“We may not share the same faith, but we all want to convey the same message and same love,” said Bernabe Magsino, Stake President of the Quezon City South Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, during the 8th Interfaith Family Forum held at the Aurora Chapel last September 23, 2025.
Hosted by the Church in partnership with the National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Religions for Peace Philippines, the forum brought together interfaith leaders and advocates to mark Family Week and strengthen the call to protect and uplift Filipino families.
President Magsino in his message, emphasized the foundational role of the family and the responsibility of parents to lead by example. Quoting President David O. McKay, he reminded attendees that “No other success can compensate for failure in the home.”
He also expressed appreciation for the diversity of faiths present at the event, noting, “We are all infinitely valued and loved,” and called interfaith gatherings a testament that “love really has no boundaries as it brings hope and peace to the nation.”
"A Crisis Beyond Crisis": Defending the Family in Policy
Atty. Jeremiah Belgica of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches addressed the theme “Family-Centered Social Policies: Building Stronger and More Resilient Filipino Homes.” He emphasized the importance of protecting freedom of speech and religion in shaping better family policies for Filipinos.
“There is a crisis beyond crisis,” Belgica said, pointing to how family values are tied to the global birth rate decline. “The family is the bedrock of survival… Under the law, the state must protect, not replace, family life.”
Parenthood as Commitment, Not Burden
Rev. Fr. Richard James Babao, Dean and Prefect of Discipline at Holy Apostles Senior Seminary and Commissioner for the Ministry of Interfaith Affairs of the Archdiocese of Manila, opened his message by sharing a personal story about a young “sakristan” named Francis. The boy, he revealed, lives with his grandfather after being abandoned by both parents. The experience made him more attentive to the family situations of those in his congregation.
He spoke on the responsibilities that come with family life, and said that “anyone who has the intention and consent of getting married should expect a life out of the relationship and be totally committed to bearing a child.” He stressed that parenthood should be embraced, not avoided: “Having a child is not a burden but a gift.” He closed by addressing fellow faith leaders: “There is more work for us to do, us the people of different faiths.”
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Preparing Families for a Digital Future
Dr. Ernani Jaime, Vice Chairperson of the NCFF Advocacy and Social Mobilization Subcommittee and a representative from the Department of Education’s Bureau of Learning Delivery, spoke on the importance of literacy and education for all Filipino families.
“We as adults should not be bystanders, we should be the pilots,” Jaime said, referring to how families must actively guide children in navigating education, especially in digital spaces.
He noted the mental health impacts of AI and technology, including increased anxiety and social dissociation, which strain family cohesion. Despite these challenges, he emphasized the continuing role of education and community support. He assured that “the organizations in communities are present and there to help and provide support to the families,” and emphasized the Department of Education’s efforts to reinforce values learned at home.
A Shared Commitment Across Faiths
The Interfaith Family Forum is a yearly reminder that despite religious differences, the mission to uplift and protect families is a common goal. Leaders from various sectors offered perspectives on strengthening homes through policy, parenthood, and education, heavily emphasizing the shared belief that families are the cornerstone of a resilient nation.
As President Bernabe Magsino expressed, “We may not share the same faith, but we all want to convey the same message and same love.” In a time of rapid change, the call to build strong, values-based families remains a unifying force across communities.