”

The family and the nation are, by nature, inseparably intertwined. Economic constraints prohibit some families access to education, cultural activities, and involvement in the life of society. There are elements in our culture that put pressure on young people not to start a family, because they lack possibilities for the future. Must we not acknowledge also, that family breakdown sometimes even leads families to sell their children for prostitution or for organ trafficking? It is surely the appropriate time, for the sake of both our personal and our communal interests, to look closely at the realities of families here in our beloved country.

We feel the urgency of listening to a pool of speakers such as from the experiences of those involved in marriage counseling and the pursuit of quality education and of legal professionals dedicated to uphold the dignity of all persons, to the spiritual insights of religious leaders. Together we can develop thinking and actions that will be able to fortify the family of today and so give meaningful hope to our entire nation.

Fr. Marie-Dominique Philippe, OP, the founder of the Community of Saint John, was profound convinced that the friendly climate of an authentic search for wisdom was essential. We are, therefore, proposing the Kahayag Forum as a venue in which this open dialogue can take place, where Christians and non-Christians alike can progress and enrich each other mutually in this search for wisdom.

The Kahayag Forum will take place on August 29, 2016, at 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Registration starts at 12:00 PM), Cebu Provincial Capitol Social Hall, Magallanes, Cebu City.

After a testimony given by Mr and Mrs Bernard Mercader of the Worldwide Marriage Encounter Movement on Love, Marriage, and Family, there will be three keynote speeches (listed below) with small-group discussions over merienda cena and an open-floor panel discussion with the speakers.

Dr. Preciosa S. Soliven, founder and CEO of the Operation Brotherhood Montessori Center Incorporated and previously (2001) the Ambassador of the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, will speak on “Family, at the Heart of Filipino Culture.”

Atty. Maria Liza M. Jorda, currently Prosecutor II on Family Court in the Department of Justice, Cebu City and Chief of Information, Education, and Communication of the Inter Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) in Region 7 will speak on “Hope of the Filipino Family Amidst Brokenness: A Legal Perspective.”

Father Justin Lee, CSJ, Novice Master in Cebu, Cebu City, will discuss on “Family: The Heart of the Common Good.”

The day will end with the Holy Mass at about 6:30 PM, presided over by Bishop Dennis Villarojo.

Pre-registration is at PHP 175, while on-site registration is PHP 250. For ticket inquiries you may contact 0922 6462138 (Jonathan Orillo). We also encourage you to join them in their on-line discussion before the event on their Facebook page (fb.com/kahayagforum) or email at kahayag.forum@gmail.com.