Gebert Manda Andang, one of the former Program Coordinators for MPI’s Resource-Based Conflict and Peacebuilding Training Program, tragically died in a work-related accident on Tuesday evening, February 25, 2020.

Gebert, affectionately known as “Terso,” was part of the Resource-Based Conflict and Peacebuilding Training Program team from August of 2014 until June of 2017. He was responsible for assisting with the trainings in whatever ways needed, including being a documenter and helping to prepare the venues, programs and activities. Terso also worked directly with the communities, including following up on the validation of their Certificate of Ancestral Domain Titles and Indigenous Political Structure. He was key in the production of the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent guidebook published by MPI to assist the ancestral domains in Northwestern Mindanao and wherever else it could be used.

Between May-August 2019, the Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute (MPI) convened a series of meetings of cultural workers and peacebuilder in Mindanao, Philippines to discuss IMPACT (Imaging Together A Platform for Arts, Culture and Conflict Transformation) and their engagement in this ecosystem. Babu Ayindo, an arts and peacebuilding practitioner and IMPACT Steering Committee member co-facilitated the first meeting on May 25 together with Christine Vertucci, the Director of MPI and one of the participants of IMPACT Design Lab.

Participants shared about their work in the performing arts and the challenges they have faced over the years; how they have used arts and storytelling to process trauma and the need for a platform for artists and peacebuilders to come together. A participant who is an indigenous person spoke about how she uses theater to engage young people in her community to understand and appreciate their own culture. Another participant who is a teacher believes that through the performing arts, young people not only become aware of their own culture but also are able to explore ways to inform the world about Mindanao culture.

MPI is pleased to welcome alumna and facilitator Phyusin Ngwethaw as an intern through the Rotary Peace Fellowship with the University of Queensland, Australia, to work with MPI’s Research, Documentation and Learning Program. Phyusin will be helping to identify and document best-practice peacebuilding experiences of MPI alumni and assess the relevance of MPI trainings. Part of her internship will take place at MPI’s office in Davao City, while part shall be with MPI partner organizations and MPI alumni in Laos. When in Laos, Phyusin plans to meet with MPI alumni and partner organizations for interviews and focus group discussions. She will then share these stories and lessons learned with MPI. MPI will in turn utilize what was learned to improve its own practices and share stories with our alumni and network.

As the Director of the Social Development Initiative-Myanmar (SDI) that is located in Yangon, Myanmar, Phyusin leads the organization in facilitating program design, planning, monitoring and evaluation of SDI’s community development and humanitarian assistance projects. Phyusin is recognized nationally as an expert, building the capacity of the armed forces and other groups in the area of civilian protection, particularly with children and youth. She also builds the capacity of those involved in local government structures focusing on development to ensure that they use a rights-based approach in their work. Phyusin advises various UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and international consultancy firms in the area of assessment, monitoring, and evaluation of humanitarian and development projects and programs with a conflict sensitive lens. Phyusin holds a MA in Public Policy from the National University of Singapore and is an alumna of MPI. Phyusin is currently a rotary peace fellow.

The Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute wishes to welcome Renato R. Pepito, who has joined MPI’s team as the Grassroots Peacebuilding Mentors Training Program Officer. Renato moved to Davao City from Cagayan de Oro City where he was working as Training Coordinator for the Mindanaw Tripartite Youth Core in partnership with the Philippine Government’s Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process under the Social Healing and Peace Promoting Project. Prior to that, Renato was the Project Coordinator under the ICOPE Project of Save the Children in partnership with Ranao Women and Children Resource Center, Inc. in response to the Marawi Siege in 2017. Renato was a Program Assistant of George Mason University Study Abroad Program in Cambodia and Philippines, worked as a research documenter and transcriber under Dr. Al Fuertes with the Karen refugees at the Thai-Burmese border and served as Field Documenter and Community Worker under the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines. He also has provided psychosocial interventions for various organizations in response to the aftermath of Typhoons Sendong and Pablo. Renato also has worked as a freelance psychosocial care and capacity building facilitator, and as a resource person, educator and lecturer. Renato was born in Maramag, Bukidnon, Mindanao, raised in Cagayan de Oro and studied at Lourdes College where he received his Bachelor of Science in Social Work.