Before we delve into the details of the organization, let us once and for all clarify one thing: we are not a leftist or communist organization. We never were when we had organized ourselves, nor will we ever be aligned. We have unfairly and unjustly been mislabelled. Our motives were questioned and doubted, as if the organization had hidden agenda. And the actions and misconceptions of some misguided individuals who tend to generalize, all which bear the name "KAAKBAY" have negatively affected the organization's members. The organization is knowledgeable of the fact that there are at least two other entities which use the name "KAAKBAY", one of which was depicted on TV having one of their members step on a picture of HE President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. However, we would like to differentiate ourselves from the other two organizations. In fact, our organization bears a name-extention, which is "TPYD" or "Tri-People Youth Dialogue".

The word "KAAKBAY", as it is used in our organization's name, is not an acronym of sorts. It is a Tagalog word which basically means, "one who places his/her arm over another's shoulder." KAAKBAY is a non-stock, non-profit, non-government cross-sectoral youth organization. Its members are skilled and experienced in conducting CULTURE OF PEACE TRAINING and YOUTH EMPOWERMENT TRAINING (Adolescent Health, Personal Development, Drug Awareness). Within the year, its Capability Building and Skills Training Program Team of Facilitators shall hopefully be trained as well in Disaster Management and Preparedness and Community Organizing and Development.

It believes that, little or no development in the community can take place and be sustained if the peace situation is not stabilized first. Peace is the ground on which the plant of development grows. KAAKBAY does not believe that peace can be sustained if it was initially attained through the use of force or coercion or military superiority. It believes in the power of dialogue as a method of settling conflicts, whether in arms, in ideology, in faith, or in way of life, particularly between and among the Tri-People. KAAKBAY strives to help eradicate cultural prejudices, religious animosity, and tribal discrimination. It endeavors to advance peaceful coexistence, mutual tolerance and understanding between and among the Tri-People and educates them about the diversity and common historical and ethnic roots of the different Malayo-Polynesian or Austronesian tribes present in Mindanao (i.e. Cebuano, Boholano, Chavacano, Kapampangan, Ilonggo, Tagalog, Ilocano, Maranao, Maguindanaon, Tausug, Iranun, Sangir, Badjao, Samal, Kolibugan, B'laan, Teduray, T'boli, Subanen, Manobo, Batak, etc.) through constructive peace-building despite their diverse cultures in the form of awareness campaigns such as trainings and other capability-building programs.

KAAKBAY is not a militant organization. It is neither leftist nor rightist in orientation. In fact, it is non-aligned. Though we have the highest respect for these organizations, we are dissimilar in the application of methods in the protection of the rights and welfare of the masses. However, it doesn't mean that these organizations are the only ones with the exclusive right to use the syllables "ka" or "ak" or "bay" or whatever. The soundbite may be quite similar, but our respective organizations are totally different and our respective fields of specialization are definitely unrelated. Moreover, everyone has the right to use these syllables, as they are found in the Filipino language.

KAAKBAY is an organization composed of student leaders (college and high school), young achievers and young professionals. These student leaders, young achievers and young professionals come from the TRI-PEOPLE (Settlers, Moro, and Lumad sectors) of Mindanao, Philippines who have called themselves "Young Peace-builders".

The officers and members of KAAKBAY have been trained with a specialized skill in promoting a CULTURE OF PEACE (COP) in the community and have been given the tag of "Youth Trainors" by their trainor in their role as young peace-builders. A select group of forty (40) members were trained by Mr. Emmanuel "Kuya Eme" B. Amancio, PRP Project Officer of the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), which has a branch office at Davao City. Through the GOP-UN/Multi-Donor Programme - Area Coordinating Team for Southern Mindanao, which is part of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), we are hoping to be trained in Disaster Management (DMT) and Community Organization and Community Development (COCD) within the year 2003. Most probably, no other youth organization in the Philippines has been given that privilege, or shall eventually possess such qualifications among its members, which would redound to the greater benefit of this city, this region and this island.

KAAKBAY-TPYD is recognized by the National Youth Commission by virtue of NRP Resolution No. 011, Series of 2003. Click here to read/view the said resolution.

For further details about KAAKBAY, click here to read our Constitution and By-Laws. Read the "Creed of the Tri-People Peace-Builders" here. Read our "Call to Unity" here.