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The Tripeople Mural

Artwork by Bert Monterona
A RESOURCE FOR PEACEBUILDERS IN ASIA

The Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute (MPI) is an Asian training institute grounded in the Mindanao, Philippines, context that provides a space for people of diverse backgrounds to gather together, share and learn in a safe environment where all viewpoints are encouraged and respected. MPI is a resource for peacebuilders: providing skills, conducting research and building solidarity within the Asia-Pacific Region.

MPI was established in the year 2000 through the collective effort of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) to bring together peacebuilders of diverse cultures from the Asia-Pacific Region to participate in its annual peacebuilding training. Since its inception, MPI has been a meeting point of peacebuilders from countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Fiji Islands, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste, USA, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Aside from gaining new practical skills, many participants ascribe equal value to the bonding, friendships, and solidarity that are created among peace advocates from many different countries. Indeed, MPI has become a venue where participants strengthen their commitment to peacebuilding through continuing association with peer practitioners.

In its desire to be a wellspring of peace processes and initiatives, MPI has created a space where peacebuilders meet in mind, heart, and spirit to keep abreast of the challenges that the issues of peace and justice present. In a professional and personal way, MPI, through its programs, offers opportunities by which the journey of peace becomes real in the lives of peacebuilders and their communities.

In November 2009, MPI became an independent legal foundation in the Philippines. For as long as stories of peace unfold and communities struggle with conflict and violence, MPI will stand fast in its mission—training, empowering, and celebrating peace, justice and nonviolent social transformation throughout Asia-Pacific and the world.

MPI Training Participants in a circle with community members outside

Vision

Just and peaceful communities in Asia-Pacific.

Shadow play with people holding hands in front of butterfly

Mission

MPI seeks to deepen commitment to justice and peace; respect for human rights; and dialogue and solidarity among individuals, institutions, and communities.

MPI Training Participants holding signs Making Peace Possible

Goal

Individuals, institutions, and communities empowered as catalysts for peace and social transformation.

Objectives

1
To educate, train, and build capacities of individuals and their institutions in the field of peacebuilding.
2
To refine learning, enhance knowledge, and share materials related to peacebuilding.
3
To create space and connect people from diverse sectors to build a critical mass of peacebuilders to promote justpeace.
MPI TEAM

GINA LYN ADLAON
Administrative Officer

Gina holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Southeastern Philippines. After graduating, she moved to Manila, gaining experience in real estate and career education. In 2006, Gina returned to Davao and began working in development administration, including nearly 14 years with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on project-based initiatives. She also served in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (now Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao). Gina joined MPI in September 2019.

ELAINE BACAYO-ADLAO
Cashier/Finance Assistant

Elaine is an undergraduate from the St. John Paul II College of Davao with a BS in Education major in English. She volunteered for MPI Annual Training in 2015 as Logistics Assistant and 2019 as Annual Training Assistant. Elaine is happily working at MPI, where she continues to deepen her knowledge and understanding of peacebuilding. She is also a devoted wife and mother of two.

NUR HUSSAIN MABA
Grassroots Peacebuilding Mentors Training Program Officer

Nur holds a degree in AB English from Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan and was a Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange & Study Program scholar, spending a year in Overland Park, Kansas, while attending Blue Valley West High School in 2005–2006. His passion for community development, culture, and peacebuilding began in 2011 as a hosting program manager for an intercultural organization in Manila. In 2018, he returned to Davao City to serve as a program officer at a peacebuilding institute, later taking on roles as a researcher and project coordinator for various universities. Born and raised by the Pacific Ocean in Mati, Davao Oriental, he enjoys swimming and relaxing on the beach.

NANCY CATULONG
Finance Officer

A development worker with over 20 years of experience in finance and administration, Nancy earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Notre Dame of Marbel University in Koronadal City, South Cotabato. She has worked with Task Force Detainees of the Philippines-Mindanao (TFDP-M), Mindanao Coalition of Development NGO Networks (MINCODE), Coconut Industry Cluster Link (Cocolink), and other NGOs on a part-time basis. Working with non-government organizations in her field of expertise is her humble contribution to the welfare of underprivileged members of society.

QUEENILYN M. LIWAT
Peacebuilding Training Program Officer

Queenie is a peacebuilding and education advocate with experience as a licensed teacher and practitioner. Active in the Kalinaw Youth Movement at Central Mindanao University, she later led grassroots initiatives, developed peace education materials, and built partnerships across Mindanao. She served as Regional Projects Coordinator for Just Projects Philippines Foundation (2015–2019) and as Program Officer for Community-based Peacebuilding with Pailig Development Foundation, Inc. (2019–2021). An MPI alumna, she joined the Grassroots Peacebuilding Mentors Training (2020–2021) and volunteered at MPI’s 2022 Annual Peacebuilding Training.

CATHERINE JOY CATULONG
Technical and Communication Support Specialist

As a Communication and Media Arts graduate from the University of the Philippines Mindanao, CJ is passionate about media production and visual communication. She was a Jury Prize Winner during the 2019 Cinemalaya Campus Short Shorts Film Competition and was awarded a Production Thesis with Distinction for her study in creating a picture storybook using the narratives of Filipino children in the COVID-19 pandemic. CJ also served as a volunteer during the 2022 Annual Peacebuilding Training and as an Annual Peacebuilding Training Assistant in the following year.

ANNA LOREN GINCO
Research, Documentation, and Learning Assistant

Anna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of the Philippines in Mindanao. With a strong interest in media and human studies, she moved to Manila after finishing her degree and gained valuable experience working in various roles within advertising and media agencies. In 2019, Anna returned to her hometown of Davao City to to pursue creative writing and social science research.

GIMAIDEE ANN C. MOYA
Director

Mai is a dedicated community development, peace, and conflict transformation practitioner with over 15 years of experience. An alumna of MPI’s Annual Peacebuilding Training and a graduate-mentor of its Grassroots Peacebuilding Mentors Program, her work focuses on justice, peace, and social cohesion, particularly in Mindanao. Before joining MPI, she was a Freelance Consultant at BePeace Consultancy, co-developing innovative non-formal education methods and mentoring youth leaders while addressing issues like gender-based violence, interfaith collaboration, and internal displacement.

Mai's career journey encompasses a transformative evolution from a volunteer to Acting Managing Director at Pailig Development Foundation, Inc., leading initiatives that fostered social cohesion and resilience, particularly after the Marawi Siege and during the pandemic.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OFFICERS
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MYLA LEGURO
PRESIDENT
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GRACE HERCYK
VICE-PRESIDENT
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CARMEN LAUZON-GATMAYTAN
SECRETARY
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NORODIN D. SALAM
TREASURER
MEMBERS
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RODELIO AMBANGAN
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ELVIRA C. ANG SINCO
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MARK ANTHONY TORRES