AUNILO - Libraries of Asean University Network

🌟 What an unforgettable finale to the 21st AUNILO Meeting and Workshop! Our delegates experienced a beautiful full-circle journey, bridging the deep roots of ASEAN history with the bold frontiers of tomorrow.

🍃 Yesterday, after their extraordinary walk through history in Biñan, the transition brought them into the future at the DLSU Laguna Campus. Ms. Marie Chezka Tamayo, Senior High School Librarian-Manila, energetically led the program, followed by a warm opening remarks from Dr. Jonathan R. Dungca, Vice President for the Laguna Campus.

The delegates explored the country’s very first private HEI proclaimed as a Knowledge, Innovation, Science and Technology (KIST) Ecozone, and went inside the following sites:
📍 Santuario De La Salle
📍 John Gokongwei, Jr. Innovation Center
📍 George S.K. Ty Advanced Instrumentation Building
📍 Enrique K. Razon, Jr. Hall
📍 The Learning Commons@Laguna

Seeing our delegates roam around this thriving hub of sustainability, green tech, and interdisciplinary research was the perfect living embodiment of our theme, “The Future is Plural.”

🍦 After experiencing the Philippine summer, they enjoyed the ube flavored ice cream refreshments to bring the tour into a sweet success.

De La Salle University De La Salle University Libraries

🚌 We have reached the third and final day of the 21st AUNILO Meeting 2026. Today, we stepped out of the halls and straight into the pages of history! 🇵🇭✨

Our delegates have headed south to the beautiful province of Laguna for an immersive cultural experience and heritage tour of the City of Biñan. We are incredibly honored to have this journey facilitated by our very own faculty member and renowned historian, Dr. Xiao Chua, who is bringing the stories of these historic spaces to life.

📜 Our delegates explored a blend of history and innovation:
📍Sentrong Pangkultura ng Biñan: Witnessing how the city beautifully preserves its vibrant cultural and heritage landscape.
📍The School of Rizal Site and Museum: Walking the very grounds where Rizal received his early education.
📍The Historic Alberto Mansion: The maternal ancestral house of Dr. José Rizal, and uniquely, the only original structure left in the Philippines with a direct, living connection to our national hero.

Special thanks to Biñan City Culture, History, Arts and Tourism Office for accommodating and touring the delegates around their historic city.

It was a beautiful day of bonding, learning, and cross-cultural friendship. 📸

We have officially wrapped up 2nd day of the 21st AUNILO Meeting 2026, and to say our minds are expanded would be an understatement! 🧠✨

We started the midday transition with a wonderfully warm and grounded welcome from our De La Salle University’s Associate Provost, Dr. Elenita D. Garcia, reminding us of the vital role libraries play in the changing landscape of higher education. 📖

📝 The workshop, "Designing the Future Today: Aligning Strategic Priorities Through Futures Thinking," led by Mr. Shermon O. Cruz, Chief Futurist and Executive Director of the Center for Engaged Foresight, wasn’t just a lecture—it was an intense, thought-provoking exercise in challenging our assumptions of the future of libraries. Mr. Shermon urged us to start being futurists. It was the perfect blend of strategic foresight and practical imagination.

We are leaving the venue tonight with pages of notes, a healthy dose of professional curiosity, and a renewed drive to shape what's next. As Mr. Shermon said, “May the future be kind to us.” ⏭️

After the awarding of certificates, the delegates gathered at the Henry Sy Sr. Hall grounds for a photo opportunity to commemorate the day. 📷

One more day to go—let's make it count! ☝️

De La Salle University De La Salle University Libraries

📢 We are into the 2nd day of the conference, anchoring our discussions on this year’s vital theme: “The Future is Plural: Shaping and Designing the Future of ASEAN Libraries.” 🌐✨

Our delegates gathered at the Pardo Hall (5th floor, Henry Sy Sr. Hall) for the most awaited business meeting. Today marked a significant milestone for the delegates as we facilitated the official turnover of the AUN Secretariat—a moment of deep gratitude for past leadership and exciting anticipation for what's next. This included the ceremonial turnover of the AUN flag from Philippines to Indonesia as the next AUNILO host country. 🇵🇭🇮🇩

🤝 While the morning focuses on strategic governance and regional alignment, the afternoon is all about action, design thinking, and shared ideas.

▶️ Ongoing is a thought provoking workshop on “Designing the Future Today: Aligning Strategic Priorities Through Futures Thinking,” led by an expert, Mr. Shermon O. Cruz, Chief Futurist and Executive Director of the Center for Engaged Foresight.

Let’s work on the future, together. 🤝

DAY 1 RECAP ✨

We kicked off the three-day journey with an insightful series of Country Reports, during which delegates shared their triumphs, challenges, and visions for the future of academic libraries. The collaborative energy in the room was absolutely palpable.

🏛️ Following the reports is the DLSU library tour and exhibit, which showed the university's collections and digital initiatives to life in a whole new way.

To commemorate this beautiful gathering of minds, the delegates gathered at the iconic St. La Salle facade for a group photo—a moment, and a memory, we will cherish for years to come. 📸

🏰 We concluded the evening by inviting the guests to the historic Walled City of Intramuros for a warm welcome dinner at Illustrado. Surrounded by the rich culture and history of Manila, it was the perfect place to deepen our connections and celebrate our shared mission.

Thank you to all the delegates for your energy, insights, and camaraderie. ✨

MORNING RECAP: The 21st AUNILO Business Meeting and Workshop is officially open! 🌐✨

"Mabuhay!" (A traditional Filipino greeting meaning "Long live," wishing you life, health, and welcome!) 🇵🇭✨

We are live from De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines, where delegates from the AUNILO: Libraries of ASEAN University Network have gathered for Day 1 of this landmark event, led by Dr. Rochelle Irene G. Lucas, Professor, Department of English and Applied Linguistics, Br. Andrew Gonzalez College of Education.

This year’s theme is “The Future is Plural: Shaping and Designing the Future of ASEAN Libraries.” The event officially opened with a remarkable speech from our Provost, Dr. Robert C. Roleda, followed by warm welcome remarks from our Director of Libraries, Ms. Marian R. Eclevia.

Today's keynote was delivered by Dr. Raymond Girard R. Tan, sparking crucial dialogues on how we can collaboratively redefine learning spaces, embrace emerging technologies, and champion inclusivity across our networks. The energy in the room is incredible as we move from being keepers of knowledge to active architects of the future.

To all our delegates: Welcome to Manila! Let’s inspire, innovate, and co-design the future, together.

👇 To our community online: What do you think is the most critical shift academic libraries need to make for the future? Let us know in the comments!

De La Salle University
De La Salle University Libraries

Tomorrow, library leaders and information professionals of the ASEAN University Network will gather at De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines, for the 21st AUNILO Business Meeting and Workshop.

This year, we are diving deep into the theme: “The Future is Plural: Shaping and Designing the Future of ASEAN Libraries.”

As technology, community needs, and information landscapes evolve, ASEAN libraries are no longer just repositories of knowledge—we are dynamic architects of the future. Over the next three days (May 19–21), the Libraries of ASEAN University Network (AUNILO) community will collaborate, engage, exchange insights, and shape the future of libraries toward a more inclusive, interconnected, and resilient library ecosystem.

We are excited to welcome our fellow ASEAN delegates to Manila. Let’s shape and design the future, together. 🌐📚

✨ Follow our page for live updates, key takeaways, and behind-the-scenes moments throughout the event!

De La Salle University Libraries

How is the digital revolution transforming the educational landscape? How can librarians leverage MOOCs, OERs, and micro-credentials to enhance learning outcomes? Join us at MindSHIFT at to hear the answers from our keynote speaker!

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Dr. Cham Tat Huei is an Associate Professor and Deputy Dean at UCSI Graduate Business School, UCSI University, Malaysia. He is also a Visiting Professor for Tashkent State University of Economics (Uzbekistan) and IQRA University (Pakistan). His research interests focus mainly on marketing, consumer behaviour, business management, tourism and hospitality, service marketing, service industry strategy and operations, technology management, and organizational behaviour.

Register now at go.ateneo.edu/9RLICRegistration.

For other details, please visit the conference website at go.ateneo.edu/9RLIC.

Stay connected for updates! Join the discussion using the hashtag .

What can we do to fight fake news, not only in relation to the work we do, but also in our personal lives? Join us at MindSHIFT at to hear the answers from our keynote speaker!

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Alfonso Tomas “Atom” Araullo is a multidisciplinary journalist and documentarist, currently hosting GMA Network's "The Atom Araullo Specials" and co-hosting I-Witness, the Philippines' most awarded and longest-running documentary program. He also anchors Stand For Truth, a pioneering mobile journalism newscast. With previous experience at ABS-CBN Integrated News, he serves as the National Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR.

Register now at go.ateneo.edu/9RLICRegistration.

For other details, please visit the conference website at go.ateneo.edu/9RLIC.

Stay connected for updates! Join the discussion using the hashtag .

How do we separate the hype about artificial intelligence (AI) from the facts? How do we ensure that libraries are positioned to benefit from the potential of AI? Join us at MindSHIFT at to hear the answers from our keynote speaker!

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Shameem Nilofar Maideen is currently University Librarian at Singapore Management University, Singapore. She is a computer science engineer by training and worked in the IT industry for over 10 years before obtaining her post-graduate degree in library and information science. Since then, she has held various portfolios and has been a key driving force behind numerous initiatives that have transformed SMU Libraries into a dynamic and active partner in the learning and research process, as well as a cutting-edge collaborative learning space, while expanding its digital-first collection and services.

Register now at go.ateneo.edu/9RLICRegistration.

For other details, please visit the conference website at go.ateneo.edu/9RLIC.

Stay connected for updates! Join the discussion using the hashtag .