The UP Asian Center will host the third installment of MCM Santamaria Book Collection Library Talks, "Exploring Japan Through the MCM Santamaria Collection: Selected Works on and from Japan," on 24 April 2026, 2 PM to 4 PM (GMT+8), at the Seminar Room, Second Floor of the Hall of Wisdom, Asian Center, UP Diliman. The event is open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to register online.
ABOUT THE BOOK COLLECTION
Last June 2025, the Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman, formally introduced and turned over the Matthew Constancio Santamaria (MCM) book collection to the Asian Center Library. It featured a special mini-exhibition of selected books from the collection. In its second installment, we explored the concept of rarity in books, aiming to broaden the audience’s understanding, showing that rarity is not only about the scarcity of surviving copies, but also about a book’s unique ability to provoke deeper thought compared to others.
The third installment of the MCM LBook Collection Library Talks will focus on Japan-related and Japanese-written books included in the Collection. Together with Dr. Karl Ian Cheng-Chua, this discussion seeks to highlight selected materials in the collection that deal with various aspects of Japan, including its history, culture, society, politics, and intellectual traditions, as well as works authored and published in the Japanese language. Through this talk, participants will be introduced to notable titles and themes represented in the collection, providing insight into how Japan has been studied, interpreted, and documented in both local and international scholarship. The session also aims to draw attention to the richness and research value of the Collection, encouraging students and researchers to further explore these resources for their academic work and interests.
Researchers and visitors have the opportunity to view these rare materials at the Asian Center Library. All books from the MCM collection will be strictly designated for "Room Use Only" and cannot be borrowed or taken out of the library.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
MATTHEW M. SANTAMARIA, Doctor of Law
Professor, Asian Center, UP Diliman
Dr. Matthew Santamaria is a Professor at the Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman, where he shares his expertise in Japanese politics, culture, and society. He earned his Doctor of Law and Master of Law in Political Science from the Graduate School of Law at Kyoto University, Japan, and holds a Master in International Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of the Philippines Diliman. Dr. Santamaria's academic journey reflects a profound commitment to understanding the political and cultural dynamics of Japan and Southeast Asia.
Specializing in politics, performance studies, and the cultures of Japan and Southeast Asia, Dr. Santamaria has made significant contributions to these fields through both scholarship research and creative pursuits. His research interests include Sama-Bajau studies and Philippine culture, with notable publications such as "Pag-jamu Boheh Deya: Interrogating 'Property' in the Sama Tabawan Music and Dance Ritual of the Sacred Well." Beyond academia, he co-directed and choreographed Tanghalang Ateneo's "Sintang Dalisay," showcasing his dedication to integrating performance art with cultural studies. In recognition of his artistic achievements, Dr. Santamaria was appointed as a UP Artist, underscoring his dual impact as a scholar and artist.
KARL IAN CHENG CHUA, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, UP Asian Center
Karl Ian Cheng Chua, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor at the Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman. He served a Professorial Lecturer at the UP Asian Center. He has recently completed his posting as a visiting professor at the Graduate School of Social Sciences, Hitotsubashi University. He serves on the editorial boards of the East Asian Journal of Popular Culture, Comics Studies: Aesthetics, Histories, and Practices, and is Editor-in-Chief of Social Science Diliman.
