2025 Leong Institute Fellows Forum showcases research excellence and global collaboration

The Leong Institute Fellows Forum (LIFF), held on 9 October 2025, gathered scholars and faculty at the Leong Hall Auditorium for an afternoon of meaningful exchange and reflection on research supported by the Ricardo Leong Grants for Global Area Studies Research and the Ricardo Leong Grants for Lectures in Philippine Studies.

Gracing the event were Mr Ricardo and Dr Rosita Leong, whose generosity continues to advance Ateneo de Manila University’s global scholarship and cross-cultural engagement.

The event opened with an invocation by Ms Aurea C Javier, Director of the Korean Studies Program. Dr Diana J Mendoza, Director of the Ricardo Leong Institute for Global and Area Studies, served as the Master of Ceremonies, guiding the afternoon's program.

Dr Violet Valdez, former Director of the Ateneo Center for Asian Studies, delivered remarks on behalf of Dr Czarina “Bopeep” Saloma-Akpedonu, Dean of the Dr. Rosita G Leong School of Social Sciences. The message highlighted the importance of global collaboration and cross-disciplinary work in cultivating a deeper understanding of regional and cultural dynamics.

Pagtataya sa Kalusugan: Benchmarking for a Philippine Foresight Study Methodology

Dr Dennis D. Batangan, awardee of the Ricardo Leong Grant for Global Area Studies Research for SY 2024–2025, presented his lecture titled “Pagtataya sa Kalusugan: Benchmarking for a Philippine Foresight Study Methodology.”

Dr Batangan discussed the value of foresight and the Delphi Method in anticipating and addressing social and technical challenges before they emerge. Drawing from his experiences since 2017, when he first engaged with a South Korean university’s long-term study on entertainment-related activities, Dr. Batangan reflected on how foresight studies can help Philippine institutions prepare for future challenges.

He explained that foresight research is not simply predictive; rather, it is a systematic process of gathering expert insights, synthesizing perspectives, and identifying consensus about future trends and developments.

“Most foresight and Delphi studies aim to establish benchmarks—to help us improve our preparedness and decision-making—especially when we compare our work with that of our counterparts, such as those in South Korea,” Dr. Batangan noted.

Following his presentation, Dr Philip Arnold Tuaño of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies delivered his reaction, emphasizing the policy and development implications of Dr Batangan’s work.

Intermission: Solo Trumpet Performance

An intermission featured a solo trumpet performance by Conn David Gumanoy, a 4th-year AB Diplomacy and International Relations student, who performed “Gabriel’s Oboe” from The Mission by Ennio Morricone.

The American Colonial Origins of Filipinization

Dr Charlie Samuya Veric, awardee of the Ricardo Leong Grant for Lectures in Philippine Studies for SY 2024-2025, delivered his lecture titled “The American Colonial Origins of Filipinization.”

His presentation examined the historical foundations of Filipinization, tracing its emergence from American colonial educational and cultural policies and their lasting influence on Philippine identity and institutions.

Dr Veric’s lecture invited reflection on how colonial legacies continue to shape academic and national discourse in the present day.

About the Ricardo Leong Grants

The Ricardo Leong Grants program, comprising the Ricardo Leong Grants for Global Area Studies Research and the Ricardo Leong Grants for Lectures in Philippine Studies, was established to support international research and academic exchange among Ateneo faculty.

These grants aim to:

• support the international mobility of Ateneo faculty and researchers;
• develop geographical expertise and promote studies on societies outside the Philippines;
• encourage comparative and cross-cultural scholarship that enriches Philippine perspectives; and
• forge academic collaborations and institutional linkages between Ateneo de Manila and partner universities abroad.

Through these initiatives, the Leong Institute enables Filipino scholars to participate in global academic conversations while contributing unique local insights to international discourse.

The Leong Institute Fellows Forum concluded with an invitation for faculty members to apply for the upcoming cycle of the Ricardo Leong Grants. The call for proposals closes on 9 December 2025.

For inquiries, interested applicants may email leonginstitute@ateneo.edu