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Philippines Interfaith Family Forum Highlights Importance of Building Bridges During Difficult Times

The Church is hosting a weeklong family-focused series of livestreamed shows on its Philippines Facebook page

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Presenters from the 3rd Interfaith Family Forum in the Philippines answer questions following the virtual event on September 23, 2020. Screenshot courtesy of Church News.2020 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
                                               

This story appears here courtesy of TheChurchNews.com. It is not for use by other media.

By Aubrey Eyre, Church News

In the Philippines, the family is the “foundation of the nation,” as it is referred to in the country’s constitution. And in 1992, the country affirmed that belief with the signing of Proclamation 60, which established National Family Week, celebrated annually during the last week of September.

This year marks the 28th National Family Week for the South Asian island nation, and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there are celebrating throughout the week of September 21–27 with the theme #BFF: Building Forever Families.

With the COVID-19 pandemic bringing unique challenges and circumstances, the Church is hosting a weeklong series of livestreamed shows on its Philippines Facebook page. The series also features specially themed efforts focusing on family bonding through activities like family home evening, fitness and family history. The series shares important fundamentals for self-sufficiency, like budgeting and finances, farming and gardening, and the building of foundations of faith.

The events of National Family Week “bring to the surface deep-seated, closely held desires within all of us to protect our family members and promote values and traditions that will fortify our children against the evils and challenges of our day,” said Elder Steven R. Bangerter, General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the Philippines Area presidency.

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Elder Steven R. Bangerter of the Philippines Area presidency speaks on spirituality during the 3rd Interfaith Family Forum in the Philippines on September 23, 2020. Screenshot courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.
                                                          
Speaking to the Church News following the main event for the week — the 3rd Interfaith Family Forum, hosted September 23 in partnership with the Filipino interfaith community, Uniharmony Partners Manila and the National Committee on the Filipino Family — Elder Bangerter explained that the week’s virtual gatherings provided a space for leaders from many faiths to share “wisdom and learning that teach parents to establish a foundation of love, unity and trust within their homes.”

He continued, “Our efforts this week seek to put into action [President Russell M. Nelson’s] encouragement to reach out and befriend those not of our faith. His example is a cherished blessing to the entire Church membership and emulates the love and compassion of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”

The theme of the Interfaith Family Forum was “Mapagkalingang Pagtugon at Proteksyon sa Bawat Pamilyang Pilipino Mula sa Suliraning Pang-Ekonomiya at Karahasan sa Gitna ng Pandemyang COVID-19” or “The Caring Response and Protection of Every Filipino Family From Economic Concerns and Dangers Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.” A lineup of speakers shared their expertise on issues that affect the modern family, such as mental health and suicide, pornography and addiction, social media, health and wellness, self-reliance and spirituality.

#BFF | BOLSTERING FAMILY FINANCES

BOLSTERING FAMILY FINANCES

Posted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Philippines on Wednesday, September 23, 2020
These professionals from various faiths joined together to provide engaging virtual presentations that stimulate meaningful interactions among the thousands who tuned-in, Elder Bangerter said. By sharing common interests and concerns for the well-being of children and families, theological differences and boundaries can be transcended as meaningful friendships are established.

“Understanding that these tender emotions tied to our love as parents for the well-being of our children are held by every loving, nurturing, caring parent enables a true coming together in genuine bonds of friendship,” Elder Bangerter said. “We saw that coming together during the interfaith forum on the family as members of various faiths provided prayers, gave presentations and participated in the process of answering questions submitted by listeners online throughout the two-hour broadcast.”

Leading the event as the keynote speaker, Luzviminda C. Ilagan, the undersecretary for policy and plans in the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the Philippines, noted that the challenges already facing families in the Philippines have been aggravated by the pandemic and the burdens of quarantine. And while the government has worked to provide the aid and solutions needed to help those most adversely affected, citizens also have a responsibility to address the needs of their neighbors, she explained.

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Presenters from the 3rd Interfaith Family Forum in the Philippines answer questions following the virtual event on September 23, 2020. Screenshot courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.
                                             
“We are now working and living under a new normal, and we have to adjust. But hope should still be there,” she said.

Emphasizing the importance of gratitude and hope amid difficult circumstances, Ilagan called upon faith leaders and participants in the event to serve as examples. “It is incumbent upon us … that we do something to encourage people to retain hope,” she said. “Now more than [at] any other time in our history as a people, as a nation, we have to find strength among all of us. … We cannot survive this pandemic alone.”

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Carlomagno Aguilar, a home gardener in the Philippines, speaks about self-reliance through farming and growing food during 3rd Interfaith Family Forum in the Philippines on Sept. 23, 2020. Screenshot courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.
                    

                                             

Following the keynote, presentations during the event were provided by Dr. Maribel Canlas, a clinical counseling psychologist, who spoke on mental health and suicide; Mary Ann Balen, with LDS Family Services, who spoke about addiction and pornography; Rev. Fr. Roy Bellen of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila, who spoke on the dilemma of social media; Carlomagno Aguilar, a home gardener, who spoke about self-reliance through farming and growing food; Renz Christian Argao, the national adviser for the Youth for Mental Health Coalition, who spoke about mental health; and Elder Bangerter, who spoke about the importance of spirituality in the family.

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Mary Ann Balen of LDS Family Services in the Philippines speaks during the 3rd Interfaith Family Forum on September 23, 2020. Screenshot courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.
                                    
Coming together to learn about and discuss how to strengthen and help families during the challenges of an unprecedented time like the COVID-19 pandemic was essential, Elder Bangerter said.

“While the pandemic has, in many cases, caused families to experience isolation, fear and hopelessness, interfaith webinars and online activities focused on the family [bring] the light of the Holy Ghost, who bears witness of every truth taught throughout the week,” he said. “What may previously have been seen as ‘boundaries’ established by different beliefs and religious affiliation, become less significant when we engage together in efforts like the National Family Week to strengthen and sustain healthy, happy, enduring family relationships.”

                 
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The Rev. Fr. Roy Bellen, of the Archdiocese of Manila, in the Philippines, speaks on the dilemma of social media during the 3rd Interfaith Family Forum in the Philippines on September 23, 2020. Screenshot courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.
                                                     
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Arlyn Revillo moderates the 3rd Interfaith Family Forum virtual event in the Philippines on September 23, 2020. Screenshot courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.
                                                   

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