DLSU Department of International Studies

🌏 When Sanctions Backfire: Dr. Elaine Tolentino on China’s Recent Move Against the Philippines 🇵🇭 🇨🇳

The DIS proudly highlights the latest commentary authored by Dr. Elaine Tolentino, Associate Professor and the DLSU Charles Lui Chi-Keung Distinguished Professorial Chair in China Studies, published in the online academic magazine Think China.

In her piece, “Beijing’s sanctions only strengthened the Philippine defence chief,” Dr. Tolentino examines how China’s sanctions against Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. may have produced the opposite of their intended effect, reinforcing domestic support for Manila’s position amid continuing tensions in the South China Sea.

Her commentary offers timely insights into the evolving dynamics of China–Philippines relations and the broader strategic challenges shaping the region today.

Read the article through the link on the comments section below.

What We Study Shapes What We Remember

The Department of International Studies was honored to welcome The Refugee Archive as guest speakers in the Graduate Research Methods and ISCUHED classes of Ms. Alexia Sunaz.

The session explored how oral history, process tracing, and policy tracing can be used to document and analyze the lived experiences of vulnerable and displaced communities. By centering personal narratives alongside traditional research methods, students gained valuable insights into the human dimensions of migration, displacement, and humanitarian issues.

Thank you to The Refugee Archive for sharing their expertise and inspiring meaningful conversations on migration, displacement, and humanitarian issues.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DJSFzhuNi/?mibextid=wwXIfr

📢 CALL FOR PAPERS: Philippines-Japan Relations @70: Peace, Prosperity, and Possibilities 🇵🇭🇯🇵

As the Philippines and Japan commemorate 70 years of normalized diplomatic relations in 2026, the DLSU Department of International Studies, in collaboration with Embassy of Japan in the Philippines 在フィリピン日本国大使館 and The Japan Foundation, Manila, invites undergraduate and graduate students to submit paper proposals for a student conference examining the past, present, and future of one of the Philippines’ most significant international partnerships.

Under the theme “Philippines-Japan Relations @70: Peace, Prosperity, and Possibilities,” the conference welcomes research on topics such as diplomacy, security, economic cooperation, migration, culture, language, education, sustainability, regional affairs, and other dimensions of Philippines–Japan relations.

📝 Submission Requirements
Proposals (maximum 400 words) should include:
• Research problem and objectives
• Research design and methods
• Major findings or expected trends
• Tentative conclusions

📅 Submission Deadline: August 15, 2026
📩 Selected presenters will be notified in late August 2026.

🔗Resource links can be accessed in the comments section below.

📧 For inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Join us as we reflect on seven decades of friendship and explore new possibilities for Philippines–Japan relations in the years ahead!

📢 Chart your Next Course through the DIS Undergraduate Pre-Enlistment!📝

The DIS encourages all undergraduate students (including ID 126) to participate in an informal online pre-enlistment to help determine potential course offerings and section availability for the upcoming term.

Access the pre-enlistment form through the QR code below or through this GForm link: https://forms.gle/D7YRfSdEtZmwztn29

Deadline of pre-enlistment is on June 27, 2026 (Saturday), 8:00 PM.

Please note that this pre-enlistment is an informal survey and does not guarantee a slot, priority enlistment, or reserved enrollment status. However, your participation plays an important role in helping the Department plan courses that best meet student demand.

For inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

📌 Help us plan ahead—pre-enlist today!

The Organization for American Studies
European Studies Association - ESA DLSU
Nihon Kenkyuu Kai - 日本研究会
DLSU Southeast Asian Studies Organization

🇵🇭 A New Book on Philippine Reform Politics Has Arrived! 📚

The DIS proudly congratulates Prof. Julio Teehankee on the launch of his newly edited volume, “Interregnum: Philippine Progressive and Reform Politics in an Age of Authoritarian Nostalgia,” published through the collaboration of the DLSU-Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Philippines.

Bringing together analyses of 15 senatorial, local, and party-list campaigns from the 2025 Philippine midterm elections, the book offers timely insights into the evolving landscape of Philippine politics, democratic reform, and electoral contestation.

We celebrate this significant scholarly contribution and Prof. Teehankee’s continued leadership in advancing the study of Philippine political development!

Limited Public Viewing on 15 June 2025, 2:30-4:00 PM

The general public is invited to the opening of the exhibition From Java to Manila: Batik Terang Bulan as Living Heritage on 15 June 2026 from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM.

Public access is limited and advance registration is required.

📝 Register here: https://forms.gle/jXJADmKNvgWNTgBW6

Discover the beauty, history, and cultural significance of one of Indonesia's most distinctive batik traditions through a special exhibition.

Whether you are interested in art, history, heritage, fashion, or Southeast Asian culture, this is a unique opportunity to experience a living tradition that continues to connect communities across the region.

Slots are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

This exhibition is organized by Soendari Batik & Art, the Center for Economics, Humanities and Tourism (CEHT) and the Research Institute and Community Engagement (RICE) of Universitas Negeri Malang (UM-Indonesia), in partnership with The Museum at DLSU, the DLSU Southeast Asian Studies Organization (DLSU-SEASON), the DLSU Department of International Studies, and the DLSU Southeast Asia Research Center and Hub (DLSU-SEARCH).

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CFREVWmrK/

Limited Public Viewing on 15 June 2025, 2:30-4:00 PM

The general public is invited to the opening of the exhibition From Java to Manila: Batik Terang Bulan as Living Heritage on 15 June 2026 from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM.

Public access is limited and advance registration is required.

📝 Register here: https://forms.gle/jXJADmKNvgWNTgBW6

Discover the beauty, history, and cultural significance of one of Indonesia's most distinctive batik traditions through a special exhibition.

Whether you are interested in art, history, heritage, fashion, or Southeast Asian culture, this is a unique opportunity to experience a living tradition that continues to connect communities across the region.

Slots are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

This exhibition is organized by Soendari Batik & Art, the Center for Economics, Humanities and Tourism (CEHT) and the Research Institute and Community Engagement (RICE) of Universitas Negeri Malang (UM-Indonesia), in partnership with The Museum at DLSU, the DLSU Southeast Asian Studies Organization (DLSU-SEASON), the DLSU Department of International Studies, and the DLSU Southeast Asia Research Center and Hub (DLSU-SEARCH).

Join us tomorrow for an important conversation!

We invite you to Borders and Bodies: Gender and Q***r Identities in a Globalizing World, a roundtable that brings together critical perspectives on how gender and q***r identities are shaped, contested, and negotiated across borders in an increasingly interconnected world.

Here’s the lineup of speakers:

Erotic Nationalism and Affect: A Critical Examination of Desire, Nationhood, and Masculine Leadership
Dr. Susan Kurdli

Imagining Q***r Futures: Drag and Affective World-Making in the Philippines
Dr. Joseph Velasco

Masculinities, Morality, and Mobility:
Q***r Migration as Strategic Identity Negotiation for Filipino Q***rs in Thailand
Mr. Allan Solacito

One Year After: The Impact of USAID Withdrawal on the Philippine HIV and Sexual Rights Movement
Mr. Anastacio Marasigan Jr.

🌏🤝 Building bridges across oceans and strengthening global partnerships.

Last June 5, the Office of the Vice President for External Relations and Internationalization, in collaboration with the Department of International Studies, successfully hosted the forum "Across Oceans: France–Philippines Bilateral Relations" at The Verdure, Henry Sy Sr. Hall.

The event featured H.E. Marie Fontanel, Ambassador of the French Republic to the Philippines, who shared valuable insights on the enduring diplomatic ties, cooperation, and shared aspirations between France and the Philippines.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in this meaningful discussion on international relations, diplomacy, and global engagement.

Photo source: European Studies Association - ESA DLSU

📢 Call for Presenters: DIS Student Research Colloquium 2026 🌏

Have a research project, thesis, policy paper, or case study you're proud of? It's time to share your work with the DIS community!

The Department of International Studies invites undergraduate and graduate students to present at the inaugural DLSU DIS Student Research Colloquium 2026 , happening on 24 July 2026.

From diplomacy and security to migration, culture, political economy, and emerging global challenges, we welcome research that helps us better understand and shape the future of our interconnected world.

🎓 Open to DIS undergraduate students (ISJ, ISC, ISE, ISA, AB-SEA) and MA-IS students (Asian Studies and European Studies)

📅 Abstract Submission Deadline: July 4, 2026
📩 Notice of Acceptance: July 8, 2026
🗓️ Colloquium Date: July 24, 2026

Submit your research abstract here or scan the QR Code below:
🔗 https://forms.gle/T5EJ3hVPWERsA3mQ7

Whether you're exploring global governance, foreign policy, identity, migration, technology, security, or political economy, we encourage you to join the conversation and showcase the ideas that will help shape tomorrow's world.

For further inquiries, email us at [email protected]

🌏 Empowering Young Leaders by Building Voices for ASEAN’s Future 🎤

One of our junior faculty members, Mr. Allan Solacito, recently served as a resource speaker at the ASEAN Youth Organization’s APRO Skills Series: “Speak & Connect: Communication Skills for Young Leaders.”

The webinar brought together youth participants from across the region to strengthen essential communication and leadership skills, highlighting the importance of dialogue, confidence, and meaningful engagement in shaping the next generation of ASEAN leaders.

We are proud to see our DIS faculty contributing to youth empowerment and regional leadership development beyond the classroom!