Diliman, Quezon City – Marinduque State University (MarSU) students from the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) attended the Japanese Studies Research Development at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. BA English Language Studies major, Ms. Maria Luisa Lumanog, Ms Joedelyn Grace Linga and Ezra Cruzado were accompanied by Ms. Cristina S. Atienza (CASS R&E Coordinator) on October 10-12, 2024.

During the first day, Dr. Maria Dulce Natividad gave the welcome remarks then Dr. Jocelyn Celero provided the writeshop overview. Dr. Karl Ian Cheng Chua introduced the participants and keynote Speaker, Dr. Henrdik Meyer-Ohle from Meiji Gakuin University. The following day, the Dr. Celero had a lecture on how to write abstracts and research presentations and feedback ensued. MarSU students Ms Lumanog presented “Tubong and Omotenashi: a comparative analysis of hospitality and cultural expression” while Ms. Linga shared “Tradition and Modernity: a comparative perspective of adaptations of Japan’s Tanabata and Marinduque’s Tubong.”

The last day, Dr. Chua delivered a lecture about how to write a publishable Japan research before Ms. Cruzado presented “Bridging Cultures: The tubong/ putong of Marinduque Philippine and Ikebana of Japan – exploring symbolic traditions.” Also on day 3, Dr. MCM Santamaria imparted Kogane No Hana: Okinawan Dekasegi and Collective Values as portrayed in songs.”

The proposed topics would be developed into chapters 1 to 3 of the undergraduate thesis in BAELS introduction, review of related literature and methodology. The MarSU students are under the mentorship of Dr. Randy Nobleza, a proponent of the “Marinduque’s Triannale and Intangible Cultural Heritage Trifecta: Moryonan, Tubong and Kalutang.”

(RT Nobleza/Island Innovation Representative)

(Photos by UP Diliman Asian Center)