By Dr. Marivir Montebon

The second leg of the WFWPI Climate Action program was successfully launched in a summer garden party on July 25, 2026 at the sprawling backyard of WFWPI UN representatives and Global Women Peace Ambassadors Maria De Lourdes and Priscilla M. Garces. Guests were elated and said the event was unique while simply being heartwarming.

The NJ Farmacy & Peace Garden in the quiet neighborhood in Union Township was a collaboration of the global organization Women's Federation for World Peace International, UN Relations Office and the nonprofits Always Forward and the Ecuadorian Foundation for Social Services. The project is aligned with SDG 3 (Good health and wellbeing), 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), 13 (Climate Action), and 17 (Partnerships).

All smiles at the launch of the NJ Farmacy & Peace Garden with (l-r) Priscilla Garces, WFWPI UN representative and founder of Always Forward, Irmgard Baynes, Dr. Vanette Colmenares, and Merly Barlaan, WFWPI VP and UN Relations Offices director.

More than 40 participants showed up, mostly in floral summer dresses and wide brim hats, bringing potted herbs and roses to be included in the garden. There was mood music in the garden by pianist Hyowon Barlaan.

Assemblymember Ed Rodriguez of Legislative District 20 and Environment Commissioner for Franklin Township Maria Del Carmen Santiago shared inspirational speeches rife with support and action. Now, the Garden State has an additional biodiversity garden in Union Township, created by a diverse community of friends and family.

**Dr. Maria del Carmen Santiago, Franklin Township Commissioner for the Environment, and Dr. Maria Garces, WFWPI UN representative and president of FESS.**

The international and intergenerational event took inspiration from the theme on healing the Earth and healing ourselves to achieve happiness and higher consciousness.

WFWPI VP and UN Relations Offices director Merly Barrete Barlaan encouraged local legislators to support community initiatives to create impact and sustainability in the community. The NJ launch was the second leg of the organization's Environmental Action program, following the Permaculture Education program in the Philippines.

**Guests, mostly in floral dresses and wide brim hats, found the launch unique and heartwarming.**

Farmacy is a new term to mean farmed herbs that heal naturally, a brainchild of Barlaan. “This is not rocket science. Healing starts at home and when we go back to nature for food and medicine,” she said.

WFWPI recognized three new Ambassadors for Peace during the event, Dr. Vanette Colmenares who's working on her biodiverse, regenerative farms in Cebu, Carmen Skipworth, AI and digital technology educator, and Yamcy Deloso Fleming, WFWPI intern who helped organize and coordinate the 1st Permaculture Education Summit in the Philippines.

**Merly Barlaan with Assembly member Ed Rodriguez, Dr. Maria Garces, Dr. Dely Go, and Mr. Harry Go.**

RN Menchu R. De Luna Sanchez, a WFWPI Peace Ambassador, remarked that the event was different and remarkable. Dr. Dely Go, a nurse educator-businesswoman, said "we enjoyed the event so much." Go was acknowledged at the event for her support to WFWPI's Environmental Action program in the Philippines, the pioneering project on Permaculture Education and Immersion Tour.

The NJ garden party featured the works of art of artist Lorena Ramos which highlighted herbs and flowers. Lorena's mom, Selina Soto, will tend to the WFWPI-FESS-Always Forward community garden, a feat which she anticipates being able to share her traditional wisdom on healing and culinary herbs.

Herbs and Roses for Healing and Community Bonding at the NJ Farmacy & Peace Garden