At 11:00 am, the Vice President attended the opening of the Indo-Pacific Conference of the Theosophical Society at Microtel by Wyndham Hotel, Ayala Technohub, Quezon City. The Indo-Pacific Federation of the Theosophical Society is one of four regional federations of the Theosophical Society, an international organization based in Adyar, India that is dedicated to the principles of Theosophy. The member countries of the Indo-Pacific Federation of the Theosophical Society gather every three years for fellowship and mutual support with the host country varying each time. For this year, the Theosophical Society in the Philippines will serve as the host. The conference aims to gather delegates from various countries to explore together approaches to bringing a new world order for humankind based on the core teachings of world regions, the ethical foundation of justice and peace, and the free search for meaning in living a spiritual life.

In her speech, the Vice President talked about the many challenges the country is facing. She also told inspiring stories of ordinary Filipinos she met through the Angat Buhay program, which should inspire us to serve as hope to other people. “Amid all the chaos and politics around us, I find comfort in knowing that we can become a country where people are united around our common values: hope, perseverance, and a deep faith in the goodness of humanity. We should become a country where people pull each other up rather than tear each other apart, where conversations demand truth and reject lies. We can be more than who we are now by being the messengers of hope our world needs—not the kind of hope that is passive or superficial, but the kind that is brave, defiant, and willing to face all odds.”