Wherever I am, the world comes after me.
It offers me its busyness. It does not believe that I do not want it.
Now I understand why the old poets of China went so far
and high into the mountains, then crept into the pale mist.
"The Old Poets of China" by Mary Oliver

CALL FOR STUDENT PRESENTERS | "Intersecting Horizons: Flows and Encounters in Philippine Borderlands" - An Onsite Academic Conference

Details
The UP Asian Center, with the support of the UP Diliman - Office of Initiatives for Culture and the Arts (OICA), is now accepting abstract submissions for the Onsite Academic Conference, “Intersecting Horizons: Flows and Encounters in Philippine Borderlands.” The deadline for submission is extended until 16 February 2026, Monday (Manila Time). The conference is open to all undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students in the Philippines. Participation in the conference is FREE.

ABOUT THE THEME OF THE CONFERENCE

This conference focuses on cultural encounters and the flows of ideas and goods across and within the Philippine borderlands. It highlights the dynamic, sometimes contested, spaces where diverse cultures intersect and interact, and which have historically produced hybrid and cosmopolitan societies. This conference highlights various Philippine borderlands: the northern (bordering Taiwan), southwestern (bordering Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia), and southern regions (bordering Indonesia). 

      1. What historical processes led to the making of these regions as "borderlands?"
      2. How do these borderlands serve as conduits for transnational flows of goods, ideas, and people?
      3. How are state- produced "marginalities" reflected in their current political and cultural landscapes?
      4. How are these different Philippine borderlands similarly or differently entangled in international geopolitical affairs?

As part of the 2026 Arts and Culture Festival of the UP Diliman Office of Initiatives for Culture and the Arts, the conference, in line with the festival theme “Isang Unibersidad para sa inklusibo at mapagkalingang lipunan,” we seek to recognize the multifaceted dimensions of the Philippine borderlands with an emphasis on the marginalization faced by communities and spaces intersected by the Philippine borders. This also recognizes the multidisciplinary requirements for undertaking a deeper analysis of Philippine borderlands. As such, this conference seeks cooperation and recognizes the importance of arts and humanities, social sciences, and the natural sciences in understanding these spaces. 

ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

      • Must be currently enrolled in a BA/BS or an MA/MS/Ph.D. program in a Philippine university
      • Must be able to attend the dialogue and present onsite on 26 February 2026 at the Asian Center, UP Diliman

 SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

      • The abstract submission must be written in English or Filipino, not exceeding 200 words. It should outline the scope, objectives, methods, and findings of the paper.
      • Submissions must be  unpublished.
      • Submissions must use the latest APA reference style.
      • The deadline for submission is extended until 16 February 2026, Monday (Manila Time). Results will be released on or before 16 February 2026 through email. Additional guidelines will be sent to qualified proposals.
      • Selected presenters must be able to attend and participate in the conference on 26 February 2026 at the Asian Center, UP Diliman. 

ABOUT THE ORGANIZER

This conference is organized by the UP Asian Center with the support of the UP Diliman - Office of Initiatives for Culture and the Arts (OICA). This activity is part of the 2026 Arts and Culture Festival of the University of the Philippines Diliman with the theme, "Isang Unibersidad para sa Inklusibo at Mapagkalingang Lipunan" this February 2026.  View the activities lined up for the festival!

For inquiries, please contact us at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 891-8500 loc. 3586.
The Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman offers M.A. degrees in Asian Studies with four fields of specialization: Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and West Asia. The UP Asian Center also has an M.A. program in Philippine Studies that allows students to major in Philippine society and culture, Philippine foreign relations, or Philippine development studies. It also offers a Ph.D. program in Philippine Studies in conjunction with the College of Arts and Letters and the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy. For an overview of these graduate programs, click here. As an area studies institution, the Asian Center also publishes Asian Studies: Journal of Critical Perspectives on Asia, the latest issue of which can be downloaded at the journal's website.