USC Department of Anthropology, Sociology, and History

Since its inception, anthropology, sociology, and history students have played a vital role in Today’s Carolinian—the former official student publication of the University of San Carlos, which is now operating independently.

We are thrilled to announce that the USC Museum, in collaboration with Today’s Carolinian, has launched a digitization project for its archival copies. This initiative now grants everyone easy access to past issues. Head over to their website to browse the collection and relive your favorite memories—from deep conversations at the round tables to lively, creative protests in the quadrangle!

Digital Archives - Today's Carolinian A digital archive for all articles of Today's Carolinian

Repair and replacement of the wooden beams and planks of the Sama-Bajau Side A open community gathering area has commenced last May 27, 2026. The USC Department of Anthropology, Sociology, and History facilitated and monitored construction works. Through the support of the USC CES office, additional wooden planks have been ordered to finish the repair within the month of June. This area is important for the community as it serves as their main entrance as well as gathering area for weddings and other activities. Aside from the USC CES, there were also donations from faculty, students, and alumni of DASH and other departments, the Carolinian Nurses Alumni Association, and other private individuals. For those who still wish to donate, please send through GCash no. 09478595954 (Zona Hildegarde S. Amper, project coordinator)

Our Anthropology of Philippine Development final presentations last Saturday, conducted as part of the MA Anthropology program, featured student papers on:

• Local perceptions on Japanese Tourism• 7-Eleven and Sari-sari Stores in Visayas State University• Traffic Navigation among Cebu’s Motorcycle Drivers• Tourism in Moalboal• Disaster Vulnerability in Liloan’s Riverside Communities

These studies highlight the potential of anthropological research to contribute to the still limited literature on development in the Philippine context and represent a promising body of work with significant potential for further research and scholarly publication.

USC Department of Anthropology, Sociology, and History faculty members jumpstart a University-wide Community Extension Service program in partnership with the Parokya ni San Jose in Madridejos, Alegria, Cebu with a Cultural Mapping and Community Needs Assessment workshop held on May 27-28, 2026. This was participated in by chapel leaders and community members in Brgys. Madridejos, Compostela, and Valencia in the municipality of Alegria, Cebu. Subsequent activities by DASH, other departments, and schools of the University of San Carlos will be conducted in line with the results of the workshop.

Today, our Gender, Society, and Culture class (SoAn 2202) engaged with the security guards and janitorial staff of University of San Carlos through a seminar on the Safe Spaces Act. Grounded in anthropological perspectives on gender, power, and social relations, the seminar sought to contextualize gender-based violence not merely as individual acts, but as manifestations of broader cultural norms and structural inequalities embedded within Philippine society and institutional spaces.

Participants were encouraged to reflect on how simple actions, words, and attitudes can contribute to either a safer or less welcoming environment for others.

The seminar was warmly received, with participants actively engaging in the discussions and sharing their own thoughts and experiences throughout the session.

From classroom to real-world experience, BA Anthropology students presented what they have learned throughout their internship journey from various partner museums/research centers/non-government organizations this semester — Rappler, Children’s Legal Bureau, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Sugbo Chinese Museum, Jesuit House, USC Museum, Advance Technology Institute, Center for Social Research and Education and Center for Sociocultural Research and Heritage Studies.

We are grateful for the supervisors who went out of their way to join us and gave the valuable feedback on the performance of our students.

Anthropology students under the Directed Research (Thesis 2) class will be presenting their respective research outputs during the 5th DASH Students' Research Forum on May 22, 2026, 9am-12nn, at the SAS AVR. They will focus on the lives and struggles of vendors amid the Carbon Market Modernization, subsistence rice farmers in Ormoc City, buwak-papel makers amid a declining practice, and firefighters at the Pardo Fire Sub-station. This serves as the culmination of the field research each of them conducted during the entire semester, utilizing qualitative research methods. Anthropology enables student-researchers to explore diverse topics aligned with their respective interests.

Malipayong Pagsaulog sa Adlawng Internasyonal sa Museyo ug Buwan sa Kabilin 2026!

Today’s global crisis has challenged solidarity among cultures but despite the conflicts, museums play an important role to act “as bridges across cultural, social, and geopolitical divides to foster dialogue, understanding, inclusion, and peace within and between communities worldwide.”

Your will demonstrate how powerful museums can be in bridging cultural gaps as we celebrate with the theme “Museums Uniting a Divided World”.

This , your -Cebu brings you another in-person Kartograpiya Lecture Series featuring the Sama Bajau, a migratory ethnic group found across Southeast Asia:

📋 Topic: “Connecting Worlds by Embracing Sugbuanon Cultural Diversity: The Sama Bajau in Cebu’s Maritime History.”
👩🏼‍🏫 Resource Person: Dr. Zona Hildegarde S. Amper, the Director of the University of San Carlos - Center for Social Research and Education (USC-CSRE)
🗓🕐 Date and Time: 18 May 2026; Monday; 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Venue: 2nd Floor Lobby of the NMP-Cebu

Join our lecture and let’s widen our perspectives and understanding about the Sama Bajau and their influence and relevance to Cebuano maritime culture and history.

To become part of our in-person participants, you may reserve your seats in advance by filling-out our registration form through this link, https://forms.gle/g5Dw83NYLeNfKNsY7.

Magkita-kita ‘ta puhon!



© National Museum of the Philippines - Cebu (2026)

USC Anthropology students present the results of their field research in Argao, focusing on ancestral houses, candle vending, hablon, torta, and tableya to an audience of Argaoanon culture bearers, heritage advocates, parish staff, and municipal personnel. This forum was organized in coordination with the Municipality of Argao Tourism Office.