The University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) invites everyone to the launch of the latest issue of its journal, the Review of Women’s Studies Volume XXXIV, Number 2, on 4 September 2025 (Thursday), 1:30 PM at the UPCWGS Conference Room.
Dear Survivor: A Study on Help-Seeking Behaviors and Community-Based Care Among Service Users and Volunteers of Lunas Collective by Sabrina Laya S. Gacad, Julie B. Jolo, Bernadine I. Lanot, and Nina V. Araos
God as the Wholly Other First Cause: A Feminist Reappraisal of God-Belief by Eula Junina M. Blanco
Measuring Indices for Women Empowerment and Deprivation in the Philippines: Trends and Comparisons Using DHS Data by John Carlo P. Daquis and Alliah Yvonne B. Bobier
The Cosmopolitical Consciousness of the Female Action Heroine in BuyBust and Her Disruption of Drug War Masculine Narratives, the Action Film Genre, and Filipino Martial Arts by Julie E. Prescott
Development of a Counseling Framework for Mothers of Children with Perinatally Acquired HIV Disease by Queenie Roxas-Ridulme and Paul Froilan U. Garma
Creative Works
Flores de Mayo ngan Iba pa nga mga Siday (Flores de Mayo and Other Poems) by Jessa A. Amarille
The 2026 Philippine Queer Studies Conference (PQSC) will be held on 24-26 April 2026 at the University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.
The 2026 PQSC takes movement as both a political act and a way of navigating the world. In this year’s theme, “Mobilizing Methodologies of Movements,” we meditate on methodologies that are not limited to academic inquiry. It includes our gestures of care, the strategies we develop in struggle, the ways we hold space, and the rhythms of our everyday resistance. To mobilize methodologies of movements is to recognize that knowledge is shaped not only by critique and confrontation, but also by affection, curiosity, play, and rest. It is to commit to moving forward with intention, grounded in the everyday and open to possibilities.
At its heart, this conference is an invitation amid growing pressures on queer and trans lives: to gather to move with care, to reflect with purpose, and to imagine liberatory futures together.
With that, participants of the conference can present their knowledge and skills rooted in research, creative work , and community work, as well as conduct workshops on topics related to LGBTQI Filipinos and their experiences. We encourage the sharing of lessons learned through various forms of knowledge: academic, literary, multimedia, performance, policy or project implementation and management, among many others.
Individual Presentations. These are 10-minute presentations. Individual presentations will be grouped into themed 1.5-hour sessions of three to four presentations and a 30-minute Q&A forum. For papers with multiple authors, assign an individual presenter.
Poster Presentations. This poster presentation queers research by disrupting the rigid, hierarchical structure of panel formats. It embraces a more open, interactive, and relational approach that invites one-on-one dialogue and sustained engagement beyond timed presentations.
Symposia. These are sessions that include three to four 10-minute presentations that revolve around a central theme. The sessions are 1.5-hour long that conclude with a 30-minute integrative discussion.
Workshops. These are 2-hour sessions led by community and professional organizations that teach participants new knowledge and skills related to LGBTQI experiences.
Art Exhibit. A curated space for visual and multimedia works that explore LGBTQI identities, experiences, and expressions. Open to various formats, the exhibit celebrates queer creativity, visibility, and storytelling.
UPLB Chancellor Jose V. Camacho, Jr. with the heads and staff of the GAD offices and OASH of the UP constituent universities on the first day of the UP System GAD Coordinating Committee Meeting at the Obdulla F. Sison Hall, UPLB [Photo by UPLB Gender Center]
The University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS), with the support of UP Los Baños (UPLB) through the UPLB Gender Center, conducted the UP System GAD Coordinating Committee Meeting on 29-30 July 2025 at the the Obdulla F. Sison Hall, UPLB to discuss the annual accomplishments and plans of the gender and development (GAD) offices and offices of anti-sexual harassment (OASH) of the UP constituent universities, as well as campus- and system-level issues and concerns that need to be addressed by the Committee.
UPCWGS officials and staff with the heads and staff of the GAD offices and OASH of the UP constituent universities on the first day of the UP System GAD Coordinating Committee Meeting at the Obdulla F. Sison Hall, UPLB [Photo by UPLB Gender Center]
The Review of Women’s Studies (RWS), a refereed journal published by the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS), invites submissions for a special issue on the theme “Gender, Media, and Development.”
This special issue seeks to critically engage with contemporary discussions, tensions, and trajectories in the following areas:
Gendered media representations, practices, and technologies; and
Feminist and queer activists’ reimagining and remaking of digital media as tools for resistance, advocacy, and transformative social change.
We encourage submissions that tackle experiences from the Philippines from the perspectives of feminist and queer media studies as well as feminist and queer digital activism.
As part of its celebration of this year’s Linggo ng Unibersidad from June 16 to 20, the University of the Philippines (UP) commended Viola Jo Ann G. Torres, who provides gender-sensitive psychosocial assistance and peer counseling at the UP Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS), during the Pagkilala sa Natatanging Paglilingkod ng Agency-Hired at ICS na Kawani on 19 June 2025 at the Malcolm Theater in UP Diliman. The event recognized the invaluable service and contributions of agency-hired personnel and individual contract of service (ICS) staff of the UP System Administration (UPSA).
Viola Jo Ann G Torres (third from right) of the UPCWGS with UP officials (from left to right), Dr. Richard S. Javier, Assistant Vice President for Administration (Human Resource Development); Atty. Marian L. Coquia-Regidor, Vice President for Public Affairs; Dr. Cynthia Grace C. Gregorio, UPCWGS OIC Deputy Director for Training, Outreach, and Extension; Atty. Angelo A. Jimenez, President; and Dr. Augustus C. Resurreccion, Vice President for Administration, during the Pagkilala sa Natatanging Paglilingkod ng Agency-Hired at ICS na Kawani on June 19 at the Malcolm Theater, Malcolm Hall, UP Diliman [Photo by Dr. Eloisa May P. Hernandez]
With the theme, “Ani at Alay: Paglilingkod at Pasidungog sa Bayan,” the weeklong celebration marks UP’s 117th Foundation Day on June 18 and recognizes outstanding individuals and institutions across the UP System who embody the values of UP of honor and excellence in service to the nation.
The University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) conducted a Gender Sensitivity Orientation on 16 June 2025 at the UP College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD) Audio-Visual Room for its incoming service learning students and interns from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, UP Diliman College of Arts and Letters (CAL) and College of Media and Communication (CMC), and Bulacan State University (BulSU). Resource persons were Gina Rose L. Chan and Bryon Neil A. Senga, both of the UPCWGS. The orientation aims to equip interns with a foundational understanding of gender sensitivity, ensuring they can recognize, respect, and promote gender equality and inclusivity in the workplace, thereby fostering a safe, respectful, and professional environment for all colleagues and clients during their internship experience. Internship period for this batch of students is from June to July 2025.
UPCWGS staff with the service learning students and interns from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, UP Diliman, and Bulacan State University at the gender sensitivity orientation on June 16
The University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS), in partnership with the UP Office of Athletics and Sports Development (OASD), organized three batches of the Mentoring Workshop for Coaches Coaching Women Varsity Athletes in UP Diliman on 30 April, 5 and 14 May 2025 at the UPCWGS Conference Room. Resource persons were Maria Beatriz N. Quintos of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center of the Philippines, Coach Andres Crisanto “Anto” S. Gonzales of the UP Women’s Football Team, Coach Maria Georgina “Marichi” Gandionco and Coach Jenny Rose Guerrero of the UP Varsity Swim Team, UPCWGS Fellow Dr. Eloisa May P. Hernandez and UPCWGS Director Dr. Marie Aubrey “Marby” J. Villaceran, and Dr. Teresa Paula “TP” S. De Luna and Prescilla D. Tulipat of the UP Diliman Office of Anti-Sexual Harassment (OASH). The workshops aims to foster gender-responsive coaching practices that recognize the unique needs, challenges, and strengths of women in sports.
The speakers and facilitators shared valuable insights and practical strategies for mentoring women athletes with care, respect, and a strong understanding of gender dynamics in the field of sports. From mental health and motivation to team dynamics and inclusive communication, the sessions provided a rich and safe space for reflection, dialogue, and professional growth.
UPCWGS officials and staff with the resource persons and participants of the Mentoring Workshop for Coaches Coaching Women Varsity Athletes in UP Diliman on April 30
In line with its commitment to fostering inclusive and gender-responsive volunteerism, the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) conducted a Gender Sensitivity Training on 10 June 2025 at the Student Union Building (SUB), UP Diliman for the UP System Ugnayan ng Pahinungod volunteer teachers (Gurong Pahinungod). Resource person was UPCWGS Fellow Julie B. Jolo, Assistant Professor at the Department of English and Comparative Literature, College of Arts and Letters, UP Diliman. This special session was held ahead of the Gurong Pahinungod’s scheduled deployment and was organized upon the request of the UP System Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, reflecting their strong dedication to meaningful, respectful, and inclusive community engagement.
Asst. Prof. Julie B. Jolo (sitting, second from right) with the UPCWGS staff and participants of the gender sensitivity training on June 10 at the Student Union Building
The University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS), in partnership with the UP System Human Resource Development Office (HRDO), organized the second batch of Balangaw: GAD Capacity Building Program for UP System Administration (UPSA) GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) Members on 26 and 30 May and 2 and 9 June 2025 at the UPCWGS Conference Room. Resource persons were UPCWGS Fellow Julie B. Jolo, Assistant Professor at the Department of English and Comparative Literature, College of Arts and Letters, UP Diliman and Ma. Gichelle A. Cruz, Member of the National Gender Resource Program of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW). This initiative aims to strengthen gender sensitivity, deepen knowledge of gender and development (GAD) principles, and empower UPSA GFPS members to be effective agents of gender mainstreaming across the UP System.
Ma. Gichelle A. Cruz (leftmost) with the UPCWGS officials and staff and the participants of Balangaw: GAD Capacity Building Program on June 2
The program’s name – Balangaw, the Filipino word for rainbow – symbolizes diversity, unity, and hope, echoing the essence of the GAD advocacy.
The University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) conducted a benchmarking activity with the Cavite State University (CvSU) regarding publication materials related to gender and development on 27 May 2025 at the UPCWGS Library. Guests from CvSU were Dr. Bernard S. Feranil, Director of the Center for Language Learning and Research (CELLAR); Dr. Racquel G. Agustin, Director of Extension Services; and Asst. Prof. King David J. Agreda, President of Men Opposed to Violence Against Women Everywhere-Kalalakihang Tapat sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya (MOVE-KATROPA) and Coordinator of the Gender and Development Resource Center.
Dr. Rowena A. Laguilles-Timog (third from right), Jasmine Cruz (second from right), and Adrienne L. Maguddayao (left) of the UPCWGS with (from left to right) Dr. Racquel G. Agustin, Dr. Bernard S. Feranil, and Asst. Prof. King David J. Agreda of CvSU at the benchmarking activity on May 27
