A year of Filipino heritage cultural exchange and academic achievement

A year of Filipino heritage cultural exchange and academic achievement

The Philippine Study Group (PSG) at York University was joined by Deputy Consul General Kerwin Tate and Consul Rodney Jonas Sumague from the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto. (Photo submitted)

York University’s Philippine Studies Group:

December 1, 2023

By Leny Rose Simbre

York University’s Philippine Studies Group’s (PSG) held the culmination of its faculty and student research programs during its Year-End Celebration of Cultural Exchange and Achievement on Friday, December 1, 2023, at Room 280N, Second Floor, York Lanes.

PSG covers a variety of disciplines, including anthropology, dance, education, environmental studies, visual arts, law, human geography, and political science. Its research has been supported this year by a grant provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippine government, facilitated through the Consulate General of the Philippines in Toronto. The grant has enabled PSG to be a center for promoting Philippine Studies, Filipinx migration, diaspora studies, and fostering global connections.

Throughout the year, PSG’s initiatives included hosting a number of distinguished individuals, each contributing their knowledge and expertise on their respective fields to share them with the faculty, students, and the community.

Its inaugural event featured the artist-in-residency of Leo Lorilla and Pamela Corales from the world-renowned Bayanihan, The National Dance Company of the Philippines. Their residency included performances during the Department of Dance’s Annual Showcase, folk dances and choreographic workshops for the Filipino community, and educational tours at the Textile Museum of Canada and Dance Collection Danse.

Subsequently,  Dr. Kristian Karlo Saguin, a professor from the Department of Geography at the University of the Philippines delivered a lecture titled “Urban Ecologies on The Edge”, exploring urbanization through the lens of Metro Manila and Laguna Lake, drawing insights from his award-winning book that received the 2022 American Association of Geographers Meridian Book Award.

PSG included among its activities the hosting in York University of the visit of veteran journalist and news anchor Karmina Constantino, honored with the prestigious 2022 Marshall McLuhan Fellowship. Constantino delivered an engaging talk titled “Revisiting the Basics: The Role of the Journalist In Critical Public Discourse and in Seeking Accountability in a Post-Truth Era in the Philippines”.

PSG also organized the visit of respected activist, human rights lawyer and former Filipino legislator, Neri Colmenares, who delivered an enlightening and  thought-provoking talk on “Human Rights in the Philippines: Challenges and the Fight for a Democratic Future”.

Visiting multidisciplinary artist Leeroy New engaged the York faculty and students in his compelling artist talk titled “Outer Space Filipino Worker”, offering a unique perspective on art and identity.

Lastly, PSG hosted the lecture of ethnomusicologist and Philippine Studies Scholar, Dr. Ricardo Trimillos, a distinguished professor from the University of Hawai’i Manoa, who provided an enlightening lecture titled “Globalizing Filipino Songs, Bodies, and Sounds: Homeplace Beyond Homeland”.

The culminating event was attended by Consul General Angelica Escalona, Consul Rodney Jonas Sumague, and  Deputy Consul General Kerwin Tate.

The Philippine Studies Group, comprising faculty members and dedicated students at York University, remains engaged in unraveling various facets of the Philippines and its diasporas within its research pursuits. Faculty members include R. Patrick Alcedo, Lisa M. Davidson, Philip F. Kelly, Marissa Largo, Casey Mecija, and Ethel Tungohan. The student cohort includes Myla Chawla, Ria Jhoanna Ducusin, Dani Magsumbol, Kad Mariano, Geneviève Minville, Nikki Mary Pagaling, Romeo Joe Quintero, and Antoniel Roca.

For further inquiries about the Philippine Studies Group or its initiatives, please contact via email at philippinestudiesgroup@yorku.ca.