Sandiwang 2010: Interfaith Earth Day celebration

Since 2008, SANDIWANG or Isang Diwa sa Pagdiriwang para sa Kalikasan has gathered peoples of faith especially their leaders to unite their voices in prayer and meditation for the healing of the earth. The oneness of life of all beings regardless of what name or reality they call the Supreme Being is best manifested by the ecological interdependence of all living and non-living beings. The moment in history has come when we need not discuss nor debate about our creeds but to acknowledge that these creeds, these traditions and for that matter all of us who follow them that one issue confront us all: the issue of global warming and ecological imbalance.

Religion has played an important role in the development of human civilization but it also brought about division and disunity. This is simply because instead of looking at our common ground which is the planet, our environment, as God’s gift to all of us no matter what one believes, we turned our attention at pointing at the issues that divide us.

SANDIWANG, therefore, is a moment of re-examining our relatedness, our interdependence with each other and with nature. It is a gathering of humans who believe in the miracle life and honor the source of this same life and pray for its healing. Above all, in accordance with our Filipino value of “pagdiriwang”, it is a celebration of life and all its fullness!

SANDIWANG 2010

This year, as we mark the 3rd year of SANDIWANG, we gather in the City of Marikina where typhoon Ondoy’s wrath was manifested. The experience from Ondoy has renewed our call to be in harmony with nature and to find our place in the whole of creation as stewards. With the onset of Climate Change, this devastation only worsens and so, we call on each one to join us all in prayer for the healing of the Earth but more importantly for the healing of each one that we may truly become sisters and brothers sharing one home, the Earth.

EARTH DAY 2010

Hamon ng Panahon: CLIMATE CHANGE

Sampung Milyung Solusyon

(Kilos na! Ngayon na!)





SANDIWANG 2010

Isang Diwa sa Pagdiriwang ng Kalikasan

Riverbanks Amphitheater, Marikina City

April 18, 2010




Schedule of Activities



7:30 – 8:00 Call to Prayer

(led by Kontra Gapi)



8:00 – 9:00 Opening Prayer

· Rationale and Intention

Mr. Voltaire P. Alferez

EDNPI Executive Director



· Prayers/Chants/Exhortation

o Earth-based Spirituality (URI youth ambassador from Manila, Mr. Ishilta)

o Hinduism (URI youth ambassador from Malaysia, Ms. Mrithula Shiva)

o Tibetan Buddhist (URI youth ambassador from Australia, Mr. Freeman Trebilcock)

o Christian Methodist Church

o Islam (URI youth ambassador from Pakistan, Shazia Wadiya)

o Baha’i' Faith

o Sikhism

o Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

o Hare Krishna

o Iglesia ni Kristo

o Ananda Marga

o Shumei (youth rep from Japan, Mr. Kenta Kikuchi)

o Others

Byakko Shinko Kai Mandala Peace Arts Initiative – Divinity-In movement prayer (lead by Mr. Maio “Toots” Fungo)



· Pinga Bendita

Fr. Robert Reyes



· Sayaw ng Bayan

Ms. Grace Odal-Devora accompanied by Kontra Gapi



9:00 – 9:30 Environmental Action

· Brief Message

Hon. Marides Fernando

Mayor of Marikina City

· Common Environmental Action

(Kontra Gapi shall accompany the Environmental Action)

· Commencement of the Run of Fr. Robert Reyes

· Commencement of the SANDIWANG activities

9:30 – 10:00 Kontra Gapi Ritual

10:00 – 11:00 Interfaith Seed Ritual c/o Peacemakers’ Circle with the United Religions Initiative

11:00 – 12:00 Hare Krishna Ritual

12:00 – 1:00 Feeding Program by Ananda Marga

1:00 – 2:00 Ananda Marga Ritual

2:00 – 3:00 Bahai Faith

3:00 – 4:00 Choral Presentation

- Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

- Alamat Song by Prof. Espino

4:00 – 5:00 Closing Ritual



Simultaneous Activities:

1. Acupuncture – Mr. Mon Devora
2. Jyorei Spiritual Energy Healing – Shumei Philippines
3. Earth Mandala Community Art Workshop – Ms. Sarah Queblatin and Earth Day Village children
4. Medical Mission – Ananda Marga
5. Hilot – Unlad of Ms. Nonie Del Mundo