The SGI-Philippines Youth Division successfully held its National YD Peace Fair simultaneously across four main cities—Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao—on September 14. This year marks the second Peace Fair, serving as a grassroots movement led by the youth to commemorate and embody the spirit of second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda’s historic 1957 declaration ‘Calling for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons’.

In the Visayas and Mindanao regions, more than 300 youth and guests participated in the event. The Davao Culture Center welcomed Mr. Vince Molejon, Secretary General of the Mindanao Peace Council, while the Cagayan de Oro Culture Center featured Dr. Primitivo Ragandang III, Associate Professor of Political Science at Mindanao State University. Both speakers delivered inspiring messages on unity, cooperation, and peace.

At the national level, the Peace Fair was held at the Manila International Peace Center (MIPC), located in Escolta, Manila. The event brought together approximately 300 youth participants, along with distinguished guests representing various Civil Society Organizations (CSO).

The Peace Fair commenced with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the viewing of the exhibition “Everything You Treasure: For A World Free of Nuclear Weapons.” Following the opening, our guest speaker Dr. Loreta Castro, who is the current Executive Director of Center for Peace Education and country representative of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), delivered a lecture entitled “The Reality of Nuclear Weapons Today: Why Should We Care?” In her presentation, Dr. Castro emphasized that nuclear weapons are the most inhumane and indiscriminate tools of destruction ever created, and must be eliminated at all costs. She commended the SGI youth for organizing the Peace Fair, recognizing it as a powerful initiative rooted in the peace philosophies of Soka Gakkai founding presidents.

Also in attendance were Mr. Rafea El-Hawi, president and CEO of the Philippine Arab Cooperation Council Inc (PACCI); Ms. Ma. Theresa J. Limpin, Program and Resource Development Officer of PACCI; and Mr. Andrew K. Arriola, CSO Representative of City of Manila Solid Waste Management Board. During the Peace Fair, Mr. El-Hawi—a Palestinian refugee who migrated to the Philippines over three decades ago—expressed his heartfelt appreciation for SGI’s warm hospitality. He shared that it was his first time participating in a peace initiative and learning about SGI, and he felt deeply honored and impressed by the event. Mr. El-Hawi conveyed his hope for a stronger bond and continued partnership with SGI Philippines in future peace-building efforts. In her closing remarks, SGI-Philippines General Director Hisako Alcantara shared a deeply inspiring words from SGI president Daisaku Ikeda. She emphasized that the most important thing for youth is to believe in themselves—that within each young person lies the power as vast as the universe to transform this chaotic world into one of peace and harmony through unwavering personal conviction and courageous determination.

MIPC, Manila

Cebu

Cagayan de Oro

Davao

This year’s Peace Fair theme, “Soka Youth Rising: Our Stand Against Nuclear Weapons,” embodies the deep resolve of Soka youth to carry forward their mentor’s spirit by rejecting passivity and actively engaging in the global movement for a world free of nuclear weapons. It also affirms their commitment to opposing war and conflict in all its forms.