VIA GRAPHIC PLUS | San Diego, CA (May 22, 2026) — The UNESCO Center for Peace and the World Center for Peace Club Associations are thrilled to present the Villa Vie Odyssey residency cruise ship as the world’s first Global Flagship of Peace at an historic inauguration ceremony in Manila, Philippines, June 8, 2026 with ties to San Diego, CA.
The event marks the beginning of an international maritime initiative dedicated to peacebuilding, cultural exchange, education, environmental awareness, and global cooperation.
Dr. Joanne Tawfilis, Oceanside resident and Co-Founder of the Art Miles Mural Project along with Barbara Figiel, Villa Vie Odyssey member, are the Co-Founders of the Global Flagship of Peace. They will join theVilla Vie Odyssey to witness the official dedication of the vessel as the Global Flagship of Peace, a global messenger of peace traveling port-to-port around the world.
“Peace and cooperation are needed now more than ever,” said Filipino-American Dr. Joanne Tawfilis. “The Odyssey represents something deeply meaningful — a living platform where people from around the world can come together not only to travel, but to help inspire understanding, compassion, and peace wherever the ship sails.”
The opening ceremony June 8th aboard the Villa VieOdyssey’s bow will be officiated by Guy Djoken, President and CEO of the U.S. Federation of UNESCO Clubs & Association. The ship captains of the Global Flagship of Peace will symbolically ring the ship’s bell at 10am Manila, Philippines and simultaneously, global peace bells ashore and abroad will ring a unified call for international harmony.
This includes San Diego’s Yokohama Friendship Bell on Shelter Island and MIssion San Luis Rey in Oceanside, on June 7th at 7pm PST. Portside, Lorna De La Cruz, charter member of San Diego’s acclaimed “Voices of Our City” will introduce the Young Voices of the Philippines” performing the national anthem and an uplifting song.
Festivities that week include Keynote Speaker Dr. Maria Victoria “Marivic” T. Lualhati, honored as one of the Most Influential Filipinas in the World by the Filipina Women’s Network. Celebrations continue in Manila at the historic San Agustin Church and at the famed Intramuros centuries-old walled city, one of the Philippines’ most treasured cultural heritage sites. Programs highlight initiatives that align directly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
In recognition of World Oceans Day, also June 8th, renowned Filipino Muralist, Rolando DeLeon, will be honored for his extraordinary 4.5-mile mural installation, Fishes of the Ocean, soon to take permanent residence at the Jose Rizal Memorial State University. A segment of the Fishes of the Ocean was featured at the 2015 Balboa Park Centennial – Philippine American Celebration. DeLeon and the Global Flagship of Peace will collaborate with the Tahanan NG Pagmamahal Children’s Home creating inspirational murals inspired by themes of peace and hope.
Residents aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey have embraced the Global Flagship of Peace initiative with the shared belief: “We are not just traveling the world; we are helping shape and build peace along the way”.
