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

Twenty-two MA graduates and four newly minted PhDs took part in "Aning Tagumpay, Salaysay ng Alay," the 2019 Recognition Day held on 30 June 2019 at the GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center, Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman.

Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso was Guest of Honor and Mr. Yonaha and Ms. Boquiren delivered the response of the MA and PhD graduates, respectively. The Master in Asian Studies and Master in Philippine Studies programs refers to the non-thesis track of our graduate programs.

Master of Arts in Asian Studies

Bajo, Ann

"The Bangsamoro Project: The Role of Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei in the Mindanao Peace Process"

Manalo, Marvie

"Perceiving Patriotism: China’s Patriotic Education Campaign and Insights for Philippine Education"

Uyseco, Wayne

"Identities, Issues, and Interactions in Southeast Asian Facebook Groups and Its Effects"


Master of Arts in Philippine Studies

Cabigas - Sy, Charmielyn

"Agritourism: Transforming Farmers and Changing Communities"

Claudio, Ivy

"The Role of Philippine NGOs in International Disaster Risk Reduction Regime"

Cortez, Danilo, Jr

“ASEAN Intra Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) 2012-2016: The Philippine Case”

Garchitorena, AJ

“Cubao Expo, the Hub in Escolta, Salcedo Art in the Park: Examining Three Art Retail Spaces in Metro Manila as Sites of the Creation of Distinction in the Philippines”

Lim, Amihan

“Contemporary Piña: Exploring Development and Social Change through the Work of Three Actor Innovators”

Lucas, Jerome

“Social Media, Filipino Youth, and Political Participation: An Exploration of University Students’ Political Actions during the 2016 Philippine Election”

Yonaha, Yvan Ysmael

“Participation from Below: Typologies and Comparisons of the Local Development Council Planning Process among the Cities and Municipalities of Bulacan”


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Master in Asian Studies*

• Crisostomo, Marielle
• Dailo, Alain
• Kamlian, Al-Qatar
• Mandrilla, Kevin
• Ramirez, Rosie
• Ramirez, Jainah
• Rocillo, Cris
• Turingan, Gil D


Master in Philippine Studies*

• Baclig, Eugene
• Delos Santos, Maricris
• Guieb, Elisor Jr.
• Soriano, Marvin


PhD in Philippine Studies

Boquiren, Laya

“The Mandukit of Sta. Ursula, Betis Pampanga: Carving Sacred Images, Negotiating Heritage”

Lozada, Dave III

“The Fourth Horseman: Infectious Diseases and the Philippine American War”

Malabanan, Joel

“Pagtatahip-dunong: Pagsusuri ng mga Awit ng mga Kilusang Bayan sa Kalakhang Maynila mula 1986 hanggang 2016 na Mabisang Magagamit sa Pagtuturo ng Kamalayang Bayan”

Villasanta, Felix

“Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa sa Mindanao (PRMM): The Pursuit of an Alternative Revolutionary Strategy”


The UP Asian Center offers M.A. degrees in Asian Studies with four fields of specialization: Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and West Asia. The 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. The Center 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. 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. For other news and upcoming events at the Asian Center, click here.