Program Overview

Philippine Studies is an academic discipline encompassing the study of Filipino society and culture and its constituent ethnolinguistic groups. The Tri-College Ph.D. Philippine Studies Program is jointly offered by the Asian Center (AC), the College of Arts and Letters (CAL), and the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) of the University of the philippines Diliman.

The program seeks to problematize the distinct identity of Filipinos, produce specialists capable of identifying and studying Philippine programs using multi- and interdisciplinary approaches and methodologies, expose students to different disciplinal perspectives, and impart a holistic approach to Philippine problems.

Philippine Studies Council

The Tri-College program is headed by the Tri-College Council, which consists of the deans of the Asian Center, College of Arts and Letters, and College of Social Sciences and Philosophy; coordinators from each college; and the head of the Secretariat.

Deans

Bernadette Abrera, PhD, Dean, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (current chair)
Henelito A. Sevilla, Jr. PhD, Dean, Asian Center
Jimmuel C. Naval, PhD, Dean, College of Arts and Letters

Coordinators

Maria Dulce F. Natividad, PhD (Asian Center)
Nancy Kimuell Gabriel, PhD (College of Arts and Letters)
Lou Angeli Ocampo, PhD (College of Social Sciences and Philosophy)

Head of the Secretariat

Prof. Rolando Talampas

Secretariat

Prof. Rolando Talampas, Head
Julie Ann dela Paz, Staff

History of the Program

The Tri-College Ph.D. Philippine Studies Program traces its roots to two Diliman-based Ph.D. programs, instituted by the Asian Center and the then College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). In 1983, CAS split into three colleges. Two of the colleges that emerged, namely the College of Arts and Letters and the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, continued to offer the degree separately.

In 1983, the UP Board of Regents initiated steps to integrate the three programs. A single curriculum with the same core courses for all three colleges was developed and instituted in 1993, but administered by each college separately, although the colleges coordinated in selected aspects of program administration. In 2000, a new initiative was launched by then Chancellor Emerlinda Roman to effect the full integration of the program under a single administrative structure. In 2004, the Tri-College Ph.D. Philippine Studies Program was established.

The Asian Center serves as the Secretariat of the Program.

Requirements: Tri-College PhD in Philippine Studies Program

• MA or MS degree from a recognized institution of learning

• Grade weighted average of 1.75 or better

• Letter of application for admission addressed to the Chair, Philippine Studies Council, UP Diliman. At present, the Chair is Joefe B. Santarita, PhD.

• Original AND Photocopy of transcript of records (TOR) of undergraduate and graduate studies (Transcript must comply with the following guidelines).

• Three (3) letters of recommendation from former professors or experts from the applicant's discipline(s) /areas(s) of study**

• Duly accomplished Personal Data Form**

• A two-page description of the proposed dissertation with a multi-disciplinal orientation to be presented to the Admissions Committee

• Application fee of PhP 100 for Filipino Students and US$ 25 for foreign applicants (See "Application Fee: Payments" tab).

• Two (2) passport-sized photos

• Original and photocopy of NSO Birth Certificate

• Original and photocopy of NSO Marriage Certificate (for married female applicants)*

• GWA Computation Form (see formula in 'Application Process' tab)

• Online application form (see 'Application Process' tab)

International applicants should contact the Tri-College Secretariat for additional requirements.

* Both original and photocopy will be submitted later to the Office of the Head Secretariat, Tri-College Ph.D. Philippine Studies Program, Room 203, Hall of Wisdom, Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman.  See "Application Process" tab for more details.

Application Forms: PhD Program

• Personal Data Form: PDF | Word
• Recommendation Form (PhD): Word
• Dissertation Proposal Form (PhD only): Word
• GWA Computation Form 
• Billing Statement for Payment of Application Fee*: PDF | Excel
• Billing Statement for Payment of Application Fee (International Applicants)*: PDF | Excel

*For this form, please fill out the following fields: Payor and Date. If there are problems with the forms, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Application Deadlines: PhD Program

•For First Semester, Academic Year 2021–2022 (August/September 2021 intake: 15 June 2021 (Online Application Only)

• For Second Semester, Academic Year 2020–2021 (January 2021 Intake): 7 November 2020 (online application only; see application process tab)

• For other semesters, please sign up below and choose the application deadlines for the semester (s) you wish to apply.

EMAIL ME THE DEADLINES WHEN THEY'RE ANNOUNCED

How to Apply: PhD Program (For August/Sept 2021 Intake)

In light of the GCQ and its impact on work process, here is the modified application process for the August/September 2021 intake. 

1. Fill out this online application form.
   
   
2. Send soft copy of requirements to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as one zip file on or before the deadline. File name of the zip file must be formatted thus: Navarro, Mara V.zip. See file naming guide below.
   
   
3. Online interviews (via Zoom) of shortlisted candidates will be conducted. Shorlisted candidates will be notified of the schedule. Kindly make sure you have a registered/authenticated (i.e., you used a verified email address to sign up) Zoom account by then. Also, please make sure you have filled out the online application form above so that you can be notified of the/your schedule (s).
   
   
4. All applicants will be notified of the results. Accepted applicants await further instructions/updates.

File Naming Guide

For faster processing, except for the Passport photo (jpg or png) and GWA Computation Form, all files must be sent as PDF (and in one zip file) and must be named thus:

• 01_Letter of Application - Last Name, Given Name

• 02_Transcript of Records Undergrad - Last Name, Given Name
• 03_Transcript of Records Masters - Last Name, Given Name
• 04_CV - Last Name, Given Name
• 05_Personal Data Form - Last Name, Given Name
• 06_Passport Photo - Last Name, Given Name
• 07_Birth  Certificate - Last Name, Given Name
• 08_Dissertation Proposal - Last Name, Given Name
• 09_Marriage Certificate - Last Name, Given Name (For Married Female Applicants only)
• 10_GWA Computation Form Undergrad and Masters - Last Name, Given Name (One sheet each for undergrad and masters; one sheet per degree, but only 1 Excel file will be submitted; please refer to "Application Forms" tab to download the GWA Computation Form.

GWA Computation

To get GWA, multiply each grade in your course by the number of units for that course. Add all the results of each of these, then divide the sum by the total number of units (excluding PE and NSTP). View sample computation.

All items except 07 and 09 must be submitted online or or before the deadline. But if items 07 and 09 are available, please include them in the online submission.

Recommendation Forms

Kindly ask the person recommending you to fill out the form and email it directly to the Tri-College Secretariat. File name should be: Recommendation_LastName_GivenName. (Name of student). But please secure hard copies of the recommendation forms—still sealed—and send it to the Tri-College Secretariat on or before the deadline. You may coordinate with the TCS  regarding this matter.

Submission Guidelines

All items above—except 07 and 09—must be submitted online by the deadline. But if you already have items 07 and 09, please include them in your online submission by the deadline. It is strongly recommended, however, that you already have these documents by the time you apply.

Applicants who are yet to submit these three items may still be shortlisted and interviewed online. However, applicants endorsed for admission to the Office of the University Registrar must submit later on to the Admissions and Registration Section (ARS) of the OUR original hard copies of the following: 

• • • PSA Birth Certificate (BC)
    • PSA Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
    • Certificate of Transfer Credentials (for applicants from non-UP Diliman universities)
    • Transcript of Records (marked with "Copy for UP Diliman)

The deadline for the submission of these original hard-copy documents to the OUR will be given to you by the Office of the College Secretary. These requirements are part of longer list of documents necessary to formalize one's admissions into the university (See University Admissions Slip tab). Non-compliance may affect your ability to register for classes. Please coordinate with the Office of the College Secretary regarding this matter. Any updates regarding deadlines and other procedures will be emailed to you.

—Tab last updated 3 September 2021

Notes/Reminders

If you already have them, do not open and scan the recommendation forms. They will be submitted—still sealed—later on. 

Applicants with incomplete/pending requirements (as listed in the Requirements* tab, including the sealed recommendations) can still be shortlisted and interviewed online, but applicants endorsed for admission must submit all requirements (listed in Requirements* tab) at a date to be announced later by the Tri-College Secretariat.

Any updates regarding deadlines and other procedures will be emailed to you, so please make sure you fill out the online application form.

*These include originals, photocopies and number of copies, as applicable. For instance, you would still need to submit two hardcopies of the passport-sized photos.

Payment

1. Please fill out the Application Fee Billing Statement (See "Application Forms" tab)

2. Deposit the amount to the UPD Revolving Fund (Account No. 3072-1006-96) through any of the following payment methods.

a. Payment using Landbank Linkbiz: 
 https://bit.ly/StepsforPaymentthruLinkbiz


b. Online Payment Transaction: https://bit.ly/OnlineBankTransfer

c. Direct Bank Payment: https://bit.ly/DirectBankPayment

3. Send your proof of payment to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and cc UP Cash Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.*

NOTE 1: There will be no payment of fees at the UP Cash Office based on OUR Memorandum No. MVPLO 2020-06.

NOTE 2: For online payments, Landbank only accepts payments through the PESONET system. Payment made through Instapay bank transfers will not be registered/validated.

*NOTE 3: Scanned copy of the Validated Bank Deposit Slip or LinkBiz Confirmation Slip together with the Bill/SOA must be emailed to the Tri-College Secretariat Office and must be copy funished to the UPD Cash Office.

Processing Your Admissions: Quarantine Set-Up

The College Admission Slip or notice of your acceptance from the Tri-College Secretariat (TCS) does not formally indicate your admission to the university. For this, you have to be issued a University Admission Slip (UAS)  by the Office of the University Registrar to formalize your admission to the program, and more importantly, to the University of the Philippines (as a graduate student).

1. The TCS will notify you of your acceptance to the PhD and will email you a list of requirements and/or other university-issued forms (e.g. Student Directory, Health Declaration Form, and Mental Health Screening Form), as well as relevant links and other instructions. These include already several documents/forms submitted as part of the application. 

2. Email the documents on the deadline set by the TCS.

3. The TCS will then evaluate your submitted documents and upon verification that your submission is in order, you will be notified by the college of your admission/readmission.

4. The TCS then sends a soft/scanned copy of your college admission slip and your other requirements to Office of University Registrar (OUR), Admissions and Registration Division (ARD).

5. OUR ARD will send a scanned copy of your University Admission Slip (UAS) and a copy of your temporary CRS account (for new students) back to the TCS.

   • You will use this temporary account (username and password) to pre-enlist (See "Registration" tab in Student Corner) in UP Diliman's Computerized Registration System (CRS), so they can log in, start updating their student profile, and pre-enlist in the core courses of their program. During the actual registration period, you go through all the procedures—payment, etc.—for the courses you enrolled in.  For details regarding pre-enlistment and registration, and other student matters, from course descriptions to thesis requirements, please visit the Student Corner.

• Your college will notify you about the status of your admission/readmission. Please make sure that you have indicated your active email address correctly in your Student Directory.

  NOTE: ACCEPTANCE TO A PROGRAM IS PROVISIONAL SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION AND SUBMISSION OF ORIGINAL COPIES OF THE REQUIREMENTS (including your Official Transcript of Records with remarks “Copy for UP Diliman” in a sealed envelope) For inquiries, you may email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Things to Do for Newly Admitted Students

1. Browse/review the UP Diliman Freshie Primer. This document explains the administrative structure of UP Diliman—heads, offices, list of colleges, vice chancellors, contact information—and other basic facts about the campus. Many things form background knowledge through you can understand/follow many of UP Diliman's memos/policies. You may also view the organization chart of UP Diliman.
   
   
2. Read UP Diliman Abbreviations for specific terms, and review the UP Glossary that defines terms used in UP Diliman memos and policies.
   
   
3. Read the Student Corner to know the rules and procedures for registration via CRS, course requirements, obtaining your DILNET, UP Mail account, etc. This will help ensure your pre-enlistment and enlistment experience, and other transactions, will go as smoothly as possible.
   
   
4. If you're graduating this semester (as of July 2021) from your BA/BS (MA or MS for incoming PhD students) and you've been accepted to the program, please read this advisory from the UP Diliman Computer Center. The situation here—regarding potential closure of your UP Mail account—may apply to your case.

Overview of Course Requirements

Students are required to complete the following number of units:

• • • Core Courses: 9 units (3 courses)
    • Major Area: 12 units (4 courses)
    • Cognates: 9 units (3 courses)
    • Electives: 6 units (2 courses)
    • Dissertation: 12 units (4 courses)

Core Courses

All PhD students regardless of topic/field/dissertation must take the following courses:

• Philippine Studies (PS) 301
• Philippine Studies (PS) 302
• Philippine Studies (PS) 399

Majors, Cognates and Electives

What these are will depend on, among others, your dissertation topic. In some cases, you may have to take some MA-level courses. You can take them either at the Asian Center, the College of Arts and Letters, and/or the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy. Download the PDF listing Philippine Studies courses offered at the Asian Center and detailing the programs of study

.

Academic Requirements: Beyond Coursework

Apart from coursework, the PhD program mandates the following

• Minimum General Weighted Average. The student must obtain  a general weighted average of 1.75 in the three core courses to be able to take the qualifying examinations. To remain in good standing, the student should maintain a commulative weighted average grade (CWAG) of 1.75 or better at the end of each academic year until completion of the Program of Study
  
  
• Language Examination. When necessary for the research proposal and as determine by the students program committee, the student will take a proficiency examination in a pertinent foreign and / or Philippine language  to be administered by an appropriate language department.
  
  
• Qualifying Examination. The student should pass a qualifying examination after completion of the core courses. Core courses should be taken within the first three semesters following the admission.
  
  
• Candidacy Examination. The candidacy examination is a sit down examination to be taken in two to three sessions based on the students' discipline or area(s) of study jointly prepared by a panel of examiners.
  
  
• Dissertation Proposal Defense. Upon advancement to candidacy, the student shall defend his/her disseratation proposal before the dissertation adviser and two readers of the committee.
  
  
• Oral Defense of Dissertation. The student shall defend his/her dissertation before a committee composed of the adviser, two reader-critics, and two members, at least one of whom was a member of the dissertation proposal committee.

Courses @ UP Asian Center

You can view the list of Asian Studies and Philippine Studies courses offered at the UP Asian Center.

Courses @ College of Arts and Letters

View the graduate-level courses (MA and PhD) offered by the following departments within CAL.

• Department of English and Comparative Literature (MA)
• Department of English and Comparative Literature (PhD)
• Department of European Languages (PhD)

Contact the Department of Art Studies, Department of Filipino and Filipino Literature, and the Department of Speech Communication and Theater Arts to inquire about their course offerings.

Courses @ College of Social Sciences and Philosophy

 View the graduate-level courses (MA and PhD) offered by the following departments within CSSP.

• Department of Anthropology
• Department of Geography
• Department of History
• Department of Linguistics
• Department of Philosophy
• Department of Political Science
• Department of Psychology
• Department of Sociology

Semestral fees for the Tri-College PhD Philippine Studies Program

• Tuition fees for Asian Center-offered courses: PhP 500.00 per unit (PhP 1,500 for a three-unit course)
• Tution fees for non-Asian Center courses (CAL or CSSP): PhP 500 (PhP 1,500 for a three-unit course)
• Library Fee: PhP 1,200
• Athletics: 75
• Registration fee: 40
• Medical: 50
• Cultural: 50
• Student Fund: 50
  

To view scholarships for PhD research and dissertation writing, view the Tuition and Financing page.

Student Guide

To know enrollment procedures, access student forms, review university and program policies, please visit the Student Guide. Kindly note that this is for students that have already been admitted to the Tri-College PhD Philippine Studies Program.

Dissertations (2012–Present)

DISSERTATIONS (2020)

Katwiran ng Kasaysayan: Ang Alegoryang Pangkasaysayan at ang Diskurso ng Kasaysayan, Nasyunalismo, at Bayan sa mga Nobelang Pangkasaysayan sa Wikang Tagalog, 1905–1927 (PhD)

CERDA, Christoffer Mitch 

Pagkalalaki at Maka-Diyos: A Dialogical look at Masculinity and Religiosity Among Filipino Males  (PhD)

FAST, Michael John

Subli (Ang Pamana): Philippine Culture and Values in the Governance of Filipino-Owned Family Corporations in the Philippines (PhD)

GALURA, Maria-Teresa 

Challenges and Prospects in Promoting Cultural Diplomacy Between Indonesia and the Philippines: A Philippine Perspective (PhD)

LIWANAG, Marichu

Kadagaan sa Sarita at Pakasaritaan: Ang Kilusang Masa ng San Antonio at Sta. Isabel, Ilagan, Isabela (PhD)

MANZANO, Joanne 

Diskarte: Understanding Design Culture through the Chairs of the Filipino Design Exemplars (PhD)

MENDOZA, Guillerma

Naratibo ng Lubi sa Ating Gunita: Ang Industriya ng Niyog sa Panitikan at Kasaysayang Pilipino, 1940–2018 (PhD)

PEÑA, Romeo

Piso, The Image of Filipino Identity: The Concealed Value of Philippine New Generation Currency (PhD)

REYES, Minard

 Ang Diviner sa Kaniyang Divinasyon sa Syudad: Isang Naratibo ng Krisis (PhD)

SALANGA-TORRALBA, Elyrah

THESES and DISSERTATIONS (2019)

The Mandukit of Sta. Ursula, Betis Pampanga: Carving Sacred Images, Negotiating Heritage (PhD)

BOQUIREN, Laya

The Fourth Horseman: Infectious Diseases and the Philippine American War (PhD)

LOZADA, Dave III

Pagtatahip-dunong: Pagsusuri ng mga Awit ng mga Kilusang Bayan sa Kalakhang Maynila mula 1986 hanggang 2016 na Mabisang Magagamit sa Pagtuturo ng Kamalayang Bayan (PhD)

MALABANAN, Joel

Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa sa Mindanao (PRMM): The Pursuit of an Alternative Revolutionary Strategy (PhD)

VILLASANTA, Felix

THESES and DISSERTATIONS (2018)

Facility-Based Delivery: Implikasyon sa Paghulma sa Pang-Inang Kalusugan (PhD)

ENCINARES-ENAJE, Ivy

Darna and the Intermediality of the Filipino Superhero Genre (PhD)

BRILLON, Cherish

The Bagani Spirit through the Moral Imagination of Philippine Army Officers: Strengthening Military Leadership based on the Agyu Epic (PhD)

EBRADA, Sandra

Ganting-Loob at Pamuling-Pamudod: Dalumat at Realidad sa Lipunang Tagalog ng Caciquismong Espanyol, 1571–1896 (PhD)

ENRIQUEZ, Edelyndon

The Concept of 'Ilmu' Pagkausug in the Jawi Materials from Sulu (PhD)

HAIRULLA, Munap

De(familial)izing the Family: Anak ng OFWs' Emergent Narratives on Parent-Child Communication, Religious Socialization, and Self-Perceived Identities (PhD)

PINZON, Mary Jannette 

Sapatero in Marikina City: Enacting Economies in the Philippines' Footwear Capital (PhD)

RAPISORA-LAGOS, Concepcion

Malasakit in a Public Utility Company: Expression of Kapwa, Buhay, Ginhawa, Dangal, and Tulong in the Workplace (PhD)

REYES, Jesusa

THESES and DISSERTATIONS (2017)

None

THESES and DISSERTATIONS (2016)

None

THESES and DISSERTATIONS (2015)

Retokadong Talambuhay, Manipuladong Salaysay: Ang Pananalambuhay kina Manuel M. Quezon at Ferdinand E. Marcos (PhD).

JAVAR, RODERICK

Filipino Philosophy in the Martial Traditions of the Philippines: The Dungan as Philosophic Principle (PhD)

MENDOZA, Perseville

Of Forgetting and Remembering: Social Memory, Commemoration, and the Jewish Refugees in the Philippines during the Second World War (PhD)

TIROL, Jose Maria

Tiangge Online: The Proliferation of Philippine Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Internet (PhD)

TRIUMFO, Cristina

Pagtatanghal ng Bayan: Ang Pulitika sa Kultura ng mga Ritwal na Pananampalatayang Katoliko sa Angono, Rizal (PhD)

ZARATE, Maria Jovita

THESES and DISSERTATIONS (2014)

Indian Textiles in the Philippines: Contexts of Encounter and Traces of Practice (PhD)

CANTA, Marilyn

THESES and DISSERTATIONS (2013)

Kalinangang Pinanday sa Ginto: a Cultural History of Gold in Philippine Society (PhD)

GATBONTON, Esperanza

Baybayin: Makabayang Hibik sa Tinig ng Sinaunang Titik 1882–2012 (PhD)

LAPIZ, Eduardo

The Influence of the 1986 People Power Revolution on the Basic Education Curriculum: A Case Study of Two Private Secondary Schools in Metro Manila (PhD)

PANGANIBAN, Evangeline

Identity and Representation: The Life and Work of Five Philippine Chinese Neo-Realist Visual Artists, 1954–1975 (PhD)

YOUNG, Stewart

THESES and DISSERTATIONS (2012)

Koro at Lipunang Pilipino: An Inquiry into Social Capital and Human Development in Philippine Choirs (PhD)

DE LEON, Abigail

Pook at Pagsasakapangyarihan: Ang Kababaihan ng Tundo, 1946–2008 (PhD)

KIMUELL-GABRIEL, Nancy

Mutya: Pamamaybay sa Larangan ng Isang Diwa (PhD)

ODAL-DEVORA, Grace

Nalandangan: Kulturang Kapayapaan ng Inay Malinandang ng Talaandig Tungo sa Paglikhang Gabay sa Edukasyong Pangkapayapaan (PhD)

VILLALUZ, Geraldine, RSCJ