US PINOYS FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE
115 East 57th Street, Suite 1430
New York, NY 10022


PRAYER POWER IS COMBINED WITH PEOPLE POWER
171 Sites All Over the World Join the Global Day of Prayer for Peace
in the Spratlys on August 21, 2011
Filipino communities are praying for peace while commemorating the 28th death anniversary of Ninoy Aquino

NEW YORK, NY (August 19, 2011) – Over 100 cities in America, Europe, Australia and Asia will say one petition, one prayer on Sunday, August 21, 2011: ”We pray for God's enlightenment for a peaceful and just resolution of the Spratly Islands dispute especially between the governments of the Philippines and China, we pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.”

After simultaneous rallies in front of the 6 Consular Offices in the US, plus those in Canada and the Philippines, protesting China’s intrusion of seas within the 125 Nautical Miles of the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, the US Pinoys for Good Governance (USP4GG) has announced its new goal to have 100 sites across America and around the world where Filipino communities will learn about the Spratlys conflict issue and say a prayer for peace in the islands disputed between the Philippines and China.

Today, Prayer Forums in Dubai, Dublin, London, Nebraska, Missouri, and Mississippi and most of the United States, plus the Philippines are set. Prayers are also said in the personal petitions of many faithful Filipinos.

This Day of Prayer for Peace also coincides with the 28th Death Anniversary of the modern hero Ninoy Aquino who was an Overseas Filipino Worker but never forgot to show his love and courage for his fellow Filipinos. Encouraging Filipino communities around the world to organize among themselves, USP4GG has proposed the target of 100 sites across America and around the world where Filipinos will say the Prayer for Peace, followed by a discussion of the Spratlys issue. Days before August 21, prayer groups, including one which has 30 million members, have volunteered to pray for this special, patriotic petition.

The prayers are personally intended for the Philippine Navy Officers who went to the Spratly Islands aboard the Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas – Gregorio Del Pilar to defend Philippine territory.

“Since we are not there with them physically, we can only be with them in spirit, in prayer. As Filipinos, we have strength faith in God and how he will guide us in our battles,” said Loida Nicolas Lewis, Chair of the US Pinoys for Good Governance from New York City

“We are thankful to the global Filipino for answering our call and showing their love of country, whether they’re inside or outside the Philippines,” said Rodel Rodis, President of USP4GG who proposed the prayer forum. “We are elated to know that people have acknowledged the wonders not only of people power, but more so, prayer power.”


If you would like to attend a Prayer for Peace in the Spratlys on Sunday, August 21, and would like to know the location of a Spratlys prayer event nearest you, please log on to: epeoplepower.ph or USP4GG.org, or contact Carissa Villacorta, the prayer for peace national coordinator at epeoplepower.organizer@gmail.com or call (646) 431-3611.

If you live in New York or New Jersey, please join us at St Lucy's Church at 344 E. 104th St at 6PM on Sunday, August 21 for a Mass with Special Prayer for Peace in the Spratlys, followed by a 7pm Town Hall Meeting with $10 Dinner discussing the Spratlys issue.

If you can't be in any of the sites in Dublin, Dubai, Makati or Mississippi, visit www.epeoplepower.ph for a live discussion and Q&A regarding the Spraltys issue with USP4GG Chair Loida Nicolas Lewis from NYC on August 21 at 9pm EST, 6pm PST, and 9am Aug 22 in the Philippines. Send questions via Twitter @epeoplepower Use hashtag #peaceinspratlys.

PRESS CONTACT:
Carissa Villacorta
646-431-3611 mobile
carissa.villacorta@gmail.com