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

Our Birthday, Our Treat: Enjoy a Buffet of Webinars for our 66th Anniversary

This month, the UP Asian Center is commemorating its 66th Anniversary with the theme, “Continuity and Change: The Asian Center @ 66.” As part of its celebration, there will be a month-long series of online activities (via Zoom) that are free and open to the public, but require signing in to a Zoom account.  All times are in Philippine Standard Time. 


Geopolitical Competition in Central Asia: Regional and Global Implications | A Webinar

  • 9 November 2021, 2:00 pm–5:00 pm
  • This lecture will focus on the implications of Geopolitical Competition in Central Asia to the other neighboring regions such as the Middle East, Russia, South Asia, and East Asia. The webinar will discuss this in terms of best analytical cases and examples that Central Asia experienced during its existence as an independent region and geopolitical integrity and entity. VIEW DETAILS and SIGN UP.

A Gathering of Asian Center Alumni and Friends

  • 19 November 2021, 5:00 pm–7:00 pm (Not to Open to the Public). This event discuss how the Asian Center can reconnect with its alumni friends and discuss how they can establish partnerships with their alma mater and help the AC pursue its academic and public mandate vis-a-vis Asian Studies and Philippine Studies

Collecting Histories: Gems from the Asian Center Art Collection: An Online Exhibit

  • 22 November 2021, 3:00 pm–6:00 pm (Launch)
  • This exhibit showcases works that originate, or were inspired by the arts of Southeast Asia, India, Iran, East Asia, and the Philippines. All exemplify different styles and techniques: from Indonesian leaf art, Mughal-style painting and “temple rubbing” to Chinese ink painting, Okinawan rice-resist dyeing, palette-knife, and Persian calligraphy, nasta’liq style. VIEW DETAILS & SIGN UP.

Mandala: Tessellation of Culture: Online Art Exhibit Launch

  • 23 November 2021, 2:00 pm
  • Description to follow

"New Directions for Asian Studies" Webinar Series: Network of Knowledge in Asia | Online Roundtable

  • 26 November 2021, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm 
  • This online roundtable is the first of this series that aims to bring together leading key figures from the various international networks—including EUROSEAS and the Association for Asian Studies—that promote the study of Asia. The roundtable aims to discuss the current state of Asian Studies, issues faced, and initiatives to advance the field in light of these challenges. VIEW DETAILS & SIGN UP.

Interrogating Globalization in the Asian Context | A Webinar

  • 29 November 2021, 10:30 am—12:00 noon
  • Speaker: Dr. Jayati Ghosh, Professor, Political Economy Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • This webinar hopes to feature Asian and international political economy and analyses on the root causes of and national and global responses to the current existential crisis will contribute to widening the policy discussion on economic recovery and transformation in the Philippines and ASEAN development circles. VIEW DETAILS & SIGN UP.

About the Activities

Visit the 66th Anniversary Page to learn more about the theme and activities. Also, please join our mailing list to receive email announcements per event or follow our Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram pages. 
For queries, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 
The UP 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.