Dr. Yu takes home with him the Best Research Presentation Award, along with a fountain of pride and inspiration for the Language and Literature Department of the College of Arts and Sciences and the University of Southeastern Philippines, as he yet again advocated for indigeneity, this time at NAKEM 2024.
The National Alliance for Knowledge, Empowerment, and Meaning (NAKEM) held its 2024 International Research Conference with the theme “Reframing Indigeneity and Affirming Belonging, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity” at Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur on July 17 – 19, 2024. Papers fitting the theme written by educators, researchers, and advocates from different, respectable backgrounds were submitted and presented to the conference with a collective aim to foster inclusive academic communities and discuss issues that further set back the uplifting of indigeneity in the Philippines. Cultural performances were also showcased, which further illuminated the cause of NAKEM 2024 with their diverse beauty and richness.
NAKEM is an arts, culture, and humanities nonprofit organization driven by educational purposes. It has hosted/co-hosted international research conferences worldwide to advance the plethora of knowledge in cultural, linguistic, artistic, and literary heritages of all peoples in the Philippines by creating meaningful and critical discourses together with academics, cultural workers, researchers, writers, and education leaders. Nakem is also an Ilokano term meaning conscience, inner being, soulfulness, and will. The NAKEM International Conference was founded by a multi-awarded literary scholar, Dr. Aurelio Agcaoili, Associate Professor of Indo-Pacific Languages and Literatures at the University of Hawaii, Manoa, United States of America.
Two faculty members from the Language and Literature Department of the College of Arts and Sciences attended the NAKEM 2024. Dr. Angelo Lenard E. Yu, Program Head of the Master of Arts in Literature, and Ms. Josephine May Grace A. Famoso, Extension Head of the College of Arts and Sciences, presented their papers and participated in the discussions covering the theme of the international conference.
Dr. Angelo Lenard Yu, Associate Professor of Literary and Cultural Studies, has long since dedicated himself to the ontological, epistemological, and axiological understanding of Mindanao indigeneity, immersing himself as one of the many echoing voices of Indigenous Peoples through his research presentations, publications, and education reach. His ever-growing academic contributions and teachings plant a persevering seed amongst his listeners, especially his students, that will grow to facilitate and serve in the Indigenous Peoples movement against various forms of marginalization, discrimination, and oppression. His dedication this time proves itself through his paper titled “Resistance to Capitalism: The Burden of Green Revolution to Matigsalug Farmlands.” Dr. Yu continues to be a light in academia, participating in extension projects to facilitate Indigenous Peoples quest for self-determination, autonomy, and identity- a hand held out to their efforts of resistance, reclaiming, and rediscovering.
Dr. Yu was accompanied by Ms. Josephine May Grace A. Famoso, Assistant Professor of Literature, at the international conference. She provided valuable insights into the comprehensive understanding of Marxist, Feminist, Postcolonial, and Cultural discourses in Philippine literature through her research presentations and publications. Her continuous pursuit of excellence in these fields of interest paves way for her students to engage in academic conversations about the Filipino sense of identity and nation-building. Her deathless commitment is once again shown light through her paper titled “Lessons Not Learned: A Postcolonial Critique of Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere” presented at the conference. As an extension services advocate, Ms. Famoso continues to be the catalyst of change in this fast-changing and ever-turning society.
The unceasing and consistent involvement of faculty and students from the Language and Literature Department in different conferences and other academic and research spaces contributes to the College’s research, development, and extension goals. The research presentations by Associate Professor Dr. Angelo Lenard E. Yu and Assistant Professor Josephine May Grace A. Famoso demonstrate and exemplify their dedication to promoting language and literature research in academia, extending the reach of education beyond the walls of a university and manifesting through service towards Filipino communities.
Article written by Cale Lacaran Dela Torre, 2nd year BALCS
Photos taken by Mary Queene Vel R. Fraga, MALIT Alumna
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