Archive for the ‘philippines’ tag
Faith in the Philippines
The Philippines is in many ways the perfect place to explore the complexities surrounding the relationship between faith and globalization, both past and present.
As a society deeply influenced historically by Spanish, Indonesian, Malaysian and indigenous cultures, the Philippines finds itself in the 21st century occupying a delicate and profoundly important role in both Asian and Western trade and foreign affairs. I am therefore pleased to announce that the Tony Blair Faith Foundation has just established a deep and extensive partnership in the Philippines: a schools initiative to make inter-faith dialogue a part of social education, a program presently in 17 other nations; and a consortium of universities that will join the global Faith and Globalization course that was begun at Yale in the USA and is now in 8 countries round the world.
The Philippines is a great place to exchange such ideas. It is a fascinating country on the move, facing big challenges but with enormous possibility which it is starting to fulfill. It has a new president with a strong mandate and the determination and capability to succeed and a people behind him willing him on. It is a nation of 100 million, situated in the middle of the rising East, with resources, culture and beauty to shape its future. Its people are hard-working and smart. Its poverty remains real, but so is its potential.
Presenters in the News: Msgr. Marcos Orbito
Our Presenter Msgr. Marcos Orbito has generously shared this recording of the Aeta people of the Philippines, with whom he works. Here they talk about the struggles of their community and perform a traditional fire dance. The dance is performed in response to epidemics, to prepare for honey harvesting or a boar hunt and to drive away evil spirits. To watch the video, click here.
