Wherever I am, the world comes after me.
It offers me its busyness. It does not believe that I do not want it.
Now I understand why the old poets of China went so far
and high into the mountains, then crept into the pale mist.
"The Old Poets of China" by Mary Oliver

China Studies Majors of the UP Asian Center Attend Forum, Roundtable in Guangzhou, China

Details

Students from the UP Asian Center and the UP Department of Political Science embarked on a study tour in Guangzhou, China from 18 to 24 December 2015. The study tour was organized by the AS 235.3 class under Dr. Tina S. Clemente, in partnership with Jinan University and Sun Yat Sen University, both in Guangzhou, China.        

Four of the seven participants were enjoined in a students’ forum at Jinan University where the history and prospects of the Philippines-China relations were discussed.

  • Janina Clare Tan (MA Asian Studies), discussed the Chinese Filipinos in the Philippines. In her presentation, she highlighted the traditions and practices done by Chinese Filipinos which are also closely linked to Filipino practices and traditions.           
  • Paulo Benedicto Villar (Master in Asian Studies), discussed the Wa Zhi, or the Chinese nationals who helped the Filipino-led resistance against the Japanese during World War II.
  • Ivy Marie Ganadillo (MA Asian Studies), spoke of the New Chinese Migrants in the Philippines. She linked the socioeconomic conditions of China and the Philippines that pave the way for the new wave of migration among Chinese nationals.               
  • Florence Queen Principe (Master in International Studies), traced the trends and patterns of Philippines-China trade relations. 

Learn more about the graduate academic forum held in Jinan University. 

The participants were also invited to a roundtable with several Chinese scholars and professors from Sun Yat Sen University to discuss the prospects for Philippines-China relations. The roundtable zeroed in on the history and politics of both countries, as well as scholastic views on the South China Sea disputes. All participants have arrived in a consensus that despite the tensions between the two countries, both can still embark on a healthy partnership and cooperation in several other aspects, particularly on economic matters.

The other participants were Philip Vincent Alegre and Krystal Joy Sembrano, both students of Master in International Studies, and Patricia Camille Villa, an MA Political Science student, all from the UP Department of Political Science. Ms. Villa is also the Editorial Associate of Asian Studies: Journal of Critical Perspectives on Asia. 

Photo: Study tour participants together with professors and scholars from Jinan University and Sun Yat Sen University courtesy of Ivy Ganadillo.

The participants visited various sites in Guangzhou that tell a part of the long and rich history of China. These include the Huangpu Military Academy, the Chen Clan Academy, the Six Banyan Temple, the Guangdong Museum, the Guangzhou Tower, and the Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King, among many others. 

Read about the students' impressions on and insights gained from their study tour. 

The Asian Center offers M.A. degrees in Asian Studies with four fields of specialization: Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and West Asia. The Center also has an M.A. program in Philippine Studies that allows students to major in Philippine society and culture, Philippine foreign relations, or Philippine development studies. The Center offers a Ph.D. program in Philippine Studies in conjunction with the College of Arts and Letters and the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy. For an overview of these graduate programs, click here. The Asian Center also publishes Asian Studies: Journal of Critical Perspectives on Asia, the latest issue of which can be downloaded at the journal's website. View recent and upcoming Lectures & Conferences and read other News & Announcements. Join our mailing list to receive invitations to lectures, conferences, etc.