Please note revised requirements and application process in light of quarantine conditions.
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Program Overview ◊ About
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
Ruth R. Lusterio-Rico, Ph.D., Dean, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy
Henelito A. Sevilla, Jr. Ph.D., Dean, Asian Center
Jimmuel C. Naval, Ph.D., Dean, College of Arts and Letters (Current Chair)
Coordinators
Noel Christian Moratilla, PhD (Asian Center)
Nancy Kimuell Gabriel, PhD (College of Arts and Letters)
Lou Angeli Ocampo, PhD (College of Social Sciences and Philosophy)
Secretariat
Maria Dulce F. Natividad, PhD (Head)
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.
-
Coursework ◊ Program Requirements
Overview
Students are required to complete the following to be awarded the PhD:
-
-
- Core Courses: 9 units (3 courses)
- Major Area: 12 units (4 courses)
- Cognates: 9 units (3 courses)
- Electives: 6 units (2 courses)
- Qualifying Exam
- Comprehensive Exam
- Dissertation: 12 units (equivalent to four courses)
- Language proficiency if applicable (see below)
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, and will be determined once you are accepted in the program in consultation with your program adviser. Generally speaking, these courses can be taken in any unit across the university. View the course catalogs of each college. MA-level courses of the UP Asian Center can be found here (Asian Studies or Philippine Studies).
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.
-
Application Forms ◊ Requirements
LIST OF REQUIREMENTS
Applicants are REQUIRED to submit ONLY SOFT COPIES to apply for the TriCollege Ph.D. Program.
-
Online Application Form for the TriCollege Ph.D. Philippine Studies Program (You can fill out this form while completing your requirements)
-
Application Letter addressed to: Prof. Noel Christian A. Moratilla, Ph.D. (Chair, UP Tri-College PhD Philippine Studies Program)
-
-
A two-page description of the proposed dissertation with a multi-disciplinary orientation to be presented to the Admissions Committee
-
Student Directory with a 2x2 photo
-
Transcript of Records (TOR)
-
GWA of 1.75 or better in an MA or MS degree at a recognized institution.
-
If the TOR is not readily available, a True Copy of Grades (TCG) is temporarily accepted. TOR may be submitted once available.
-
Birth Certificate (PSA Copy)
-
-
One (1) piece of 2x2-sized photo
-
Marriage Certificate – For married applicants only
The other requirements below must be submitted directly to the TriCollege Program Secretariat by the Recommender
-
- Duly Accomplished Recommendation Forms – Minimum of THREE (3)
FILE-NAMING AND SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Applicants are REQUIRED to submit ONLY SOFT COPIES to apply for the TriCollege Ph.D. Program.
STEP 1: View the List of Requirements (see the list above).
STEP 2: Compile and change the File Name of all Requirements based on the format below. The requirement number is based on the list above.
[Requirement No.]_SURNAME_Document
Example:
02_SURNAME_Application Letter
03_SURNAME_Dissertation Plan
04_SURNAME_Student Directory with Photo
05_SURNAME_TOR
06_SURNAME_Birth Certificate
07_SURNAME_GWA Computation
08_SURNAME_2x2 Photo
09_SURNAME_Marriage Certificate
STEP 3: Submit all requirements through the Online Application Form.
STEP 4: Wait for the TriCollege Program Secretariat to send you the Billing Statement
STEP 5: Pay for the Application Fee via Cash (paid at the UP Diliman Cash Office) or GCash App (How to pay via GCash).
STEP 6: Email the Proof of Payment to the TriCollege Program Secretariat: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
STEP 7: Once TriCollege Secretariat acknowledges your payment, CONGRATS! YOU HAVE APPLIED!
-
Application Process ◊ Deadlines
How to Apply
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.
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.
If you already have them, do not open and scan the recommendation forms. They will be submitted—still sealed—later on.
Application Deadlines
• For Secon Semester, Academic Year 2024–2025 (January/February 2024 intake): 30 November 2024.
• For other semesters, please sign up below and choose the application deadlines for the semester (s) you wish to apply.
-
Application Fee: Payments
1. Please fill out the Application Fee Billing Statement (see below)
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 (deposit/payment slip) and billing statement 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.*
Billing Statement
Before paying, please fill out the Application Fee Billing Statement (See "Forms" tab) and send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. There will be no payment of fees at the UP Cash Office based on OUR Memorandum No. MVPLO 2020-06.
- Billing Statement for Payment of Application Fee*: PDF | Excel
- Billing Statement for Payment of Application Fee (International Applicants)*: PDF | Excel
Payment Guide
GCash
Before paying through GCash, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further instructions.
View process: https://bit.ly/gcashupd
LinkBiz
View Steps or click https://bit.ly/StepsforPaymentthruLinkbiz
-
-
- Account number pertains the account number of the payor.
- Account code is the account number of the UPD Revolving Fund, which can be seen when you generate the payment slip via CRS (see "registration tab). This is for registration-related transactions via CRS (tuition, dropping, residence, LOA, etc),
Other non-enrollment/non-CRS transactions (see non-CRS tab) may require a different account code, which will depend on the SOA/Billing Statement that will be issued to you by the office you're contacting. Please coordinate with them as necessary.
UPD Cash Office
The UP Diliman Cash Office is now accommodating face-to-face transactions for tuition and registration payments (Form 5/ChangeMat/AddMat/Dropping/LOA).
The location is at the PNB Building.
For other questions and concerns, you may contact the UPD Cash Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and at 8981-8500 local # 2760.
-
Tuition ◊ Financing
- 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.
-
Dissertations
Visit the Thesis and Dissertation page to see the list of dissertations. The General Rules on Graduate Programs (pp. 11–14) discusses the following:
Standards for Dissertation
Change of Adviser/Reader
Dissertation Committee
Number of Dissertation Advisees
Dissertation Adviser and Co-Adviser
Dissertation Proposal
Dissertation Reader
Defense: Administration, Panel, and Rating
Forms:
To learn more about the dissertation writing, including forms and applicable policies, please visit the Thesis and Dissertation tab of the Student Corner.
-
Contact ◊ Vicinity Map
- Office: Room 203, Hall of Wisdom
- Telefax: 63.2.8981.8500 local 3578
- Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Address: Room 203, Hall of Wisdom, GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center, University of the Philippines Diliman
Vicinity Map
Please note that vehicles entering the GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center grounds can only do so via the gate on Magsaysay Avenue that is near a UP guardhouse and a few meters away from Katipunan Avenue. A small gate for pedestrians on Guerrero St., which lies across the College of Law parking lot and a few meters away from a waiting shed, where the Ikot jeepney, and jeepneys from Philcoa and SM North pass by. View an entire map of the UP Diliman campus.
-
Program Overview ◊ About
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
Ruth R. Lusterio-Rico, Ph.D., Dean, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy
Henelito A. Sevilla, Jr. Ph.D., Dean, Asian Center
Jimmuel C. Naval, Ph.D., Dean, College of Arts and Letters (Current Chair)Coordinators
Noel Christian Moratilla, PhD (Asian Center)
Nancy Kimuell Gabriel, PhD (College of Arts and Letters)
Lou Angeli Ocampo, PhD (College of Social Sciences and Philosophy)Secretariat
Maria Dulce F. Natividad, PhD (Head)
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.
-
Coursework ◊ Program Requirements
Overview
Students are required to complete the following to be awarded the PhD:
-
-
- Core Courses: 9 units (3 courses)
- Major Area: 12 units (4 courses)
- Cognates: 9 units (3 courses)
- Electives: 6 units (2 courses)
- Qualifying Exam
- Comprehensive Exam
- Dissertation: 12 units (equivalent to four courses)
- Language proficiency if applicable (see below)
-
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, and will be determined once you are accepted in the program in consultation with your program adviser. Generally speaking, these courses can be taken in any unit across the university. View the course catalogs of each college. MA-level courses of the UP Asian Center can be found here (Asian Studies or Philippine Studies).
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.
-
-
Application Forms ◊ Requirements
LIST OF REQUIREMENTS
Applicants are REQUIRED to submit ONLY SOFT COPIES to apply for the TriCollege Ph.D. Program.
-
Online Application Form for the TriCollege Ph.D. Philippine Studies Program (You can fill out this form while completing your requirements)
-
Application Letter addressed to: Prof. Noel Christian A. Moratilla, Ph.D. (Chair, UP Tri-College PhD Philippine Studies Program)
-
-
A two-page description of the proposed dissertation with a multi-disciplinary orientation to be presented to the Admissions Committee
-
-
Student Directory with a 2x2 photo
-
Transcript of Records (TOR)
-
GWA of 1.75 or better in an MA or MS degree at a recognized institution.
-
If the TOR is not readily available, a True Copy of Grades (TCG) is temporarily accepted. TOR may be submitted once available.
-
-
Birth Certificate (PSA Copy)
-
One (1) piece of 2x2-sized photo
-
Marriage Certificate – For married applicants only
-
The other requirements below must be submitted directly to the TriCollege Program Secretariat by the Recommender
-
- Duly Accomplished Recommendation Forms – Minimum of THREE (3)
FILE-NAMING AND SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Applicants are REQUIRED to submit ONLY SOFT COPIES to apply for the TriCollege Ph.D. Program.
STEP 1: View the List of Requirements (see the list above).
STEP 2: Compile and change the File Name of all Requirements based on the format below. The requirement number is based on the list above.[Requirement No.]_SURNAME_Document
Example:
02_SURNAME_Application Letter
03_SURNAME_Dissertation Plan
04_SURNAME_Student Directory with Photo
05_SURNAME_TOR
06_SURNAME_Birth Certificate
07_SURNAME_GWA Computation
08_SURNAME_2x2 Photo
09_SURNAME_Marriage CertificateSTEP 3: Submit all requirements through the Online Application Form.
STEP 4: Wait for the TriCollege Program Secretariat to send you the Billing Statement
STEP 5: Pay for the Application Fee via Cash (paid at the UP Diliman Cash Office) or GCash App (How to pay via GCash).
STEP 6: Email the Proof of Payment to the TriCollege Program Secretariat: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
STEP 7: Once TriCollege Secretariat acknowledges your payment, CONGRATS! YOU HAVE APPLIED! -
Application Process ◊ Deadlines
How to Apply
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.
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.
If you already have them, do not open and scan the recommendation forms. They will be submitted—still sealed—later on.
Application Deadlines
• For Secon Semester, Academic Year 2024–2025 (January/February 2024 intake): 30 November 2024.
• For other semesters, please sign up below and choose the application deadlines for the semester (s) you wish to apply.
-
Application Fee: Payments
1. Please fill out the Application Fee Billing Statement (see below)
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 (deposit/payment slip) and billing statement 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.*
Billing Statement
Before paying, please fill out the Application Fee Billing Statement (See "Forms" tab) and send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. There will be no payment of fees at the UP Cash Office based on OUR Memorandum No. MVPLO 2020-06.
- Billing Statement for Payment of Application Fee*: PDF | Excel
- Billing Statement for Payment of Application Fee (International Applicants)*: PDF | Excel
Payment Guide
GCash
Before paying through GCash, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further instructions.
View process: https://bit.ly/gcashupd
LinkBiz
View Steps or click https://bit.ly/StepsforPaymentthruLinkbiz
-
-
- Account number pertains the account number of the payor.
- Account code is the account number of the UPD Revolving Fund, which can be seen when you generate the payment slip via CRS (see "registration tab). This is for registration-related transactions via CRS (tuition, dropping, residence, LOA, etc),
-
Other non-enrollment/non-CRS transactions (see non-CRS tab) may require a different account code, which will depend on the SOA/Billing Statement that will be issued to you by the office you're contacting. Please coordinate with them as necessary.
UPD Cash Office
The UP Diliman Cash Office is now accommodating face-to-face transactions for tuition and registration payments (Form 5/ChangeMat/AddMat/Dropping/LOA).
The location is at the PNB Building.
For other questions and concerns, you may contact the UPD Cash Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and at 8981-8500 local # 2760.
-
Tuition ◊ Financing
- 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.
-
Dissertations
Visit the Thesis and Dissertation page to see the list of dissertations. The General Rules on Graduate Programs (pp. 11–14) discusses the following:
Standards for Dissertation Change of Adviser/Reader Dissertation Committee Number of Dissertation Advisees Dissertation Adviser and Co-Adviser Dissertation Proposal Dissertation Reader Defense: Administration, Panel, and Rating Forms:
To learn more about the dissertation writing, including forms and applicable policies, please visit the Thesis and Dissertation tab of the Student Corner.
-
Contact ◊ Vicinity Map
- Office: Room 203, Hall of Wisdom
- Telefax: 63.2.8981.8500 local 3578
- Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Address: Room 203, Hall of Wisdom, GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center, University of the Philippines Diliman
Vicinity Map
Please note that vehicles entering the GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center grounds can only do so via the gate on Magsaysay Avenue that is near a UP guardhouse and a few meters away from Katipunan Avenue. A small gate for pedestrians on Guerrero St., which lies across the College of Law parking lot and a few meters away from a waiting shed, where the Ikot jeepney, and jeepneys from Philcoa and SM North pass by. View an entire map of the UP Diliman campus.
