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 Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman will be hosting a public conversation, “Financial Inclusion, Migrant Worker Reintegration and Economic Development” on 23 November 2015 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Seminar Room, Hall of Wisdom, GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center, Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman. The event is free and open to the public. Kindly fill out this Google Form to express your intent to come.

The public conversation will feature Diwa C. Guinigundo, Deputy Governor of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Jun Perez, microfinance expert and current CEO of SEEDFINANCE Corporation. 

Also on the agenda is a presentation, “Assisting the Reintegration of Philippine Return Migrants using Mobile Technology”—a policy proposal on return migration by UP Asian Center students, Yvan Ysmael Yonaha, Janina Clare Tan, and Frances Cruz—which was awarded 1st place at the recently concluded Geneva Challenge 2015.

Read: UP Asian Center Students Pen Policy Proposal on Return Migration, Win Geneva Challenge 2015

Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, but the organizers would appreciate your filling out this Google Form to signify your intent to come. The public conversation is part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Asian Center and is being held in memory of Atty. Ding Bagasao, Chairman, Economic Resource Center for Overseas Filipinos. For inquiries, email the Information Office: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


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.