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

The UP Asian Center will hold a forum, “Navigating the Philippine Strategic Resource Landscape: Realities and Ways Forward,” on 12 December 2019, 1-5 PM at the UP Asian Center, QC. The conference is free and open to the public. Seating a first-come, first served basis. Walk ins are welcome, but participants are encouraged to sign up.

The presentations in the forum will discuss current and emerging issues on energy competition in the MENA, Central Asia and Southeast Asia regions and their implications on the Philippines' economic growth and development, energy policies and foreign relations.

Registration starts at 1 pm.

The Presentations

China’s ODA for the Kaliwa Dam Project: Act of Benevolence or Display of Power?
    Nelin Estocado-Dulpina

The World Water Forum and the Philippines: The Relevance of Water Management in Securitizing a Water Resource
    Paolo Somoza

Resources Management in the West Philippine Sea
     Ruel Zamudio

Energy Security Through Natural Gas Production and Supply in the Philippines: Issues and Perspectives
     Jonald Bagasina

The Politics of Green Energy: Political Processes and Actors in the Renewable Energy Policy Development in Taiwan and the Philippines
     Darlene Estrada

Clean Energy Revolution: The Implications of Singapore's Shift Towards the Use of Clean Energy for the Philippines
     Faye Pilar

Steel A March On: Exploring the Risk of and Opportunities for the Philippines in Opening its Mineral Industry to China
     Cady Perez

Petro-Nationalism: A Case Study in the Philippines
     Melkie Bakwit

*Free snacks and beverages will be served during the conference.

The Presenters

The conference will feature the research of students of Philippine Studies 279: Current Issues & Problems in Philippine External Relations. For queries, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. View vicinity map.


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 atthe journal's website. For other news and upcoming events at the Asian Center, click here.