Honorary Fellows help the PRLS team in providing scholarly reviews on legislative measures based on their expertise or specialization. They are pre-selected and by invitation only. The distinguished fellows, in alphabetical order, are:
Abdul Haiy A. Sali is a proud Muslim and was born and raised in Basilan. He is both a licensed nurse and a licensed professional teacher. He has been working in the education and development sector for almost ten years with grassroots experiences as legislative fellow, nurse specialist, college instructor, public school teacher, and community trainer. At present, he is a Senior Education Program Specialist at the Department of Education. He finished a course in Public Policy Development and Advocacy at the University of the Philippines-National College of Public Administration and Governance. Also, he completed another course for Developmental Managers in Bridging Leadership at the Asian Institute of Management. He likewise holds a master’s degree in Public Administration in Organization and Management. Recently, he completed his Master of Arts in Education with specialization in Curriculum and Instruction at the National Center for Teacher Education, Philippine Normal University in Manila. He is a published author in reputable academic journals, including those indexed in Scopus. He also serves as an international editor and a reviewer in Q1 Journal on Islamic Studies. Abdul Haiy is an invited resource speaker in national and international teacher training in research. His research focuses on pedagogic theory, curriculum theory, inclusive education, comparative education, public policy, and madrasah education. He is interested to provide legislative reviews on Community Health, Health Disparities, Social Health, Basic and Tertiary Education, Madrasah Education, and Teacher Education and Development.
Almahdi “Aldean” Alonto has worked with the various international humanitarian agencies, non-governmental organisations and government agencies. He has served as Special Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Extension and was Assistant Professor IV of history department at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City. Mr. Alonto obtained his M.A Degree in Conflict Resolution at the University of the Bradford as Chevening Scholar under the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office sponsorship and was a recipient of Oxford Muntada fellowship at the University of Oxford Islamic Studies. He holds M.A. in Asian Studies at the University of the Philippines, Diliman where he also finished his B.A in History. In addition, he has delivered a lecture on “Understanding the Dynamics of Conflict: A Case Study of Mindanao” at the Northern Illinois University Inter-ethnic Dialogue and Conflict Resolution and co-authored an article on “Intra-faith Dialogue: The Missing Link in inter-faith Dialogue” published by Chicago State University in 2007. Former lecturer at the De La Salle University History Department and taught in Libya for 9 years at the University of Misurata, Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Education. He is currently an Associate Professor at the History Department, of MSU main campus.
Anna Marie Sibayan-Sarmiento is an associate professor of Spanish at the Department of European Languages in the University of the Philippines Diliman. She obtained her PhD in Didactics of Language and Literature and her MA in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language from the University of Barcelona. She has mainly published on adult foreign language acquisition and has recently taken interest in child language acquisition, translanguaging phenomena, language inequality, and the teaching of foreign languages in postcolonial contexts. She is currently the local co-promoter of “Strengthening Digital Research at the University of the Philippines System: Digitization of Rare Philippine Newspapers and Magazines (1850-1945) and Training in Digital Humanities” a VLIRUOS-funded joint project of the University of the Philippines Diliman and the University of Antwerp.
Ariel C. Lopez is Assistant Professor at the Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman. He obtained graduate and undergraduate degrees from Leiden University, The Netherlands. His research interest is on the intersection of religion, politics, and trade during the colonial period in Indonesia and the Philippines. He has a particular interest on the political histories of Sulu and Maguindanao sultanates during the early modern and colonial period as well as their connections with the wider Malay-Indonesian world. His dissertation is entitled “Conversion and Colonialism: Islam and Christianity in North Sulawesi, c. 1700-1900”. He has published several articles on the early history of Maguindanao sultanate. He is also a member of the international research project entitled “Imperial Expansion and Intercultural Diplomacy: Treaty-making in Southeast Asia, c. 1750-1920” funded by the Swedish Research Council (2022-2028). He may be contacted via: aclopez2@up.edu.ph.
Arlyne C. Marasigan is the director of Graduate Research Office (GResO) and an assistant professor at the Philippine Normal University-Manila. She holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy major in Comparative Education from Beijing Normal University under Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC). Also, she completed academic requirement in PhD in Philippines Studies at the University of the Philippines-Diliman. She obtained her Master of Arts in Education major in Chemistry at the University of the Philippines-Diliman and her Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Chemistry, under Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Scholarship, graduated Cum Laude from Philippine Normal University-Manila. Dr. Marasigan has several international collaboration and expertise from different disciplines including Chemistry, Science Education, Teacher Education, Curriculum Studies, and Comparative Education. Her research interest focuses on Education for Sustainability such as Sustainable Development, Environmental Sustainability (ESD), Ecofeminism, Rural Education, Green Chemistry, and Madrasah Education.
Assad L. Abdullah Baunto is a respected economist having worked on the policy nexus of development and conflict for 18 years. He served as the Assistant Regional Director of Regional Planning and Development in the ARMM in 2017 until the political transition, and with various local government units and international organizations previously. Assad was a research fellow in monetary and financial economics at Laboratoire d’Analyse et de Prospective Économique in France in 2007. He studied economics with specialization in industry and technology, and economics of education at the University of Oxford (2005), and at University of the Philippines (2002, 2001, and 1998).
Brian U. Doce has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science (University of Santo Tomas, Manila) and a master’s degree in International Relations (Jilin University, China). He is currently serving as the Public Policy and Research Manager of Universalis Inc., a politico-business consultancy firm located in Quezon City that specializes in strategic communications and government affairs services. Prior to his current position, he performed consular and diplomatic functions as he was previously affiliated with the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) – the Philippine representative office in Taiwan. During his two-year stint in MECO, he obtained experience in public diplomacy, consular affairs, and bilateral education cooperation. Alongside his full-time consultancy work, he is currently serving as a part-time lecturer to undergraduate and graduate students of the International Studies Department of De La Salle University (DLSU) and the Political Economy Program of the University of Asia & the Pacific (UA&P). He also previously performed adjunct faculty duties in the University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, and Adamson University. Throughout his teaching career, he taught courses under the disciplines of Political Science, International Studies, Development Studies, and Economics. He is a Trustee and Steering Committee member of the Philippine International Studies Organization. In terms of his research track, Brian is currently doing research in a wide range of topics such as but not limited to harmonization of international halal standards, political economy of regulation and trade policies, politics and religion, interfaith dialogue, international educational cooperation, sister-city partnerships, and public diplomacy strategies.
Dante B. Gatmaytan, professor at UP College of Law, teaches Constitutional Law, Legal Method, and Local Government Law. Before he entered the academe in 1998, he practiced law through public interest law offices working with rural poor communities involved in environment and natural resources law, indigenous peoples’ rights, agrarian reform, and local governance. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from the Ateneo de Manila (B.S. Legal Management) in 1987 and a law degree (LL.B.) from the University of the Philippines in 1991. He holds Masters Degrees from Vermont Law School (cum laude) and the University of California, Los Angeles. Professor Gatmaytan writes on a wide range of issues which include the environment, gender, the judiciary, and the intersection of law and politics. His works have appeared in the Asian Journal of Comparative Law, the Oregon Review of International Law, the UCLA Pacific Basin Law Journal, the Georgetown International Environmental Law Review, and the Harvard Women’s Law Journal among others. His primary research interests are concentrated on constitutional amendments, the interaction of law and politics, and comparative constitutionalism. Professor Gatmaytan’s books include Legal Method Essentials, Local Government Law and Jurisprudence, and Constitutional Law in the Philippines: Government Structure (published by Lexis-Nexis in 2015). His scholarship is collected in More Equal than Others: Constitutional Law and Politics, and Underclass: Public Interest Law Practice Perspectives. He served as the head of the Information and Publication Division of the UP Law Center from 2013-2018 and is presently Director of the Institute for the Administration of Justice.
Darwin Absari is a former Student Regent of the Mindanao State University System. He is a native of Sulu, born and raised in Tawi-Tawi. He obtained his undergraduate degree AB in Political Science at the Mindanao State University in Tawi-Tawi in 2004 with University System Leadership Award. In 2013, he finished his M.A. in Islamic Studies at the Institute of Islamic Studies in the University of the Philippines in Diliman. His M.A. Thesis PAG-TUHAN: Tausug Spiritual Tradition was a recipient of the 2015 National Book Development Thrust Fund and is now at UP press for publication into a book form. Currently he is an assistant professor at the UP Institute of Islamic Studies teaching Islamic Thought, Legacies of Islamic Civilization and Moro History, Society and Culture. His other research interests include Pre-Hispanic Philippine History, Islam in Southeast Asia and many others. As expert on Moro history, society and culture, Mr. Absari can help provide legislative reviews on conflict resolution, community development as well as educational, economic and leadership development in BARMM.
Erickson Calata is an Assistant Professor in Political Science and International Studies at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines. He’s co-founder of the Philippine International Studies Organization (PHISO) and works as a member of the Board of Trustees since 2015. He finished his Masters in Public Administration at the University of Makati and earned some units in PhD in Philippine Studies major in Foreign Relations at the Asian Center, University of the Philippines. He has taken short courses on public policy analysis and decentralization. In 2016, he was awarded as one of the winners in the International Writing Competition on Best Practices of Local Governments by International Association for Local Governments (IALG) and Khon Kaen University in Thailand. He has published on issues of Philippine politics and governance especially on social trust, citizen participation, people’s planning, and informal setting. Currently, his research interest revolves around nations and nationalism, national identity formation, politics of knowledge production, and decolonization of knowledge.
Frances Antoinette Cruz is an Assistant Professor at the College of Arts and Letters, University of the Philippines, Diliman, co-convenor of the Decolonial Studies Program at the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UP CIDS) and PhD candidate at the University of Antwerp, Belgium. Her research interests are conceptual history through digital text analysis methods and decolonial approaches in language studies, while her current project involves tracing the representation of Muslims in the Philippines in historical newspapers and contemporary print and social media using digital tools. This project and her policy-related work at UP CIDS have driven her interest in decolonial, intercultural and linguistic policies.
Hadje Cresencio Sadje is an associate member of the SOAS Center for Palestine Studies, University of London, UK. Mr. Sadje obtained his MA in Crosscultural Theology at the Protestant Theological University, The Netherlands, and MA in Ecumenical Studies (specializing in Sociology of Religion) at the University of Bonn. He is a visiting Ph.D. research fellow at the University of Vienna, Austria, a student ambassador at the Paris Institute of Critical Thinking, and a visiting lecturer at the Divinity School Silliman University Philippines. Currently, he is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Hamburg Germany. In the world of practice, his notable works are in association with the Christian Peacemaker Team Greece, Caritas Brussels, World Student Christian Movement-Europe (WSCM-Europe), EAPPI-World Council of Churches (WCC), PeaceBuilders Community Philippines, and Pananaw Pinoy. While in academe, he researches and teaches at the Barcelona Applied Social Sciences Spain and the Foundation Academy in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Mr. Sadje’s research interests include decoloniality, global politics and world religions, sociology of religion, philosophical theologies, postcolonial theologies, and political/public theologies.
Henelito A. Sevilla, Jr. is a founder and president of the Philippine-Middle Studies Association (PMESA) and an Associate Professor of Asian and Philippine Studies at Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman where he taught courses in Philippine External Relations and West Asia (Middle East). His researches and publications focused on the intersection between geopolitics, security, labor migration, and political economy of energy in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) as well as in other countries in Asia namely, the Philippines, Myanmar, India and China. He held several administrative positions at the UP Asian Center, such as, Assistant to the Dean for Student Affairs (2014-2016) and Assistant to the Dean for Administrational and Public Affairs (2016-2018) and Coordinator of West Asian Studies program (2008-present). In addition, he is a member of the Board of Advisors at the Philippine International Studies Organization (PHISO), an Advisor to the Balangay Arts Association (BAA) and the former president of the Philippine-Iran Cultural and Scientific Society (PICSS). In acknowledging his exemplary academic performance and public service, he received several awards and recognitions. Recent among them are: Most Outstanding Professor and Advocate of Environmental and Cultural Preservation of the Year (2021) at the 4th Asia –Pacific Luminare Awards; Regional (NCR) Nominee for National Volunteer recognized by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (2019); International Relations Distinguished Scholar Award by PHISO (2018); Two UP International Publication Awards (2019,2020); Two One UP Faculty Grant Awards (2019-2020; 2016-2018); Two UP Diliman Professorial Chair Awards (2020, 2019); Six UP Diliman Centennial Faculty Grant Awards (1 Jan 2010-31 Dec. 2020); (1 July 2017-30 June 2018); (1 July 2016-30 June 2017); (1 July 2014-30 June 2015); (1 July 2012-30 June2013); (1July 2011-30 June 2012). Dr. Sevilla earned his Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Arts in International Relations from Tehran University (2008) and Shahid Behesti University (2002), Tehran, Iran, respectively. He finished his Bachelor of Science degree in International Relations from King Faisal Center for Islamic, Arabic and Asian Studies (KFCIAAS), Mindanao State University, Main Campus (1997-1998). You may contact him via his email address, hasevilla@up.edu.ph
Jeconiah Louis Dreisbach is a lecturer of Philippine cultural studies at the Filipino Department of De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines. Concurrently, he is a PhD candidate in Humanities and Communication at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spainis a lecturer of Philippine cultural studies at the Filipino Department of De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines. Concurrently, he is a PhD candidate in Humanities and Communication at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain where he is also part of the Language, Culture, and Identity in the Global Age research group. For the academic year 2021-2022, he is a visiting doctoral researcher at the Department of International Studies of the American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. His current interdisciplinary research work is on the sociolinguistics of migration and globalization, family language policy, language contact, and intercultural communication. In addition to his responsibilities in the Philippines and Spain, Jeconiah is serving as a managing editor for the journals Studies in Ethnicity and Nationalism and an editorial board member for the Malaysian Journal of Media Studies and the LLT Journal: A Journal on Language Teaching. His published journal articles, book chapters, case studies, and scholarly commentaries revolve around sociolinguistics, translation studies, Philippine cultural studies, and Southeast Asian politics. In terms of policy-related research, he is interested in language policy, structural inequalities in public health, and intercultural and diversity policies. As for his professional affiliations, Jeconiah is a steering committee member of the Philippine International Studies Organization, an associate member of the National Research Council of the Philippines’ anthropology and linguistics cluster, and a member of the Pambasang Samahan sa Linggwistika at Literaturang Filipino and the Southeast Asian Studies Media Association, among others. He is a Mindanaoan who was born and raised in General Santos City and has lived extensively in Manila and Cebu.
John Harvey D. Gamas is assistant professor and currently the chair of the International Studies Department of Ateneo de Davao University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in International Studies, major in Asian Studies and minor in Philosophy, from the same institution. He obtained his Master of Arts in International Studies, major in European Studies, from De La Salle University. In 2017, he was selected by the US State Department to attend the Study of the United States Institute (SUSI) on US Foreign Policy at Bard College, New York. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Philippine International Studies Organization (PHISO) and the European Studies Association of the Philippines (ESAP). His research interest focuses on Non-Western International Relations, the historical development of international systems, Southeast Asian regionalism, and Mindanao Studies. He is interested to provide reviews on legislative measures concerning History and Politics, Foreign Policy and International Relations, and Subregional and Regional Integration.
Macrina A. Morados is an Associate Professor and Dean of the Institute of Islamic Studies, University of the Philippines, Diliman. She was Faculty Affiliate of the UP Center for International Studies since 2015 to 2019. She is also a Convenor of the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies – Islamic Studies Program (UPCIDS-ISP). She was appointed member of the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) for the Historical Injustice Study Group in 2015. In 2016, she was engaged on a short term technical consultancy where she delivered modules on “Gender Rights in Islam” under the BEAM-ARMM program. In 2018 she was designated member of the composite team as consultant on Islamic Peace Education during the Mindanao State University System crafting of the GE course on Peace Education. Her field of expertise and research interests include: Muslim Personal and Family Relations Law, Shari’ah Court in the Philippines (PD 1083), Muslim Women and Children’s Rights in Islam, Islamic Education, Interfaith Relations, Theocentrism and Pluralism, History of the Muslims in the Philippines. She is currently finishing a research on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism among High Profile Muslim Inmates in the Philippines. In 2008, she was recipient of a Cultural Exchange Program (Interfaith Program) granted by the US Department of State and Purdue University. She was Shari’ah Bar Examiner in 2008 and 2013 for the subjects in Islamic Inheritance Law and Persons and Family Relations, respectively. Last March 6, 2019, she received confirmation of Juris Doctor Degree from the Mindanao State University – College of Law, Marawi Campus, retroactive to the year she obtained her Bachelor of Laws in 2001. At present, she is pursuing her Doctoral Studies in Philippine Studies at the University of the Philippines Tri-College Program.
Mansoor L. Limba is Associate Professor of Political Science, International and Islamic Studies at Ateneo de Davao University, Davao City, Philippines. He is an International Fellow of the Vienna-based King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID). Since August 2018, he has been KAICIID’s Regional Coordinator for South and Southeast Asia, as well as interreligious dialogue trainer-facilitator. Dr. Limba is a member of the UNDP Philippines-initiated Bangsamoro Insider Mediators, and an alumnus of Clingendael (Netherlands Institute of International Relations) on Negotiation and Mediation in Conflict Resolution. He is a columnist of Mindanews online news magazine and a Persian-to-English translator with over 50 translation works to his credit. As manifested in his written and translation works as well as presentations in national and international conferences, his research interests include international politics, history, political philosophy, intra-faith and interfaith relations, preventing and countering violent extremism (PVE/CVE), cultural heritage, Islamic finance, jurisprudence (fiqh), theology (‘ilm al-kalam), Qur’anic sciences and exegesis (tafsir), hadith, ethics, and mysticism. As an aspiring entrepreneur, Limba has opened ElziStyle Bookshop (elzistyle.com) to publish his written and translation works. As a financial education advocate, he has founded and maintains MuslimandMoney.com website. As a certified chess trainer and Arena Candidate Master (ACM), he has established Cotabato City Chess Academy (CCCA) to teach chess to young players for the formation of fundamental moral values and the blossoming of their academic and lifelong skills. Dr. Limba obtained his bachelor’s degree in Islamic Studies (major in Islamic History) as magna cum laude in 1994 and another degree in International Relations in 1996 from Mindanao State University, Marawi City, Philippines. He earned a master’s degree in International Relations (with honor) from Shahid Beheshti University (former National University of Iran), Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, and a doctoral degree in International Relations from the University of Tehran.
Marie Aubrey Villaceran is faculty member of the Department of English and Comparative Literature in the University of the Philippines in Diliman. She was conferred a PhD in sociology by La Trobe University in Australia, with her doctoral thesis centering on the lived experiences of Filipina migrants in Australia. Marby is also currently Deputy Director for Research and Publication at the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies and is the editor in chief of the Review of Women’s Studies, a refereed journal publishing research papers and creative work that explore the myriad experiences of Filipino women and problematize gender relations in Philippine society. She has also conducted training and lectures on gender sensitivity, gender dimensions of disaster risk reduction & disaster risk management, and gender and the environment. She has published on women and the environment and gender and migration. She is also currently involved in projects on arts-based social research methods.
Melanie Reyes has been with the women’s movement(s) for more than 20 years. She is a member of the National Gender Resource Pool of the Philippine Commission on Women providing technical assistance through capacity building on gender concerns to national government agencies, educational institutions, and local government units. She has coordinated several projects such as the Regional Program to Promote Gender Equality in Political Participation in the Philippines with AECID and the two phases of the Women, Peace, and Security Project with USAID and USDS as the Gender and Development Head of the Women and Gender Institute (WAGI). She has conducted research on migration, women’s political participation, trafficking of women and children, sexual and reproductive rights, gender and climate change with such groups as UN Women, UNICEF Philippines, ARROW Malaysia, Oxfam Philippines, and the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Women and Children. She holds a Doctoral Degree in Social Development from the University of the Philippines and a Master in Public Administration from the same university. She obtained her BA in International Studies at Miriam College. Currently, she is the Chairperson of the Department of International Studies at Miriam College. She is also a part-time lecturer at the University of the Philippines Open University teaching Women and Development Research.
Naidyl Isis Bautista is an Assistant Professor of Italian Studies at the Department of European Languages, College of Arts and Letters, at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Her published works focus on materials development, language didactics, and foreign language policies in the Philippines. She is also interested in delving into linguistics, digital humanities, and decolonial studies.
Pacita “Bing” Dechavez Fortin is Assistant Professor V in Miriam College, Quezon City. As the current Chair of its Department of Social Work and former Chair of the Department of International Studies, she is the force behind developing the school’s Master in Social Work (MSW) in 2016. She has been teaching gender, development, research methods, and social work professional courses for more than 10 years. Currently, she serves as member of the national board of the Philippine Social Workers Association, Inc. and the regional group leader of the United Registered Social Workers (URSW) in Metro Manila. As a consultant of the ILO- UN Women Safe and Fair Philippines- Babaeng Biyahero Campaign Psychosocial Support Team, she provides free, confidential and online psychological first aid and psychosocial support services to women migrant workers at risk and subject to violence and those affected by the Covid19 pandemic. She holds a degree in BS Social Work from Bicol University (1999) and MA in Development Studies (with specialization in Women, Gender and Development) from the International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University-Rotterdam, The Hague, Netherlands (2007). At present, she is pursuing her PhD in Family Studies in Miriam College. A registered social worker for more than 20 years, her teaching, research and advocacy interests focus on social welfare policy and services, gender and development, gender-based violence, violence against women, women’s rights, child protection, mental health, disaster risk reduction management, community-based humanitarian leadership, volunteer management, rights-based, feminist and gender-responsive social work education and practice.
Primitivo III “Prime” Cabanes Ragandang is a Political Science Assistant Professor at Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology in the Philippines, where he earned a doctorate in Sustainable Development Studies in 2018. He is currently pursuing a Higher Degree by Research at The Australian National University where he got a three-year PhD scholarship. Drawing from the case of the Bangsamoro, his PhD thesis explores the intergenerational intersect of community resilience and collective memory in a hybrid political order. Prime is a 2017 Bayaning Kabataang Pilipino finalist of ABS-CBN Gawad Geny Lopez Jr Foundation and is the 2016 Philippine Ambassador of goodwill to Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange Students and Youths. Before joining the academe, he worked in a non-profit and received an award as one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organization in Malacañang Palace, Manila. He was the Philippine representative to international summits on Millennium Development Goals, Youth Volunteering and Peace Education in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. He was also a scholar of the Japan Overseas Missionaries Assistance Society (JOMAS) in his undergraduate studies. Prime’s research is focused on Mindanao and the confluence of youth, peacebuilding, and community resilience. He has published in Conflict Studies Quarterly, Peace Review, Peacebuilding Journal, and the Journal of Peacebuilding and Development. His first book, “Duladula ug Pakigsandurot” (Games and Interaction) has been piloted in some public schools in Northern Mindanao. Currently, he is editing a book on youth, peacebuilding, and sustainability.
Quivido T. Oregines has had almost 30 years of experience teaching Cultural Anthropology, Comparative Religion, and other behavioral sciences in Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan (XU), and 20 years of experience and engagement in research, peace, and interfaith dialogue. Sir Quivs, as what he is fondly called by his students and colleagues, has a Doctorate degree in Management from Capitol University (CU), Cagayan de Oro City; and has master’s degrees in Public Service Management from CU, Peace and Development from NDU, Cultural Anthropology candidate from XU, and Guidance Counseling from XU. Dr. Oregines’ bachelor’s degree is in Psychology from the University of San Carlos in Cebu City. In terms of sir Quivs’ work in peace and development, he taught Sociology and Anthropology in Cagayan de Oro College in 1982 to 1992, and Cultural Anthropology, Comparative Religion, and in XU since 1992. He has done a few ethnography studies on the following: the Maranao peoples, and indigenous groups namely the B’laan, Matigsalug, Talaandig, Subanen and Mamanua . He worked in the Research Institute for Mindanao Culture in XU, doing research studies, such as: “Mamanua amist changing cultural worlds and natural environments” in 2003, “Muslim-Christian Peace Building Initiatives in Cagayan de Oro City” in 2006, and other research projects on conflict transformation and the environment. He is one of the consultants in drafting the Peace Framework and Agenda for Northern Mindanao. Sir Quivs has been in been in 15 big cities including Istanbul, Turkey, has shared his experiences in studying Islam, and has worked side-by-side with Risale-i students in a dialogue of action. He translated five books written by Beddiuzaman, a Turkish philosopher into Cebuano and the books were published in Turkey. Dr. Oregines is one of the authors of “Gender and Society” by Fe Tolibas, et al, published by Mutya Publishing, and the book is being used now as a textbook in a few universities in Mindanao. He will soon be one of the consultants to write a module on indigenous communities in the Philippines, and peace studies. Dr. Oregines is a member of the Ugnayan Pang-Aghamtao, Inc. or UGAT (Anthropological Association of the Philippines), Philippine Health Social Sciences Association (PHSSA), and the Philippine Sociological Society. Moreover, he is a member of the Muslim-Christian Peace Initiatives, Silsilah Peace Initiative Movement, Service for Peace, the Global Peace Festival, and a board member of the Mindanao Peace Initiative. Sir Quivs has attended numerous seminars and trainings on peace and development, in the Philippines and abroad. He took part in the “20th Annual International Law and Religion Symposium” in Provo, Utah, USA in 2013, the “Translators Conference of the Work of Beddiuzzaman’s Said Nursi Collection” in Istanbul, Turkey in 2010, “The Role and Place of Prophethood in Humanity’s Journey to the Truth: The Perspective of the Risale-I Nur” also in Istanbul in 2013, and “Changing Landscapes, Humanscapes and Mindscapes in a Globalizing World” in Leiden, Netherlands in 2004. In addition, Dr. Oregines has attended national seminars such as the “Culture of Peace during the 6th Inter-regional PASWI (Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc.)”, “Mindanao Community-Based Institute on Peace Education” in Ateneo de Zamboanga University, the “Global Peace Leadership Conference 2013” in Manila, organized by the Global Peace Foundation, and conferences by UGAT, and Youth Du’wah for Peace. Dr. Oregines is presently in Utah, USA, and is the International Liaison for Global Networking for Liceo de Cagayan University.
Ramon Guillermo is full professor at the Center for International Studies at the University of the Philippines Diliman. His current research projects are on the transmission, dissemination, circulation, reception, and translation of radical texts and ideas in Southeast Asia using techniques and approaches from translation studies and digital humanities. He is the author of several books which include “Translation and Revolution: A Study of Jose Rizal’s Guillermo Tell” (Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2009), “Pook at Paninindigan: Kritika ng Pantayong Pananaw” (Site and Standpoint: A Critique of Pantayong Pananaw) (UP Press, 2009) and the novel “Ang Makina ni Mang Turing” (Mister Turing’s Machine) (UP Press, 2013). He served as the Faculty Regent of the University of the Philippines (2018-2019).
Rizal G. Buendia is an independent political analyst, consultant, and researcher in Southeast Asian Politics and International Development based in Wales, UK. He was a former Teaching Fellow at the Politics and International Studies Department and the Department of Development Studies, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. He was also the previous Chair and Associate Professor at the Political Science Department, De La Salle University in Manila, Senior Lecturer at the National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG)-University of the Philippines-Diliman, and Special Lecturer at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Currently he is the Philippines Country Expert of the Global V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, Sweden and Non-Resident Fellow of Stratbase-Alberto Rosario Institute, a think tank based in the Philippines. He authored the book, Ethnicity and Sub-nationalist Independence Movements in the Philippines and Indonesia: Implications for Regional Security (2002) and published four (4) major monographs on Bangsamoro, ASEAN, and regional geopolitics. He also contributed several articles that saw print in international refereed journals and wrote book chapters in the areas of ethno-nationalism, Bangsamoro politics, indigenous peoples’ rights, conflict management, regional cooperation, Southeast Asian governance, public administration, human rights, democracy, and social policies. He also published several book reviews apart from brief political analysis and commentaries published in Eurasia (https://www.eurasiareview.com/), E-International Relations (https://www.e-ir.info/), and Pinterpolitik: World, Region, Nation (https://wrn.pinterpolitik.com/). Dr. Buendia was a recipient of the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) Republica Award both at the Regional (NCR) and National levels in the Social Science, Economics, Education and Humanities category in 2007. He also held the Ambassador Carlos J. Valdes Professorial Chair in Political Economics, the Alfredo S. Lim II Distinguished Professorial Chair in Public Administration, the Yuchengco Professorial Chair in Southeast Asian Studies, and Visiting Professor at the Waseda Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies (WIAPS) Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan. He is currently a member of the International Editorial Board of the Asian Journal of Criminology (Melbourne, Australia), Founding Member of the Asian Criminological Society (Beijing, China), and former Editor in Chief of the Asia Pacific Social Science Journal. He is also member of the Association for Asian Studies (AAS), Asian Political and International Studies Association (APISA), the International Political Science Association (IPSA), and the Phi Gamma Mu International Honor Society-Beta Chapter. Dr Buendia also provided project consultancy services to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP-Bangkok), World Bank, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), CANADA-ASEAN Governance Innovations Network-Institute on Governance (CAGIN), Canada International Development Agency (CIDA), the International Development Research Center (IDRC), the International Technology and Management Corp. (INTEM), and Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), among others. He obtained his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Political Science at the National University of Singapore (NUS) under the NUS by-research Ph.D. scholarship. He was a grantee of the TODA Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research’s Doctoral Fellowship Program and of the Southeast Asian Studies Regional Exchange Program, Toyota Foundation and the Japan Foundation Asia Center’s research fellowship Program. He earned his Master of Public Administration (MPA) with Highest Distinction at the University of the Philippines-Diliman (National College of Public Administration and Governance [NCPAG]) and served a NCPAG’s Student Council Chair.
Rosa Cordillera A. Castillo is a sociocultural anthropologist and engaged scholar based at Humboldt University of Berlin’s Institute for Asian and African Studies. She works on peace and conflict studies, with a particular focus on memory and imagination, emotions, resistance, and solidarity in national and transnational contexts. She is also interested in and writes on decoloniality, critical research ethics, and engaged scholarship. Rosa is the co-editor of the Affect and Colonialism Web Lab and founder of the Philippine Studies Series Berlin platform. She was a lecturer and assistant professor of anthropology at the University of the Philippines Diliman and Manila campuses prior to moving to Berlin.
A peace specialist, Rudy Buhay Rodil is an active Mindanawon historian and peace advocate. In 1988 he was a commissioner of the Regional Consultative Commission in Muslim Mindanaw which helped Congress draft the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanaw. As an acknowledged expert on the history of the Moro conflict, he was twice member of the GRP peace negotiating panel in the talks with the Moro National Liberation Front, 1993-96, and also vice chair of the GRP Panel in the talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Dec 2004 to 3 Sep 08. He was Visiting Professor at Hiroshima University in Oct-Dec 2011. Having started his studies on Mindanaw, especially on the Moro and Lumad affairs, in the summer of 1973, he has so far written five books, several monographs and 127 articles. As educator, he has taught in Sulu, Cotabato, Davao, Manila and Iligan. Now retired, he was professor of history in the last twenty-four years in Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Jun 1983 to Oct 2007. As peace advocate, he has so far participated as resource person in more than 788 forums, seminars and conferences related to the creation of a culture of peace in Mindanaw, both in the Philippines and abroad.
Yassen S. Ala graduated with honors in BA Business Administration from the University of the Philippines. He has more than three years of solid experience in Globe Telecom before he pursued a graduate degree. He attained a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Istanbul University in Turkey. His skills in Strategic Management and passion for peace and financial inclusion have led him to related consultancy projects. He empowers the underserved and promotes sustainable peace through training in personal financial management. He continues to contribute to peace and nation-building in his current position in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao through the Office of one of the Members of the Parliament.
Yusoph B. Ramos holds diverse academic degrees from different sciences. He has a BSc. in Medical Technology from the Philippines, a MSc. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Westminster, United Kingdom, a MA in Civilisations Studies from the Alliance of Civilisations Institute in Istanbul and a MA in Philosophy from Ibn Haldun University, Turkey. In the Philippines, he has taught as a University Lecturer and has worked as a Medical Laboratory Scientist for 5 years. In Istanbul, since 2015, he has been working as a researcher with professors who are experts in the fields of Political Theory, Physics, Sociology, Western Philosophy and Islamic Philosophy. He is also a Teaching Fellow at Ibn Haldun University. Other than English and Filipino, he has studied Turkish, Arabic and German languages. His research interests include Telocytes in Tissue Malignancy, Neural Mechanism of Cognition, Concepts ‘Aql and Free will in Western and Islamic Thoughts, Issues on Authority and Freedom as well as on matters of State Security and Civil Society. With PRLS, Yusoph Ramos provides critical analysis on the coherency of reasoning as basis of legislations pertinent to Public Health, Education and Security. He evaluates the sustainability of these laws and provides assessments on their subsequent impact in relation to the current social issues in BARMM.
PRLS (Policy Research and Legal Services) 