UST Department of Asian Studies

Following a rigorous internal and external review process, the Department is proud to announce this year's recipient of the Best Thesis Award in Asian Studies. Authors 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗮 𝗘𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻 and 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗹 𝗢𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘀, explore the hybridity of youth peacebuilding through an empirical case of the Bangsamoro Youth Commission. Drawing on ethnographically inspired methods, their research illuminates the lived introspective experiences of how "emancipation" is negotiated across power asymmetries in diverse peacebuilding spaces and systems.

Congratulations to our current junior 𝗥𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘀 on his recent appointment as Course Coordinator for the Asian Undergraduate Symposium of the National University of Singapore-College! We celebrate this milestone with you, Tim! 🐉

This leadership role recognizes Tim’s growing contributions to 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺-𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴. Through his active involvement in student-led and regional platforms, Tim has demonstrated a strong commitment to empowering young people, fostering collaboration, and creating spaces where emerging leaders can learn, connect, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. 🔑☮️🌐

“𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬, 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐳𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞… 🎞️”

A little time capsule of a day we never wanted to end—one that will eventually become a cherished reminder of a season of life filled with growth, gratitude, and the kind of friendships that made every challenge a little easier to bear.

Godspeed, ASN Batch 2026! 🤍💫

Connect with ASSOC!
X:
FB & IG: .ust
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: UST Asian Studies Society
-----
𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞. 𝐃𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜.




Posted with approval of adviser

An evening dose of the power of the B! 👑🌟 Reconnecting, reminiscing, and moving forward!

Last Thursday, some of our alumni currently with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs met with Dr. Lino Baron for a delightful kumustahan dinner. Our alumni community plays a vital role in shaping the growth of our program, and the Department remains deeply committed to supporting them in their professional journeys! We are absolutely thrilled to see our young alumni making strides with relentless dedication in the field of diplomacy and international affairs! 🌏🇵🇭

Hoping to reconnect with more of our alumni very soon! Consider this your official heads-up, we’ll be in touch! 📧☕️🍻

By using the film as a sociological lens, current seniors 𝗩𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗰 𝗙𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗰𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘀, 𝗝𝗿. brilliantly deconstructed the deep-seated cultural shifts happening within Thai households. Their work underscores a cornerstone of modern Asian Studies: that to truly understand the geopolitical or socioeconomic landscape of a nation, we must also look at how these massive macro-shifts echo in the everyday intimate relationships of the family unit.

⛪ Faith, Family, and Continuity! We celebrate with our current seniors 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮 and 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗝𝘂𝘃𝗲𝗲 𝗗𝗲 𝗚𝘂𝘇𝗺𝗮𝗻 for their successful research presentation at the annual 𝘽𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙙𝙚 𝙡𝙖𝙨 𝘾𝙖𝙨𝙖𝙨 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 2026!

The conference, which centered on the profound theme “Voices of the Poor, Voice of the Earth: Community-Engaged Research for Social Justice and Care for Creation,” was held last May 6 to 7, 2026, at the George S.K. Ty Hall, Buenaventura G. Paredes, O.P. Building. Organized by the UST SIMBAHAYAN Community Development Office and the UST Research Center for Social Sciences and Education (RCSSED), in collaboration with the Dominican Family for Justice, Peace, and Care for Creation – Philippines, the event served as a major convergence point for scholars, educators, and community leaders.

Dragon Pride shines brighter than ever 🐉

With great pride and admiration, the UST Asian Studies Society congratulates our Student Awards 2026 recipients for bringing honor to the Asian Studies community through your exceptional achievements and inspiring leadership. Your hard work, resilience, and commitment to excellence embody the values of a true Thomasian. May this well-deserved recognition encourage you to continue making meaningful contributions within and beyond the University. We celebrate your success and proudly share in this moment of . Congratulations to all our awardees!

Connect with ASSOC!
X:
FB & IG: .ust
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: UST Asian Studies Society
-----
𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞. 𝐃𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜.




Posted with approval of adviser

By evaluating specific waste recovery practices in Siquijor, current senior 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗰𝗼's research directly addresses how localized circular economies can reduce carbon footprints, minimize environmental decay, and protect vulnerable communities from ecological shifts. 🔄🛡️🏡

His highly interdisciplinary paper showcases a core truth in climate governance research: true environmental innovation requires looking closely at sub-national, distinct communities to see how they adapt, survive, and champion green initiatives on the frontlines of climate change!

We celebrate another outstanding milestone from our alumni community! Congratulations to 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗮 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗼-𝗝𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘇 for the release of her newly published, open-access research chapter! Sofia's work brilliantly investigates how museums serve as architects of collective memory, shaping national identity during highly polarized times.

If you are interested in the fields of museum curation, memory studies, and public history, this chapter from Sofia is an absolute must-read. The whole book is now available online: https://rb.gy/vkn58e