Three Filipino students from BYU–Hawaii recently joined international scholars, religious leaders, and policymakers at the 7th International Forum on Law and Religion, held in Bonifacio Global City, Philippines. The event, centered on the theme “Charting the Future of the Women, Peace, and Security agenda,” was fully funded by the International Center for Law and Religion Studies (ICLRS) at J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University (BYU), and gathered experts from Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Pacific to examine how law, culture, and religion shape peace and gender equity in the region, allowing the students to both learn from and actively contribute to a global dialogue on religious freedom, human dignity, and the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda.
Accompanied by Jennifer Kajiyama Tinkham, adjunct assistant professor and chair of the Religious Freedom and Human Dignity (RFHD) Initiative, and Aaron Shumway, director of the Faculty of Religious Education, the students took on operational responsibilities throughout the week, including preparing summary briefs, assisting media teams, supporting delegate hospitality, and documenting key sessions.
Delegates included Senator Loren Legarda, Congresswoman Leila de Lima, former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, as well as international scholars and representatives from Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and the United States. The conference also announced the Southeast Asia Consortium on Law and Religion Studies (SEACRS), a new regional network the students helped support by assisting with documentation, photography, and facilitating introductions between delegates.
BYU–Hawaii’s Mission in Motion
Hyrra Tenestrante, a freshman double-majoring in intercultural peacebuilding and psychology, shared that the trip helped her see how BYU–Hawaii’s mission plays out beyond the classroom. But just as meaningful, Tenestrante said, was the work they accomplished behind the scenes. “For this conference, we helped the delegates during the welcome dinner, talked to other participants about BYU–Hawaii and the RFHD initiative, and supported the communications team with videos and photos,” she said. “We just tried to be helpful and make people feel welcomed, and I think that already reflects what BYUH is trying to do.”
She added that the experience pushed her “out of her shell” and helped her grow personally. “As a group, we showed that we can represent the school with kindness, respect, and openness,” she said. “This connects directly to BYU–Hawaii’s mission to become a disciple of Christ and create a community where people feel valued and supported.”
Learning From Women Leaders of Courage
Jiiva Nicole Orcuse, a junior double-majoring in political science and business management with an emphasis in finance, says the forum aligned with her sense of calling to uplift communities in the Philippines. “We all helped assist the international delegates during the event,” Orcus said. “We also worked on preparing conference brief reports that will be compiled into the final set of documents for the forum.”
These documents—shared with ICLRS partners, scholars, and policymakers—will inform future discussions on religious freedom and WPS initiatives, giving the students a lasting impact on the conference’s academic output.
“Hearing women and religious leaders speak about their communities’ struggles made me see how crucial religious freedom is for healing division and strengthening society,” she said.
Dialogue, Ecology, and the Power of Unity
Don Sean Thorley Lato, a sophomore majoring in intercultural peacebuilding and biology, said the forum deepened his sense of purpose while giving him opportunities to contribute directly to the communications and networking efforts of the event.
“In the conference, my individual contributions centered on communication, representation, and relationship-building” Lato said. “I assisted with Dr. Amina Rasul-Bernardo’s podcast, coordinated coverage with the communications director, and helped document the international delegates’ gathering and alum luncheon.”
These roles, he said, allowed him to amplify the voices of leaders from diverse nations and faith traditions. “Networking, assisting, and showing genuine hospitality allowed me to represent my heritage, my faith, and the university’s mission in ways that felt natural,” he added.
One conversation in particular left a lasting mark. “My discussion with [congressman] Dr. Dicky Sofjan about faith and ecology felt like a reminder that my studies and values aren’t separate journeys,” Lato said. “It taught me that when you bring your whole self to the table, the table expands.”
A Sacred Stop
Beyond the forum, one of the most meaningful moments of the trip was visiting the Alabang Philippines Temple Open House with several international delegates. Students accompanied leaders from different nations and faith traditions as they walked through the temple—a setting that became a powerful space for unity.
“Watching these inspirational figures walk through the temple with reverence reminded me how intentional and sincere they truly are about understanding one another,” Lato said. He recalled reflections from delegates such as Congressman Jude Acidre, who spoke of the temple as a house of prayer; Brother Pablito Baybado, who emphasized that unity extends beyond this life; and Attorney Salma Rasul, who shared that temples can remove the idea of ‘othering’ because all people reach toward the same God. “Standing with them in that sacred, peaceful space made me realize that the work of religious freedom and human dignity isn’t abstract—it’s real and relational,” he said.
Advocates and Bridge-Builders
Outside the sessions, students attended a welcome dinner with delegates from Southeast Asia and the Pacific, met members of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society Philippines Chapter, and presented kukui nut leis to select speakers as a gesture of appreciation. These interactions, students said, helped them see how RFHD’s mission connects to real-world peacebuilding.
Dr. Shumway said the students’ contributions reflected BYU–Hawaii’s institutional purpose.
“Our student fellows were amazing,” he said. “On top of their operational help, they networked like pros. Delegates were impressed that sharp young people from their homeland were so deeply engaged in these issues.”
He added that RFHD’s work mirrors the priorities of Church leaders in the region. “Religious freedom and interfaith cooperation are priorities for the Church, especially in Oceania and the Asian Rim,” Shumway said. “Participation in conferences like this prepares our students to be advocates and bridge-builders who will make an impact when they return home.”
Collectively, the experience showed how deeply BYU–Hawaii students can contribute when placed in meaningful global settings. By engaging directly with policymakers, legal professionals, scholars, and faith leaders, the student fellows saw how their classroom learning connects to real-world issues of dignity, freedom, and peace. Their work in Manila strengthened existing partnerships, built new connections, and reinforced the university’s vision of preparing students who lead with faith, cultural humility, and a commitment to uplifting communities across the Philippines, Oceania, and the broader Asian region.