By a minister of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines

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One day the homeless people who were forcefully driven to leave and eventually lost their lands in exchange for foreign companies will be given land that they can call their own. And that they no longer live and sleep under the trees and on the streets but will have a house where they can lay their heads.

For the many beggars whose only means of survival is the little kindness from passersby, we are looking forward to a day when they could eat nutritious meals three times a day.

For the children who are force to work just to help augment the family'needs, we are dreaming that one day we will see them playing around with joy in their eyes and not a tears of sadness for the heavy work.

For the children who lost their fathers and mothers who lost their husbands in their desire to help working for the establishment of peace and justice, we are hoping that one day justice will be given not only for the dead but also for the living who are in great pain.

We hope that one day, all children and young people in the Philippines will have the chance to have access to education.

For our government officials who promised to help advance the economic and political stability of the nation we hope that one day, they will not only utter a word that disguise their own agenda, but become a compassionate catalyst for a better world.

For our soldiers, we hope that one day, they will use their hearts and compassion to deal with people and not to resort to their guns to inflict pain to the innocent victims.

For our judges and lawyers we hope that one day they will realize their call by giving fair trial to all, to rescue the victims and not to acquit or take side with the perpetrators so that justice will prevail.

These are our hopes and these are our dreams.