Center for West Visayan Studies - UP Visayas

Today, we commemorate the 128th Philippine Independence Day with deep pride as we honor the heroism and courage of the men and women who fought valiantly for the freedom we enjoy today. May their sacrifice continue to inspire every Filipino to uphold integrity, honor, and patriotism.

"Only he is truly a patriot who, whatever his post, high or low, tries to do the greatest possible good to his countrymen."

~ Apolinario Mabini

MORE PHOTOS: “Pulo, Panublion, Pagpadayon: A Participatory Heritage Mapping Initiative in the Gigantes Group of Islands, Carles, Iloilo” through participatory heritage mapping workshops last May 21-22, 2026 at Gigantes Group of Islands, Carles, Iloilo.

We were delighted to welcome the teachers of Pavia National High School, Alnen Grace Puerto, Alora Suerte, Riza Joy Prodigo, and Dr. Rosally Perlas, for a meaningful visit and exchange of insights.

Looking forward to future collaborations!

CWVS Research Associate Shares Research Insights at Graduate Conference

Darlene Joy Calsado, the University Research Associate of the Center for West Visayan Studies (CWVS), was invited as keynote speaker and as a panelist at the Graduate Education Research Conference of the Master of Educational Management program of the Northwestern Visayan College (NVC) of Kalibo, Aklan, held last May 29, 2026 at Carmen Resort, Pandan, Antique. Calsado was invited by Dr. Rebecca Tandog Barrios, Dean of the NVC Graduate Studies Program.

In her lecture, Calsado highlighted the significant interconnection of research, education, and sustainable community transformation. Calsado has been involved in research and public service initiatives under the CWVS in the fields of indigenous knowledge, resource management, heritage education, and participatory research approaches.

Written by Sashah Dioso, CWVS
Photos by Joejit Nahil Naldoza

Iloilo City, UP Visayas collaborate on La Paz Batchoy heritage

The team of the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UP-CIDS) - Center for West Visayan Studies (CWVS) project “Namit Gid!: A Multistakeholders Collaboration for Ilonggo’s Batchoy” attended a consultation meeting with Mayor Raisa Treñas to discuss efforts in preserving and protecting La Paz Batchoy last May 19, 2026. Members of the project team present were Sashah B. Dioso (Project Leader), Dr. Mary Rose G. Rebueno (Research Fellow), Darlene Joy D. Calsado (Research Fellow) and Aprille Danilly A. Guintibano (Senior Office Assistant).

Representatives from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Iloilo Provincial Office, and key city government offices also participated in initial discussions on the initiative to safeguard Iloilo’s very own La Paz Batchoy, possibly through Certification Mark and Geographical Indication (GI) mechanisms.

During the meeting, the team presented the project’s accomplishments and highlighted the possibility of exploring protective mechanism pathways for the La Paz Batchoy through coordinated efforts of stakeholders. Ms. Marianne Tajanlangit-Bebit from the IPOPHL outlined a proposed roadmap that includes organizing producers, documenting culinary traditions, creating product standards, and developing a certification mark, that may later pave the way for a formal GI registration application. A GI registration protects goods whose unique qualities or reputation come from their geographical origin.

Mayor Raisa Treñas discussed the importance of protecting La Paz Batchoy emphasizing that the beloved Ilonggo dish is not just a culinary staple but an important symbol of the Ilonggo identity and heritage. She also expressed her full support for the initiative and committed to bringing together stakeholders from the tourism, cultural heritage, and enterprise development sectors.

The proposed initiative draws inspiration from internationally recognized GI products such as Champagne, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Darjeeling Tea, as well as the Philippines’ own and first GI-registered Guimaras Mangoes. Other Philippine GI- registered products are Aklan Piña, Alburquerque Asin Tibuok, and T'nalak Tau Sebu.

As Iloilo City continues to promote its identity as a UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy, there is an expressed optimism that safeguarding La Paz Batchoy will help preserve the dish’s authenticity while elevating Iloilo’s reputation as a center of culinary heritage in the Philippines.

Written by Aprille Danilly Guintibano
Photos by Darlene Joy Calsado, Mayor Raisa Treñas Official Page

CWVS and OCEP launch Participatory Heritage Mapping in the Gigantes Group of Islands
The Center for West Visayan Studies (CWVS), in partnership with the Office of Continuing Education and Pahinungod (OCEP), and in collaboration with Department of Education (DepEd) schools in Carles, Iloilo launched the public-service initiative, “Pulo, Panublion, Pagpadayon: A Participatory Heritage Mapping Initiative in the Gigantes Group of Islands, Carles, Iloilo” through participatory heritage mapping workshops last May 21-22, 2026 at Gigantes Group of Islands, Carles, Iloilo.
The initiative aims to strengthen community-based heritage documentation in the context of island communities through participatory heritage mapping workshops for public school teachers who are also locals of the islands. The workshops, held last May 21 at Granada National High School and May 22 at Granada National High School Ballesteros Campus, produced a preliminary, community-generated listing of heritage assets identified by participating teachers, including participatory heritage maps that visually locate key cultural and natural heritage resources across North and South Gigantes Islands.
Sixty (60) teachers from six public schools participated in the activity – 30 from North Gigantes (Granada National High School, Granada Elementary School, and Asluman Elementary School), and 30 from South Gigantes (Granada National High School Ballesteros Campus, Gabi Elementary School, and Lantangan Elementary School). These teachers will be documenting their heritage assets on their available time outside of their teaching responsibilities for a duration of four months, which will be followed by writeshops and validation activities.
This one-year initiative is a response to the need of many island communities in Western Visayas that remain underrepresented in formal heritage documentation despite possessing rich cultural traditions shaped by maritime environments.
The project team is composed of Prof. Jonevee Amparo (CWVS Acting Director), Darlene Joy Calsado (CWVS University Research Associate), Sashah Dioso (CWVS University Research Associate), Marianito Ramirez (OCEP University Extension Associate), Faith Saraza (CWVS Administrative Assistant), and Michelle Villavert (heritage mapping expert).

📌ANNOUNCEMENT:
Please be informed that the CWVS Office and Library will be closed on May 20 - 22, 2026 (Wednesday to Friday) for a heritage mapping training-workshop in Carles, Iloilo.

For inquiries and transactions, kindly email us through: [email protected].

In celebration of National Heritage Month 2026 with the theme, “Roots and Horizons: Our Shared Heritage, Our Collective Future,” the Center for West Visayan Studies and the Office of Continuing Education and Pahinungod of the University of the Philippines Visayas proudly launch:

“𝗣𝘂𝗹𝗼, 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗽𝗮𝗱𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗻: A Participatory Heritage Mapping Initiative in the Gigantes Group of Islands, Carles, Iloilo.”

This initiative brings together teachers from North and South Gigantes Islands to engage in participatory heritage mapping workshops that aim to identify, document, and preserve the rich cultural and natural heritage of the island communities.

This project seeks to ensure that island narratives remain alive and become part of the broader regional heritage discourse.

Through lectures and mapping exercises, participating educators will help build community-generated heritage profiles and maps that reflect the unique identity of the Gigantes Islands.

📍 Gigantes Norte & Gigantes Sur, Carles, Iloilo
📅 May 21–22, 2026

UP CIDS and CWVS LRSN join ASEAN Regional Geographical Indications (GI) Forum

Team members of the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UP CIDS) and the Center for West Visayan Studies Local Resource Studies Network (CWVS LRSN) project, “Namit Gid!: A Multistakeholder Collaboration for Ilonggo Batchoy,” participated in the ASEAN Regional Geographical Indications (GI) Forum held on May 13–14, 2026, at the Courtyard by Marriott in Iloilo City.

The forum was organized by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the ASEAN.

Carrying the theme “SynerGI: Building Alliances for Sustainable GI Development,” the three-day forum highlighted the vital role of geographical indications in preserving cultural heritage, strengthening local economies, and promoting sustainable regional development. Cultural demonstrations featured Aklan Piña Weaving, Lake Sebu T’nalak Weaving, and Indonesian Coffee.

The event gathered representatives from ASEAN member countries, European Union partners, government agencies, academic institutions, and local producers from various regions, including Guimaras, Aklan, Bicol, and Lake Sebu. Senator Loren Legarda gave the keynote message.

The participation of the UP CIDS and CWVS LRSN Batchoy Project team underscored the growing efforts to safeguard and promote Iloilo’s batchoy through possible application for collective mark or geographical indication recognition. The batchoy project, in partnership with the Iloilo City Government, has facilitated multi-stakeholder conversations to advance initiatives that protect and promote one of Iloilo’s most iconic culinary traditions.

Written by Aprille Danilly A. Guintibano
Photos courtesy of Aprille Danilly A. Guintibano

JOIN US. The National Museum of the Philippines – San Jose de Buenavista (Antique) invites the public to Pagbálay kag Pagsaysay: Construction of Narratives Through Writing, Visuals, and Politics from Panay to Spain, on 20 April 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Legislative Hall of the Old Antique Provincial Capitol, San Jose de Buenavista, Antique.

This public program brings together conversations on regional history, archival recovery, visual culture, and political writing through the lives and works of Félix Laureano, Vicente Rendon Gella, and Graciano López Jaena. It also marks the Antique launch of the books Graciano’s Dirty Fingers and Bugasong to Barcelona.

The talks will be delivered by Frank Villanueva — Searching for Felix Laureano in Bugasong and Barcelona, Anna Cecilia Pefianco — Recovering the records of Vicente Rendon Gella, and Emmanuel Lerona — Finding dirt in Graciano’s dirty fingers.

Faculty, staff, students, researchers, cultural workers, and interested members of the public are invited to attend.

This National Literature Month program is presented by the National Museum of the Philippines – San Jose de Buenavista (Antique), in partnership with the Province of Antique and the Friends of UP Visayas High School Foundation, Inc.

The program is made possible with the support of the UPV Office of the Initiatives for Culture and the Arts, Center for West Visayan Studies, UPV Division of Professional Education, Hirupay Daonhon, UP Antiqueno, and JCI Antique.

Register here for the event: https://forms.gle/NgDJwQ38mczrNQvYA