ANU Philippines Institute

20/08/2026

💃🏽 Ready to dance your way into Filipino culture?

We’re delighted to share this upcoming ANUFA event as part of 2026 Immersia: Cariñosa - A Filipino Dance Workshop

Cariñosa is a dance of elegance, expression and connection. This hands-on workshop is a chance to learn the steps, have some fun, and experience a beautiful Filipino tradition through movement and storytelling.

The workshop will be led by Roschelle Luzares, an experienced Filipino dance performer who also performed with Cordillera Banga Dance at the 2026 National Multicultural Festival.

📅 15 September, from 3–5 pm
📍 Coombs Tea Room, Level 1, HC Coombs Building, ANU
🎟️ Free!

Everyone is welcome. And if you’d like to embrace the traditional Cariñosa look, flowing skirts or garments are encouraged (but absolutely not required!)

Come along, learn a few steps and discover the rhythm of Filipino culture. ✨

🔗 Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/2026-immersia-carinosa-a-filipino-dance-workshop

This event is a collaboration between the ANU Filipino Association - ANUFA, the School of Culture, History & Language, and the ANU Philippines Institute.

17/08/2026

🏆 Congratulations to ANU Philippines Institute member Merlinda Bobis!

We are delighted to celebrate Dr Merlinda Bobis, whose novel 'In the Name of the Trees' has been shortlisted for the 2026 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards for Fiction.

Merlinda’s work brings together questions of memory, migration, colonisation, ecology and belonging. In the Name of the Trees moves between the Philippines and Australia, weaving together stories of family, place and the natural world.

The novel is one of five works shortlisted for Fiction from 673 entries across six categories, recognising the extraordinary breadth and diversity of Australian literature.

As a member of the ANU Philippines Institute community, we are particularly proud to see Merlinda’s work receive this national recognition.

Congratulations, Merlinda!

Read more here: https://creative.gov.au/news-events/news/announcing-shortlist-2026-prime-ministers-literary-awards

13/08/2026

📣 Domestic courts, private parties, and the enforcement of international law: The Philippine context

How can private parties invoke international law through domestic courts? And what role can national courts play in giving effect to a state’s international obligations?

Join us at the ANU Philippines Institute for an upcoming seminar with Andre “Raj” Palacios, Assistant Professor and former Associate Dean of the University of the Philippines College of Law, where he teaches public international law, private international law, and ASEAN law.

Drawing on the Philippine Supreme Court’s decision in Macalintal v. Commission on Elections (2023), Raj will examine the circumstances in which international law becomes part of Philippine domestic law, whether private parties can invoke rights under international law, and whether international law can be applied despite contrary provisions of domestic law.

The discussion will also consider two potential scenarios: investor rights under the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement, and traditional fishing rights under UNCLOS.

Beyond these specific examples, the seminar raises a broader question about the relationship between individuals, domestic courts, and the international legal order; and whether domestic judicial mechanisms can provide new avenues for private parties and communities to enforce international rights and obligations.

📅 Thursday, 27 August 2026
🕠 18.00 - 19.00 AEST or 16.00 -17.00 PST
📍 In person: Regional Institutes Boardroom, HC Coombs Extension Building 8, 9 Fellows Road, ANU (In-person attendees are welcome to arrive from 17:30 pm, with light refreshments available prior to the commencement of the seminar.)
💻 Online: Zoom
🔗 Register: https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-beyond-the-horizon-of-devolution-navigating-the-next-mile-of-philippine-decentralisation

The seminar will be held in hybrid format. Please select the relevant ticket for in-person or online attendance.

07/08/2026

🎬 Filipino films on the big screen at ANU

We are pleased to share an upcoming event organised by the ANU Film Club and the ANU School of Culture, History & Language as part of the 2026 Immersia.

This free screening of First Light takes audiences to the remote mountains of the Philippines, where an unexpected death sets in motion a profound journey of faith, truth and moral courage.

When a young construction worker dies under suspicious circumstances, Sister Yolanda begins to question the institutions and beliefs that have shaped her life. As she uncovers a trail of corruption reaching into both the local community and the Church she has long served, she is forced to confront difficult truths and an increasingly complex moral dilemma.

Beautifully shot by Filipino-Australian director James J. Robinson, First Light is a compelling and visually striking drama that explores faith, justice and the choices we make when our convictions are tested.

We encourage those interested in Philippine cinema and storytelling to attend and support this fantastic film.

📅 18 Sep 2026, 7:30 – 9:30pm
📍 Kambri Cinema, The Australian National University Cultural Centre, Kambri Precinct, ANU, Acton ACT 2601, Australia
🔗 Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/2026-immersia-anu-film-club-fest-or-first-light-philippines

Filipino film screening as part of a collaboration with the ANU Film Club for Immersia

28/07/2026

𝗣𝗛 𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗔 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦 𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗙𝗨𝗟 𝗦𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗣𝗨𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟲 𝗔𝗥𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝟭𝟬𝗧𝗛 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗨 𝗣𝗛 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗨𝗧𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗨𝗠

20 July 2026, CANBERRA - Philippine Ambassador to Australia Antonio Morales underscored the Philippines' commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes and a rules-based maritime order during the Australian National University (ANU) Philippines Institute forum on Enacting National Maritime Policy in the Philippines.

The public lecture was co-organized by the Philippine Embassy together with ANU Philippines Institute and the ANU Strategic and Defence Studies Centre. Professor Herman Joseph Kraft of the University of the Philippines Diliman, delivered the keynote presentation. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Assistant Secretary for Southeast Asia Strategy and Maritime Security Branch Glenn Elson delivered the closing remarks.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Morales emphasized that the Philippines is a maritime nation whose security, prosperity, and sustainable development are intrinsically linked to the oceans and seas. He noted that maritime issues require a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach and reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes.

The Ambassador also highlighted the significance of the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award and emphasized that it is a milestone for the rules-based international order and the continued application of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He expressed appreciation for Australia's consistent support for the Award, including Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong's message during the Department of Foreign Affairs' commemorative conference. He likewise acknowledged the valuable contributions of Australia through initiatives such as the ANCORS Law of the Sea Training Program and Australia's Southeast Asia Maritime Partnerships, which have strengthened regional maritime capacity-building.

Professor Kraft discussed the evolution of the Philippines' maritime governance framework, including the establishment of the National Maritime Council, the enactment of the Maritime Zones Act, the designation of Archipelagic Sea Lanes, and the development of the National Maritime Policy. He explained that the policy seeks to provide a unified strategic framework that coordinates government agencies, strengthens maritime security and governance, advances a sustainable blue economy, addresses climate change, and reinforces the Philippines' ability to safeguard its maritime rights and interests.

In his closing remarks, Assistant Secretary Elson welcomed the Philippines' efforts to give practical effect to its archipelagic status and reaffirmed Australia's consistent support for the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award. He highlighted Australia's investment of more than AUD160 million over ten years to strengthen maritime cooperation with Southeast Asia, including support for the Philippine Coast Guard through drone technology, training, and assistance in maritime law and policy.

As maritime democracies, the Philippines and Australia remain committed to upholding UNCLOS, promoting a rules-based maritime order, preserving regional peace and stability, and protecting the marine environment. This shared commitment is also reflected in the Memorandum of Understanding on Enhanced Maritime Cooperation signed by the two countries in 2024. - END

📖 Learn more about the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award:
https://sites.google.com/dfa.gov.ph/notoneinch/home

📄 Read the Joint Statement on the Tenth Anniversary of the Philippines-China South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award:
👉 https://tinyurl.com/2ucfjmb4


🇵🇭🇦🇺

27/07/2026

🎉 Upcoming Seminar: Marcos, martial law, and the complexities of memory in the Philippines.

Join us at the ANU Philippines Institute for our upcoming webinar, “Marcos, martial law, and the complexities of memory in the Philippines.”

The webinar will explore how competing memories of the Marcos dictatorship continue to shape contemporary Philippine politics, public discourse, and understandings of history. It will examine the ways in which memories of Martial Law are constructed, contested, and reinterpreted, and what the resurgence of the Marcos family tells us about the enduring influence of historical narratives in Philippine society.

At a time when debates around historical memory, accountability, and democratic resilience remain highly relevant, this discussion provides an opportunity to reflect on how the past continues to shape political identities and contemporary challenges.

📅 24 August 2026, 17:30 to 19:00 Canberra time (AEST) / 15:30 to 17:00 Manila time (PST)
📍 Online, via zoom
🗣️ Speakers: Dr John Lee Candelaria, Prof Kerby Alvarez, Dr Jamie Pring, Dondy Ramos, Ross Tugade, Athena Charanne Presto
🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/gSWbDkZ4

We look forward to welcoming you to this important discussion.

27/07/2026

The ANU Philippines Institute is proud to support Dialogo II, organised by the AUT Philippine Studies Hub and the Philippine Studies Network Aotearoa New Zealand. We warmly encourage Australia-based PhD students to submit their abstracts by the deadline of 31 July 2026. 🇵🇭🇦🇺

For more information on Dialogo II, see https://www.philippinestudies.global/dialogo-2027.

The Institute will provide up to five (5) travel bursaries of $1,000 AUD each to support PhD students whose papers have been accepted for presentation at Dialogo II.

Eligibility
The bursaries are open to:
➡️PhD students based at an Australian university; and
➡️Applicants whose research aligns with the ANU Philippines Institute’s strategic priorities.
Eligible applicants who receive conference acceptance will be competitively considered for a travel bursary in collaboration with the Dialogo II organisers.

For more information about the Institute’s strategic priorities, please visit: https://philippinesinstitute.anu.edu.au/philippines-project

How to Apply
Applicants should submit their abstracts directly to Dialogo II by 31 July 2026.
Eligible applicants who receive conference acceptance will automatically enter the bursary selection pool. No separate application to the ANU Philippines Institute is required.

Only successful bursary recipients will be notified of the outcome.