A total of 62 graduates marched for the UP Asian Center and TriCollege Ph.D. Philippine Studies Program recognition ceremonies last Sunday, 30 July 2023, 2:00 pm, at the GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center Auditorium, University of the Philippines Diliman with the theme, Sandiwaan: Interconnections. National Artist for Music, Dr. Ramon P. Santos, Professor Emeritus at the UP Diliman College of Music, was the commencement speaker and guest of honor
Dr. Ramon Santos, whose composition inspired the theme of this year’s recognition. reminded the graduates that they are “imbued with the UP spirit,” citing Hegel’s “a unity of being” and Pierre Bourdieu’s habitus. In simpler terms, the UP community—including the new alumni—has its own culture, its sariling bait. He added that despite people’s differences, individualities, and disciplines, becoming a part of the UP community instills shared commonalities and objectives in any activity, and this can be summed up in one word: “SANDIWA-AN.” Dr. Santos concluded his message by challenging the graduates to exercise Sandiwaan in their respective fields in the years ahead.
Delivering the response on behalf of the graduates were Emmeviene Ann “Emme” Ann P. Suelto for the Asian Studies program, and Sean Angelo A. Thakur for the Philippine Studies Program. Meanwhile, Marjorie Joy Almario-Magdadaro represented the TriCollege Program.
Emme, a second-generation overseas Filipino worker, shared her experience from working in Qatar and reminded the students that “we are Filipinos living in a broader world with other groups of people.” As graduates of AC, the new alumni have “the responsibility to be the bridge not only between the Philippines and the Asian region, but also the wider world.”
Sean, on the other hand, cited Patajo-Legasto’s Philippine Studies: Have We Gone Beyond St. Louis as he remarked that Philippine Studies would only remain significant if it has a critical perspective, leans on the masses, and focuses on the marginalized. Sean reminded his fellow graduates that through the narratives of the marginalized, the challenge is for them to listen to the voices of the silenced, to dive deep to uncover the truth, and to surface, defend, and unite with the forgotten parts of the society.
Finally, newly minted Ph.D., Dr. Almario-Magdadaro emphasized that they are bound by the same spirit and goal to broaden the knowledge and raise Filipino awareness about the different facets of the world, for the benefit of the nation despite the diversity among the students of the institution. Dr. Almario-Magdadaro also encouraged her fellow graduates to set aside individuality and strengthen the interconnection of each one’s disciplines, strengths, and knowledge, under the same spirit—the Filipino Spirit, the patriotic spirit.
GRADUATES OF MASTER OF ARTS IN ASIAN STUDIES (MAAS) - THESIS TRACK
MASTER OF ARTS IN ASIAN STUDIES (MAAS) GRADUATES
Nine (9) students finished their Master of Arts in Asian Studies (MA Asian Studies). Listed below are the titles of their thesis:
• Romina Eloisa Abuan
Thesis: "Not Quite Diasporic: Diasporicity of Southeast Asian Migrants' Children in the Macau Special Administrative Region"
• Bea Roselle Alvarez
Thesis: "Building a City: The Environmental and Social Challenges and Impacts of the Development of Indonesia's New Capital"
• Maria Ima Carmela Ariate
Thesis: "State and the Peasantry: Social and Historical Contestations Over Land Use in Rural Vietnam"
•. Latasha Carreon
Thesis: "Mei Nu: Examining Chinese Women's Deployment of Beauty in Four Biographical Texts"
• Melodina Cruz
Thesis: "Exploring China's Cultural Soft Power: Cinderella Chef as a Case Study"
• Jandell Marcaliñas
Thesis: "Japanese Sociocultural Influence on Migrant Entrepreneurship: Exploring the Entrepreneurial Activities of Former Filipina Entertainers in the Philippines"
• Irene Bel Ploteña
Thesis: "Seeking Admission: Mobility of Indian Medical Students in the Philippines (2014-2022)"
• Arlene Santiago
Thesis: "Land Readjustment and Disaster Resilience in Japan: Exploring Possible Applications in the Philippines"
• Emmeviene Ann Suelto
Thesis: "Arab Perceptions towards Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Qatar: An Exploratory Study"
GRADUATES OF MASTER IN ASIAN STUDIES (MAS) - NON-THESIS TRACK
MASTER IN ASIAN STUDIES
The Master in Asian Studies program produced seventeen (17) graduates:
• Gabrielle Adecer (Korea)
• Trishia Joie Billones (Southeast Asia)
• James Kevin Casalme (China)
• Ma. Victoria Ching (China)
• Ayesa Catherine De Castro (Korea)
• Claire Elise Gaurana (Southeast Asia)
• Aron Aldrich Guevarra (Southeast Asia)
• Danielle Immaculate Ignacio (Japan)
• Mary Lisbeth Ledesma (Korea)
• Kimberly Rose Lim (Korea)
• Aura Jade Lopez (Japan)
• Kathrina Liza Maño (Korea)
• Faith Madeleine Ong (Japan)
• Janielle Aretha Pelonio (Korea)
• Froilan Rivera (Southeast Asia)
• Allaine Charisse Tolentino (Korea)
• Nicolette Micah Suguitan (Korea)
GRADUATES OF MASTER OF ARTS IN PHILIPPINE STUDIES (MAPS) - THESIS TRACK
MASTER OF ARTS IN PHILIPPINE STUDIES (MAPS) GRADUATES
Ten (10) students finished their Master of Arts in Philippine Studies (MA Philippine Studies). Listed below are the titles of their thesis:
• Franz Jude Abelgas
Thesis: "LGBT Inclusion in the Gender and Development Program of the City of Manila, Philippines"
• Mariam Jayne Agonos
Thesis: "Interrogating Sense of Belonging and Citizenship among Filipinos in Diaspora in Taiwan"
• Gladys Mae Argonza
Thesis: "Disaster Memories of Ivatan Women: Narratives Before, During and After a Typhoon"
• Jervy Briones
Thesis: “Revolution in Exile: Transnational Mobilizations of Filipinos in the United States and China, 1971-1986”
• Rizelle Diaz
Thesis: "The COVID-19 Pandemic in Binmaley: Changes in Space, Experience of Religion, and Faith Expressions"
• Christian Gultia
Thesis: "The Human Rights Defenders in Post-Edsa Philippines"
• Kyle Philip Ravena
"Oto Valentin: Stories of Leadership, Resistance, and Compromise in the Mountains of 20th Century Maasin, Iloilo"
• Frauline Tadle
Thesis: "Teaching and Learning Activism as Experienced in Two Senior High Schools: A Grounded Theory Approach"
• Jericho Lester Vargas
Thesis: "Sakay, Salakay, Salaysay: Navigating (Im) Mobility and Everyday Commuting in a Metro Manila Transport Route"
• Bryan Gabriel Ugaddan
Thesis: "Ang Ating Ha(Pagpag)-Kainan: Analyzing the Food (In)Security Situation and Philippine Food 'Culture' through Pagpag Narratives"
GRADUATES OF MASTER IN PHILIPPINE STUDIES (MPS) - NON-THESIS TRACK
MASTER IN PHILIPPINE STUDIES
Lastly, twelve (12) graduated from the Master in Philippine Studies Program:
• Anna Angelica Angala (Foreign Relations)
• Mark Edel Diaz (Foreign Relations)
• Irish Dominado (Development Studies)
• Maria Corinna Priscila Escartin (Development Studies)
• Jerome Jogno (Development Studies)
• Ysabel Anne Drew Padua (Socio-Cultural Studies)
• Aldrin Rodriguez (Development Studies)
• Julius Samonte (Socio-Cultural Studies)
• Paolo Samoza (Foreign Relations)
• Sean Angelo Thakur (Development Studies)
• Leonard Ubanan (Foreign Relations)
• Jacinto Valila, Jr. (Socio-Cultural Studies)
GRADUATES OF THE TRICOLLEGE PROGRAM
Ph.D. IN PHILIPPINE STUDIES GRADUATES
Twelve (12) students also graduated from the Ph.D. in Philippine Studies. Listed below are the titles of their dissertations:
• Rosella Bahni
Dissertation: “Ibaloy Notions of Homeland from Memories of Place: An Oral History of Loakan, Baguio City”
• Peter Jerome Del Rosario
Dissertation: “Komentaryo ni Kalabaw: The Carabao in Jess Abrera's A. Lipin Cartoon Strips (1985-2018) as an Image of the Filipino's Resistance Identity and the Philippines' Cultural Species"
• Romeo Galang
Dissertation: “Pagpapakahulugan sa mga Naratibong Nakapaloob sa mga Banal na Ukit ng mga Sangley at Mestiso, 1590-1898”
• Mary Cita Hufana
Dissertation: “The Shaping of a Scientific Built Environment (Likhang Kaligiran): The University of the Philippines Los Baños, 1965-1986”
• Joelle Florence Patrice Jacinto
Dissertation: “The Filipino Ballet: Examining Process of Indigenization and Its Identification in/of Nation”
• Ma. Alena Macasil
Dissertation: “Kabilin Ug Bahandi: Traditional Games as Educational Tools in the Preservation of Heritage and Culture among Universities in Cebu City”
• Marjorie Joy Magdadaro
Dissertation: “Diyandi: Kultural na Perfomans Bilang Kabilin at Kasaysayan ng Dakbayan sa Iligan”
• Edna Martinez
Dissertation: “The Symphony Orchestra in the Philippines: A Cultural Outline (1896-1986)”
• Aileen May Mijares
Dissertation: “Danas at Dagok ng Tokhang: State Terror, Gender, and the War on Drugs”
• Andrew Rey Peña
Dissertation: “Assessing the Ethnolinguistic Vitality of Pahanan towards Developing an Instrument for Measurement”
• Rodolfo Sabio
Dissertation: “Pagsinaryo Kag Pangabuhian: Implications of Changes in the Concept of Land Ownership Among the Ati of Nagpana in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo”
• Norby Salonga
Dissertation: “The Cooperative Model in the Philippine Social Economy: Contributions and Challenges of the Three Local Cooperatives”
• Katherine Frances Valdellon-Molina
Dissertation: “The Filipino Contemporary Commercial Music Singer: Mimicry or Phenomenon”
• Jay Neil Verano
Dissertation: “Saysay-Laum: Kritikal na Pag-arok sa Panlipunang Balor ng mga Kwentong-Bayang Daluyan ng Kabayanihan at Paghihimagsik ni Agustin Sumuroy ng Hilagang Samar”
GRADUATES OF MASTER OF ARTS IN ASIAN STUDIES (MAAS) - THESIS TRACK
MASTER OF ARTS IN ASIAN STUDIES (MAAS) GRADUATES
Nine (9) students finished their Master of Arts in Asian Studies (MA Asian Studies). Listed below are the titles of their thesis:
• Romina Eloisa Abuan
Thesis: "Not Quite Diasporic: Diasporicity of Southeast Asian Migrants' Children in the Macau Special Administrative Region"
• Bea Roselle Alvarez
Thesis: "Building a City: The Environmental and Social Challenges and Impacts of the Development of Indonesia's New Capital"
• Maria Ima Carmela Ariate
Thesis: "State and the Peasantry: Social and Historical Contestations Over Land Use in Rural Vietnam"
•. Latasha Carreon
Thesis: "Mei Nu: Examining Chinese Women's Deployment of Beauty in Four Biographical Texts"
• Melodina Cruz
Thesis: "Exploring China's Cultural Soft Power: Cinderella Chef as a Case Study"
• Jandell Marcaliñas
Thesis: "Japanese Sociocultural Influence on Migrant Entrepreneurship: Exploring the Entrepreneurial Activities of Former Filipina Entertainers in the Philippines"
• Irene Bel Ploteña
Thesis: "Seeking Admission: Mobility of Indian Medical Students in the Philippines (2014-2022)"
• Arlene Santiago
Thesis: "Land Readjustment and Disaster Resilience in Japan: Exploring Possible Applications in the Philippines"
• Emmeviene Ann Suelto
Thesis: "Arab Perceptions towards Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Qatar: An Exploratory Study"
GRADUATES OF MASTER IN ASIAN STUDIES (MAS) - NON-THESIS TRACK
MASTER IN ASIAN STUDIES
The Master in Asian Studies program produced seventeen (17) graduates:
• Gabrielle Adecer (Korea)
• Trishia Joie Billones (Southeast Asia)
• James Kevin Casalme (China)
• Ma. Victoria Ching (China)
• Ayesa Catherine De Castro (Korea)
• Claire Elise Gaurana (Southeast Asia)
• Aron Aldrich Guevarra (Southeast Asia)
• Danielle Immaculate Ignacio (Japan)
• Mary Lisbeth Ledesma (Korea)
• Kimberly Rose Lim (Korea)
• Aura Jade Lopez (Japan)
• Kathrina Liza Maño (Korea)
• Faith Madeleine Ong (Japan)
• Janielle Aretha Pelonio (Korea)
• Froilan Rivera (Southeast Asia)
• Allaine Charisse Tolentino (Korea)
• Nicolette Micah Suguitan (Korea)
GRADUATES OF MASTER OF ARTS IN PHILIPPINE STUDIES (MAPS) - THESIS TRACK
MASTER OF ARTS IN PHILIPPINE STUDIES (MAPS) GRADUATES
Ten (10) students finished their Master of Arts in Philippine Studies (MA Philippine Studies). Listed below are the titles of their thesis:
• Franz Jude Abelgas
Thesis: "LGBT Inclusion in the Gender and Development Program of the City of Manila, Philippines"
• Mariam Jayne Agonos
Thesis: "Interrogating Sense of Belonging and Citizenship among Filipinos in Diaspora in Taiwan"
• Gladys Mae Argonza
Thesis: "Disaster Memories of Ivatan Women: Narratives Before, During and After a Typhoon"
• Jervy Briones
Thesis: “Revolution in Exile: Transnational Mobilizations of Filipinos in the United States and China, 1971-1986”
• Rizelle Diaz
Thesis: "The COVID-19 Pandemic in Binmaley: Changes in Space, Experience of Religion, and Faith Expressions"
• Christian Gultia
Thesis: "The Human Rights Defenders in Post-Edsa Philippines"
• Kyle Philip Ravena
"Oto Valentin: Stories of Leadership, Resistance, and Compromise in the Mountains of 20th Century Maasin, Iloilo"
• Frauline Tadle
Thesis: "Teaching and Learning Activism as Experienced in Two Senior High Schools: A Grounded Theory Approach"
• Jericho Lester Vargas
Thesis: "Sakay, Salakay, Salaysay: Navigating (Im) Mobility and Everyday Commuting in a Metro Manila Transport Route"
• Bryan Gabriel Ugaddan
Thesis: "Ang Ating Ha(Pagpag)-Kainan: Analyzing the Food (In)Security Situation and Philippine Food 'Culture' through Pagpag Narratives"
GRADUATES OF MASTER IN PHILIPPINE STUDIES (MPS) - NON-THESIS TRACK
MASTER IN PHILIPPINE STUDIES
Lastly, twelve (12) graduated from the Master in Philippine Studies Program:
• Anna Angelica Angala (Foreign Relations)
• Mark Edel Diaz (Foreign Relations)
• Irish Dominado (Development Studies)
• Maria Corinna Priscila Escartin (Development Studies)
• Jerome Jogno (Development Studies)
• Ysabel Anne Drew Padua (Socio-Cultural Studies)
• Aldrin Rodriguez (Development Studies)
• Julius Samonte (Socio-Cultural Studies)
• Paolo Samoza (Foreign Relations)
• Sean Angelo Thakur (Development Studies)
• Leonard Ubanan (Foreign Relations)
• Jacinto Valila, Jr. (Socio-Cultural Studies)
GRADUATES OF THE TRICOLLEGE PROGRAM
Ph.D. IN PHILIPPINE STUDIES GRADUATES
Twelve (12) students also graduated from the Ph.D. in Philippine Studies. Listed below are the titles of their dissertations:
• Rosella Bahni
Dissertation: “Ibaloy Notions of Homeland from Memories of Place: An Oral History of Loakan, Baguio City”
• Peter Jerome Del Rosario
Dissertation: “Komentaryo ni Kalabaw: The Carabao in Jess Abrera's A. Lipin Cartoon Strips (1985-2018) as an Image of the Filipino's Resistance Identity and the Philippines' Cultural Species"
• Romeo Galang
Dissertation: “Pagpapakahulugan sa mga Naratibong Nakapaloob sa mga Banal na Ukit ng mga Sangley at Mestiso, 1590-1898”
• Mary Cita Hufana
Dissertation: “The Shaping of a Scientific Built Environment (Likhang Kaligiran): The University of the Philippines Los Baños, 1965-1986”
• Joelle Florence Patrice Jacinto
Dissertation: “The Filipino Ballet: Examining Process of Indigenization and Its Identification in/of Nation”
• Ma. Alena Macasil
Dissertation: “Kabilin Ug Bahandi: Traditional Games as Educational Tools in the Preservation of Heritage and Culture among Universities in Cebu City”
• Marjorie Joy Magdadaro
Dissertation: “Diyandi: Kultural na Perfomans Bilang Kabilin at Kasaysayan ng Dakbayan sa Iligan”
• Edna Martinez
Dissertation: “The Symphony Orchestra in the Philippines: A Cultural Outline (1896-1986)”
• Aileen May Mijares
Dissertation: “Danas at Dagok ng Tokhang: State Terror, Gender, and the War on Drugs”
• Andrew Rey Peña
Dissertation: “Assessing the Ethnolinguistic Vitality of Pahanan towards Developing an Instrument for Measurement”
• Rodolfo Sabio
Dissertation: “Pagsinaryo Kag Pangabuhian: Implications of Changes in the Concept of Land Ownership Among the Ati of Nagpana in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo”
• Norby Salonga
Dissertation: “The Cooperative Model in the Philippine Social Economy: Contributions and Challenges of the Three Local Cooperatives”
• Katherine Frances Valdellon-Molina
Dissertation: “The Filipino Contemporary Commercial Music Singer: Mimicry or Phenomenon”
• Jay Neil Verano
Dissertation: “Saysay-Laum: Kritikal na Pag-arok sa Panlipunang Balor ng mga Kwentong-Bayang Daluyan ng Kabayanihan at Paghihimagsik ni Agustin Sumuroy ng Hilagang Samar”
