The UP Asian Center, with the support of the UP Diliman - Office of Initiatives for Culture and the Arts (OICA), is CALLING FOR PARTICIPANTS for the Onsite Academic Conference, “Intersecting Horizons: Flows and Encounters in Philippine Borderlands” on 26 February 2026, Thursday, 9 AM (Manila Time). The conference is FREE and open to the public. Food and conference materials will be provided but SLOTS ARE LIMITED.
ABOUT 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).
- What historical processes led to the making of these regions as "borderlands?"
- How do these borderlands serve as conduits for transnational flows of goods, ideas, and people?
- How are state- produced "marginalities" reflected in their current political and cultural landscapes?
- 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.
ABOUT THE KEYNOTE PANEL
MARK ALEXANDER C. DIZON, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Ateneo de Manila University
Dr. Mark Dizon is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at Ateneo de Manila University, where he specializes in early modern cross-cultural encounters, empires, borderlands, and historical mobilities. Drawing on extensive archival research, his work explores how people, ideas, and maps shaped colonial encounters and identities in the Spanish Philippines and beyond, with publications in peer-reviewed journals such as Colonial Latin American Review and Itinerario. His scholarship contributes to a deeper understanding of historical interconnectedness and the dynamics of imperial frontiers, advancing both academic knowledge and broader discussions on peace, justice, and strong institutions in line with global development goals. Outside of teaching and research, Dr. Dizon actively engages in scholarly discourse through conference presentations and collaborative projects that bridge local and global historical perspectives.
JOEFE B. SANTARITA, Ph.D.
Professor, Asian Center, UP Diliman
Dr. Joefe B. Santarita is a Professor at the Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman. He earned his Ph.D. in South Asian Studies from the National University of Singapore in 2012, following an M.A. in Asian Studies with a focus on Southeast Asia from the same institution in 2004. Dr. Santarita began his academic journey with a B.A. in History-Community Development from the University of the Philippines in the Visayas in 1997. His extensive educational background has equipped him with a profound understanding of Asian cultures, histories, and political economies. Dr. Santarita has made significant contributions to these fields through his research and publications specializing in Indian studies, migration studies, Philippine culture and society, maritime history, and Southeast Asian political economy.
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!