Dr. Joefe Santarita, Dean of the Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman, presented a paper, “Panyupayana: Pre-Islamic Philippines as a Hindu Polity?” at an international conference held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi from 23 to 24 July 2015.
In his paper, Dr. Santarita argues that Pre-Islamic Philippines, or at least a part of it, was once a Hindu polity. He adduces several pieces of evidence indicating early ties between India and “Panyuyana,” which was how ancient Indian geographers referred to the Philippines. Dr. Santarita also examined Indian influences on the economy, politics, society and culture of the Philippines; he notes the use of Sanskrit words in Philippine languages, the presence of Hindu-Buddhist artifacts, and a local version of the Ramayana. Surveying the existing literature, Dean Santarita explained how these influences were facilitated by traders, merchants, mariners, and even priests, missionaries, and astrologers, among others.
The “International Conference on ASEAN-India Cultural Linkages: Historical and Contemporary Dimensions” featured panels showcasing various studies that signify a flourishing relationship between India and Southeast Asian countries. The relationship largely deals with trade, which paved the way for cultural exchanges.
The conference was organized by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), Indian Council for Cultural Relations, and the Ministry of External Affairs.
On 25 July 2015, Dr. Santarita was invited to the Philippine Embassy in Nyaya Marg, New Delhi for a meet-and-greet program by the newly appointed Philippine Ambassador to India, Mrs. Teresita Daza. He was asked to deliver a short talk on Philippine-Indian relations, and a brief presentation of the paper that he presented at the RIS international conference.
Dr. Joefe Santarita is the current dean of the Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman. He specializes in Indian studies, migration studies, Philippine culture and society, maritime history and Southeast Asian political economy. Dr. Santarita, who obtained his Ph.D. in South Asian Studies from the National University of Singapore, also handles several graduate courses at the UP Asian Center, including those on Regionalism and Community Building in Asia, Modern Asia, and Asia in Antiquity, among others. Visit his faculty profile.
The photo, provided by Dean Santarita, is of Ambassador Daza and himself.
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. For other news and upcoming events at the Asian Center, click here.
