Millions of Filipinos are abroad, majority of whom, try to seek better future for their families. There are many tragic and painful stories of abuses suffered by our migrant workers abroad as well as stories of sacrifices and love for families they left behind.

In the Philippines we have acclaimed them as “heroes”. With the dollar and euro remittances, they keep the local economy stable. It appears that the money sent by the Filipino workers abroad is the first source of income for the country. Zamboanga City is the center for Region IX agencies of the government and other NGO’s which give attention to the Filipino Overseas Workers (FWO). Those who go abroad from Zamboanga are more or less 50 % Muslims and 50% Christians. We dream of a time when Filipino workers going abroad will not only be considered heroes because they bring money to the country, but especially because they are instruments and bridges of dialogue and peace to the country of their destination. They can help build dialogue among civilizations if they are able to share the best of their cultural identity and religion.

This dream has been formally entrusted to the care of a special desk of SPDS called “ Filipino Overseas for Dialogue and Peace” (FODP). This desk does not ignore the many problems of the Filipinos abroad. The task for us is to share the dream that while struggling with their economic and emotional problems, they could also decide to be instruments and bridges of dialogue and peace. We believe that offering a vision and inspiring them to become instrument of dialogue and peace, the Filipino nature that is kind, helpful, religious and good-natured can be challenged to go beyond their personal problems and build a new image of the Filipinos abroad. We are convinced that it could be an effective pedagogical way to build up the pride of the Filipinos abroad and prepare new “heroes” for dialogue and peace in the world.

Guided by this dream we have prepared a primer as guide for those who come to us for assistance. One inspiration that motivated us to move in this direction was the experience of our SPDS staff while helping the government agency for social services, in assisting deportees from Malaysia who have landed at the wharf of Zamboanga City the back door of undocumented migrants going to Sabah, Malaysia. Twice a week hundreds of deportees are sent back from Saba because they are found without passport and other legal documents. The normal process is that they are put on detention and after a certain period of time they are sent back to the Philippines. To see them coming down from the boat heavily guarded like
prisoners to ensure that they will not escape is a painful sight. We offer transportation to bring them to the area for their processing, attend to some special cases, those who need immediate medical attention or hospitalization. While doing this we look for opportunity to give some formation to those who remain for a longer time in Zamboanga waiting for some required documents.

It is difficult to answer to all urgent needs and we suffer in silence with the limited assistance we could give them. I often say to the staff and volunteers that to feel powerless is good because it forces us to be creative in finding new ways and responses.

A place of dialogue and meeting for the Silsilah Dialogue Movement activities located inside the 14 hectare compound of Harmony Village at Pitogo, Sinunuc, 8 kilometers from the city proper.

Also home of the Silsilah Dialogue Institute, the Administrative Offices and a library with a special collection on culture and religion. Facilities open to individuals and groups of different cultures and religions for training and formation activities.
A welcoming atmosphere of silence, hospitality and warmth, conducive to dialogue with God, with self, with others and with the whole creation.

Prayer Rooms are provided for individual and group reflections.
A sacred labyrinth walk with long winding roads shaded by variety of trees – invitation to deeper reflection and dialogue with self and with creation. Demonstrations areas for organic and biodynamic indigenous farming.

An open exhibit of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement activities for the last 24 years, (Part 1) is located along the covered walk. Part 2 of the exhibit in progress featuring major groups and institutions in Mindanao actively involved in promoting a culture of dialogue and peace.

The Oasis canteen serves as a venue for simple snacks and for small group discussions. The Oasis of Dialogue Training Center in Harmony Village is open to schools, institutions, government agencies, NGO’s, ethnic of all groups of different religions. The Center operates according to government standards and required permits.

Inter-Faith Council of Leaders (IFCL)

1. INTERFAITH COUNCIL OF LEADERS (IFCL)- This initiative has for its general goal the harnessing of Muslim and Christian leadership from different sectors in the community for the promotion of dialogue and peace, with the following objectives:
   
   - To provide a venue for Muslim, Christian and other faiths leaders to reflect, express and share their views on certain issues that affect inter-faith relationships.
   - To identify relevant social issues and problems, generate ideas and possible solutions, and contribute to their implementation for the common good.
   - To become dialogue and peace movers who are able to influence the community through their life and action.

1. INTER-FAITH DIALOGUE FOR YOUNG GRADUATES Every summer, the IFCL’s Committee on Education selects some Muslim and Christian honor students graduating from selected elementary schools in the city and invites them to a special seminar on inter-faith dialogue. This is an effort to expose our young incoming high school students to a life of dialogue by faith, even young as they are. The objectives of the seminar are:

- To broaden the young graduates’ mind and heart to the richness and goodness of each other’s faith tradition and practices thus becoming future instruments of dialogue and peace in their families and communities.
- To provide exposure experience to some religious places in the city.
- To experience the healing process of one’s woundedness
- To develop the virtue of cooperation and working together in the spirit of friendship among participants.
- To develop the virtue of appreciation and respect of each other’s diverse religion and practices

2. GATHERING FOR CHRISTIAN CATECHISTS AND MADARIS GURUS – The IFCL Education Committee conducts gatherings of Muslim Madaris gurus and Christian catechists as religious educators The objective of the gathering is to establish friendship among them in the spirit of dialogue and peace and be able to share the same in teaching the students.

3. SYMPOSIA AND FORA - The IFCL sponsors gatherings on relevant issues on dialogue and peace and have published proceedings of such conferences for public circulation.

4. PUBLICATION – IFCL has also published and made available to the general public articles and materials that are relevant for Muslim- Christian relationships, the latest being the Open Letter and Call from 138 Muslim Religious Leaders to Pope Benedict XVI and other Christian religious leaders of the world entitled “A Common Word Between Us and You” dated October 13, 2007.

5. TULAY 5 INITIATIVE – The IFCL has also responded to some emergency situations like fire and natural calamities by raising funds. This project hopes to raise funds from Muslim and Christian local contribution for the five (5) initiatives or bridges of friendship in preparation for the 25th Anniversary of the Movement in May 9, 2009.

1. Help build a simple Muslim prayer house in Harmony Village.
2. Help build a simple Christian prayer house in Harmony Village.
3. Assist poor Muslim and Christian orphans who have lost one or both parents in situations of violence.
4. Help repair or assist in building houses for poor Muslim families.
5. Help repair or assist in building houses for poor Christian families.

This is a one-week summer activity that brings young people together to address and face with hope different issues in society. The camp provides an experience of a simple lifestyle and opportunities for making deep friendships with other youth in spite of differences in religion and culture.