On July 25, 2026, the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and the Southern California National Parents Day Coalition brought together community leaders, faith leaders, and families for a powerful afternoon dedicated to honoring the foundation of society: our parents.
The 2026 National Parents Day Celebration served as a reminder of the vital role parents play in fostering strong homes, vibrant communities, and a peaceful world. Adding to the event’s reach, TAP Interviews captured the spirit of the day with 12 exclusive interviews powered by eZWay Connect and hosted by Matt J. Doyle.
Event Highlights & Program
The program balanced inspiration, musical performance, and practical wisdom for modern family life:
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Opening Welcome: Nasser Zomorod, UPF Director for Southern California, kicked off the event by setting a warm, community-focused tone.
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National Anthem: A moving rendition performed live by Ranella Ferrer.
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Keynote Address: Chief Gene Harris of the Pasadena Police Department delivered an impactful speech on the intersection of strong family values and community safety.
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Musical Selection: An uplifting performance by Rebecca Zinke.
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Parent/Child Relationships: Pastor Joshua Holmes of the Los Angeles Family Church shared meaningful insights on nurturing bonds between parents and children.
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Presentation of Certificates: Miss Rie Horii and Dr. Eric Zuley took the stage to officially present certificates to the honorees.
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Closing: Nasser Zomorod concluded the formal ceremony before bringing everyone together for a final group photo.
Celebrating the 2026 Parents of the Year
The core of the celebration was recognizing extraordinary parents whose dedication extends beyond their own homes into the broader community. Congratulations to the 2026 Parents of the Year:
| Honorees | Honorees |
| Jaime Arias | John and Irene Bou |
| Damon and Elizabeth Brown | Apache and Kathy Daklugie |
| Asghar Eftekhari and Forough Mogharebed | John and Johanna Han |
| Dr. Christina James and Seyto James | Steve and Lynn Kim |
| Patrick and Josephine Ling | Mark and Carolina Loweree |
| Allen Tse and Alice Lui | Tiari Moore and Miesha Matthews-Moore |
| Carlos Lopez and Patricia Murphy | John and Tina Park |
| Steve and Jung Yee Park | Daniel Patrick and Jenny Trinh |
| Lafayette and Nancy Ward | Jay and Elinor Yang |
| Kenneth and Dr. Telishia Berry | Macneal Bruny and Marlyne St. Justin |
| Mike Driggers and Gaby Aguilera | Jeremy and Cristianna Hoffmann |
| Chauncey and Jouslyn Kirdoll | Mehrdad and Gilda Moshir |
| Sterling and Salena Sanders | Ramesh and Monika Sharma |
Program Timestamps
For those catching up on the event recording, here is the full breakdown of the program:
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00:00 — Welcome & Opening Remarks | Nasser Zomorod
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02:15 — National Anthem | Ranella Ferrer
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04:30 — Keynote Address | Chief Gene Harris
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12:10 — Musical Selection | Rebecca Zinke
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16:45 — Remarks on Parent/Child Relationships | Pastor Joshua Holmes
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23:30 — Presentation of Certificates | Miss Rie Horii & Dr. Eric Zuley
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35:00 — 2026 Parents of the Year Recognition Ceremony
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48:15 — Closing Remarks & Group Picture | Nasser Zomorod
Gratitude & Getting Involved
This celebration was made possible by the generous sponsorship of the Southern California National Parents Day Coalition and Universal Peace Federation (UPF USA).
To learn more about ongoing peace-building initiatives and family values programs, connect with UPF USA:
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Website: upf.org
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Facebook: facebook.com/upfusa
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Click on this link for the full event eZWay images album!
For more info on Dr. Eric Zuley & Amb Matt J. Doyle visit their Wall of Fame Profiles.
Matt J. Doyle’s Wall of Fame Profile
Dr. Eric Zuley’s Wall of Fame Profile -
