Amidst the ceaseless struggle between the government and the radical terrorist groups in Mindanao, a new hope for peace is dawning in this "Promised Land," as it is often called.

This developed after the Global Peace Festival (GPF) was successfully held in Cagayan de Oro City despite postponements loomed following the advise given by top government officials and members of the academe, in connection with the peace and order situation in the island.

Organizers said that their GPF partners – governors and mayors, heads of different government organizations (Gos) and non-government organizations (NGOs), youth sector and particularly the Department of Education (DepEd) in Mindanao – had prepared for months for this gala event and were determined to hold the festival no matter what – they saw this peace festival as one of the last remaining rays of hope.

From Sept. 19 to 21, 2008, the GPF in the Mindanao was finally held where a series of leadership conferences, community service projects, and other peace initiatives were organized.

Organizers said tens of thousands of people celebrated, rather than fought over, their religious and ethnic diversity.

The festival gathered indigenous tribal chieftains from 55 different tribes making it the most diverse representation of indigenous peoples ever assembled on the island.

The GPF vision was "One Family Under God." The event was co-chaired by Dr. Haja Esnaira Estrella Abid-Babano, DepEd Region X director, and Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula.

The GPF was jointly sponsored by the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Mayor, DepEd, the Fourth Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, and the Universal Peace Federation.

"The Peace Village is a novel idea. It brings Christians, Muslims and Indigenous People together in a living/learning environment. Three times a year, 2,000 people come to the Peace Village and live together in this community for four days." Babano said.

"They will immerse themselves in each other’s culture, to learn the traditions and religious values of the others, Babano added.

Tubod City, where the Peace Village was located, is 250 kilometers from Cagayan de Oro City and Gov. Khalid Q. Dimaporo came to lend his full support for the event.

This event also launched what is now called the Mindanao Peace Initiative (MinPI).

"Without a doubt," said Dr. Robert Kittel from the United States of America who has lived in Asia for more than 30 years and is Director of Peace Education for UPF, "this initiative will create a strong social impact to revive the peace process in Mindanao."