By Jhay de Jesus, World BEYOND War, October 2, 2026
2026 marks the 45th year since the United Nations established the International Day of Peace. It is ironic that while this year’s theme is “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,” we are witnessing continuous attacks in different nations, ongoing genocide against innocent people, especially children, and the occupation of lands and territories.
World BEYOND War continues to vow to work for the abolition of wars and the establishment of a just and sustainable peace system in the world.
This year, as we commemorate the day of peace, World BEYOND War Asia partnered with several organizations and institutions to conduct two major events. With the help of movements and academic institutions like Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KILUSAN), PEACE Philippines, and the Philippine Normal University (PNU), we held symbolic actions depicting our advocacy for peace and our opposition to war and militarism.
Peace Umbrellas
Entitled “PEACE Umbrellas: Shield against Continuous Rain of War and Militarism,” World BEYOND War Asia, KILUSAN and its member organizations gathered at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Memorial) in Quezon City, Philippines, to hold white umbrellas bearing various calls such as “Free Palestine,” “Peace Not War,” “Reject Pax Silica,” and other anti-militarism and pro-peace demands. Five larger umbrellas spelled out “PEACE” to highlight the main call of the event.
The venue, Bantayog ng mga Bayani, is significant because its walls of remembrance bear the names of many anti-Martial Law activists who fought during the dark days of the regime of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. The International Day of Peace also fell on the exact date when the former dictator declared Martial Law, a 14-year period that resulted in atrocities including abductions, incarcerations, killings, massacres, torture, and the displacement of communities.
Umbrellas also hold special significance as the country continues to face massive flooding due to a lack of government response to natural disasters like typhoons. For a year now, Filipinos have used umbrellas in protests to remind everyone of the effects of typhoons and monsoon rains flooding our communities, while government officials swim in millions of pesos diverted through corruption in flood-control projects. Now, as the country strengthens its ties with the U.S. and pawns the nation to continuous war games, the people hope to shield themselves from further atrocities this partnership will bring to the Philippines and its citizens.
Kite-Flying and Conversations of Peace
To conclude the International Day of Peace week, WBW Asia partnered with the Philippine Normal University (PNU) and PEACE Philippines to host an event dubbed “PEACE UP! Sending our Messages of Peace High Up for the World to See,” hosted at PNU in Manila City, Philippines
Attended by over 200 students, faculty members, and representatives from several student and thematic (off-campus) organizations, the event focused on the overarching call for global peace. Before the actual kite-flying activity, we held a conversation on peace featuring stories from various individuals and organizations.
We were fortunate to have with us Dr. Swee-Hin Toh, the 2000 UNESCO Peace Education Laureate, and Mahadia Abu Dalal, a Filipino-Palestinian educator and refugee based in a province in Southern Luzon. Dr. Toh shared how they have tirelessly worked in peace education even as the world continues to suffer from war and militarism, how the vision of peace inspires young people to join the advocacy, and the lessons learned from decades of peace education.
Mahadia shared how recent attacks in Palestine have affected their lives, creating refugees and tearing families apart. As an educator, she emphasized the importance of continuous conversations to share stories from the ground, ensure they are heard, and find ways to improve difficult situations.
We also heard a response from the PNU student body, represented by Christine (Luna) Zonio, a student in the Social Sciences program. She called on everyone to get involved in efforts to end U.S. imperialistic wars and militarism. Luna also stressed that partnerships and agreements like those the U.S. and the Philippines continue to enter into must be rejected, as they pose greater threats and place communities in serious danger.
To conclude the event, participants marched toward the PNU Grassland holding kites inscribed with different calls for peace. We gathered in front of the main grounds of PNU to shoot a video message shouting KALAYAAN (freedom/peace).
The kite-flying activity also held deep significance for peace and democracy activists, as it serves as a form of communication along the Thailand-Myanmar border. In an anecdote shared by Thess Limpin from PEACE Philippines, she noted that Burmese and Rohingya refugees who fled their home countries and settled near the border use kites to signal to other communities that they are still alive.
Our Message of Peace
For many Filipinos, kite-flying is also a way for families to bond. Traditionally, weekend family days involve going to parks for picnics, where parents teach their kids outdoor games, including how to fly kites. Picnics, kite-flying, and other outdoor activities signify strengthening unity within families and fostering harmonious, peaceful relationships.
While the current global situation often presents an image of chaos, activities like ours teach people to hope for a better future.
These gatherings, while physically sharing stories and messages of hope, serve as a reminder to connect with the people around us. They build and strengthen our commitment to continuously work together toward our common goal of peace.
Days after the International Day of Peace, Israel, as represented by Benjamin Netanyahu, faced various government representatives during the UN General Assembly. While many representatives walked out in protest, others remained. This shows how much work we still have to do to champion our call for peace. Those nations that stood by Israel and Netanyahu while he continued to defend the genocide of the Palestinian people must also be held accountable; they, too, have blood on their hands.
The Day of Peace may be just a single-day declaration for some, but for many, it is a daily, lived experience. From the Palestinian people to the many refugees of Myanmar and the communities in the Philippines suffering from military exercises, there is a shared, continuous call to abolish the war system and establish peace as an alternative.
#DayOfPeacePH2026
