Faculty members from the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) participated in the 2025 Philippine Academic Consortium for Latin American Studies (PACLAS) Conference held at De La Salle University Dasmariñas on February 3-4, 2025. 

With the theme “Fiestas and Festivals in the Philippines and Latin America: Legacies in Consciousness and Community,” the sixth PACLAS conference attracted scholars from various universities nationwide. Supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of American Affairs, the event featured an online keynote address by Philippine Ambassador to Chile Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat, who underscored the socioeconomic and cultural significance of fiestas. Representatives from the embassies of Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina also shared insights on their countries’ festivals, drawing parallels with Philippine traditions.

UA&P’s History and Asia Pacific Studies Departments made significant contributions. Dr. Juan Mesquida described fiestas and festivals as a “gold mine for scholars.” Dr. Mary Josefti Nito examined the role of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria in shaping Mabitac, Laguna, in the seventeenth century. Mr. Jeremy Clemente analyzed 19th-century fiesta preparations in San Pedro Macati (present-day Makati City), revealing their intersection with economic and political factors. Ms. Juliana Odoño documented the pabalat or filigreed paper wrappers of Bulacan, emphasizing its cultural value.

From the Asia Pacific Studies Department, Dr. Elizabeth Urgel explored Iriga City’s Tinagba Festival, while Dr. Carmita Eliza Icasiano studied Bacolod’s Masskara Festival. Both highlighted the role of these events in fostering social solidarity, cultural heritage, and tourism.

The PACLAS conference served as a platform for continued interdisciplinary discussions, affirming fiestas as integral to cultural identity, community life, and transcendence beyond the everyday. Plans are underway to publish the research presented into an edited volume. 

The current PACLAS chair, UA&P, represented by Dr. Marya Svetlana Camacho, led the event in collaboration with De la Salle University Dasmariñas as host and the University of Santo Tomas that headed the secretariat.

UA&P Vice President for Faculty Affairs Dr. Marya Svetlana T. Camacho (center) receives the Certificate of Appreciation from Dr. Christian George Francisco of DLSU Dasmariñas, VP for Global Engagement and External Relations and co-chair of the conference, and Dr. Belen Lorezca-Tangco, UST professor and head of the conference secretariat.

Dr. Christian George Francisco, co-chair of the conference (seated, rightmost) with the participants from the College and Arts and Sciences of UA&P: (seated, from left) Ms. Juliana Odoño, CAS Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs Dr. Ma. Concepcion Lagos, Dr. Elizabeth Urgel, UA&P Vice President  for Faculty Affairs Dr. Marya Svetlana Camacho, Asia Pacific Studies Department Chair Dr. Philip Michael Paje, and Dr. Juan Mesquida; (standing, from left) Ms. Danielle Calantuan-Mejos, Dr. Carmita Eliza Icasiano, History Department Chair Dr. Mary Josefti Nito, Mr. Jeremy Clemente, and Ms. Zarah Villanueva.