Center for West Visayan Studies - UP Visayas

01/09/2026

We warmly welcome Sir Trizer Dale and Ma’am Ma. Kresna Mansueto of UP Cebu during their visit and access to the CWVS Library resources.

01/09/2026

The CWVS Library welcomed students from the Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning program for a special Saturday research session last August 29, 2026, giving working professionals access to local and archival resources. Their research explored historical planning materials to support studies on local development in Leganes, Oton, San Joaquin, and Iloilo City.

31/08/2026

The Philippines, with its rich historical and cultural heritage, has commemorated National Heroes Day for nearly a century. While we honor prominent Filipinos who helped shape the nation, we also remember the countless patriots whose names are unknown but whose sacrifices advanced the cause of nationhood and freedom from foreign powers.

Heroes do not emerge only in times of war or crisis. The pursuit of peace founded on justice and inclusive development calls on every generation to rise above individual circumstances and serve the common good. As long as the spirit of bayanihan and patriotism lives in Filipinos, new generations of heroes will continue to answer the call of their times.

This National Heroes Day, the University of the Philippines invites everyone to reflect on the lives and examples of Filipinos who, from diverse backgrounds, carry forward the meaning and legacy of heroism and inspire us to build a better future together.

27/08/2026

The Center for West Visayan Studies (CWVS) mourns the passing of Dr. Dionisia Rola, the first Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Visayas

Dr. Rola played a significant role in the establishment of the CWVS. In the early 1970s, while serving as Dean of the UP College Iloilo, she advocated for the creation of a center dedicated to the study of the Visayas. Responding to the need for a coordinated effort to preserve, promote, and disseminate the rich historical and cultural heritage of the region, the UP Board of Regents approved the establishment of the Visayan Studies Program on June 26, 1975.

Her vision and advocacy laid an important foundation for what would eventually become the Center for West Visayan Studies - a continuing home for the preservation, documentation, research, and promotion of the history and cultural heritage of Western Visayas.

Madamo gid nga salamat, Dr. Dionisia Rola.

Your legacy lives on in the work of the Center and in the generations of scholars, researchers, and communities who continue to value the rich Western Visayan heritage.

Rest in peace, Chancellor Rola.

26/08/2026

In celebration of Buwan ng Kasaysayan 2026, the UPV community and the general public are invited to the this month's installment of the History Cluster Lecture Series.

Mr. Rad Xavier Sumagaysay of the History and Philosophy Cluster will deliver his lecture entitled "Eating in their Image: Constructing the "Native" and "Oriental" Diet in Japanese Occupation Periodicals in the Philippines (1942-1945).

Come visit us and learn about the construction of a "Filipino" food identity on September 4, 2026, 1:00 PM at the Miagao Interactive Learning Center (MILC), Tomas Fonacier Hall (CAS Building).

See you there!

ABSTRACT:
This paper explores the construction of a “Filipino” dietary identity in the Japanese-controlled periodicals The Tribune and Shin-Seiki (Bagong Araw-New Era) (1942-1945). It first examines how food and food-related practices introduced and popularized during Spanish and American colonial rule were criticized as incompatible with Filipino physiology, climate, and culture. Instead, the periodicals called for a reassessment of the Filipino diet, emphasizing a closer relationship with Philippine ecologies and foodways. Moreover, an idealized Japanese diet was presented as a model to follow, linking wartime dietary practices to notions of Japanese and “Oriental” health, nutrition, and austerity. Ultimately, these attempts to define a Filipino diet were complicated and unsettled by both the hybrid and historically layered nature of Philippine cuisine, as well as the transimperial nature of the Japanese Occupation.

26/08/2026

21/08/2026

The rich culinary heritage of Ilonggo’s La Paz Batchoy took center stage for Beyond the Bowl: Bringing Heritage, Innovation, and the Future of La Paz Batchoy on August 19, 2026, at the Events Center of SM City Iloilo.

Organized by the UP Visayas College of Management Student Council in partnership with SM City Iloilo, the lecture forum was held as part of the celebrations for Iloilo City’s Charter Day and Batchoy Festival. The event brought together students from various universities and members of the local community to deepen their appreciation of La Paz Batchoy as a significant part of Ilonggo culinary heritage.

Serving as guest speaker was Darlene Joy D. Calsado, University Research Associate of the Center for West Visayan Studies, and Research Fellow for the project “Namit Gid!: A Multistakeholders Collaboration for Ilonggo’s Batchoy” under the Panay Weaving and Culinary Heritage Program.

Calsado highlighted La Paz Batchoy not only as a beloved local delicacy but also as an important expression of Ilonggo identity, history, and cultural heritage. She emphasized the importance of documenting and preserving the dish’s traditional ingredients, preparation practices, and cultural narratives while encouraging younger generations to take an active role in sustaining this culinary tradition.

The forum also underscored the need to balance heritage preservation with responsible innovation as La Paz Batchoy continues to evolve and gain wider recognition. Discussions encouraged the youth and other stakeholders to appreciate the cultural significance of the dish while supporting local batchoy makers and establishments.

Ms. Leny Ledesma, Focal Person for Iloilo City’s UNESCO Creative Cities Network Gastronomy, delivered an inspirational message that called on the audience to help protect Iloilo’s local food industry while embracing innovations that respect and strengthen the city’s culinary traditions.

The event concluded with an interactive open forum, providing participants an opportunity to engage with the speakers and reflect on the future of La Paz Batchoy. The forum reflects continuing efforts to engage the youth and broader community in conversations on the protection and promotion of Ilonggo culinary heritage. Through initiatives such as Namit Gid!, UP Visayas and its partners continue to support collaborative approaches toward safeguarding La Paz Batchoy and strengthening its place in Iloilo’s cultural identity.

More than a cherished local dish, La Paz Batchoy carries stories of community, tradition, and Ilonggo pride. As Iloilo looks toward the future, preserving its heritage while fostering meaningful innovation remains essential to ensuring that the familiar bowl of batchoy continues to be shared and celebrated by generations to come.

Written and photos by: Aprille Danilly A. Guintibano

14/08/2026

“Namit Gid! Nami Gid!”: CWVS facilitates conversations on Ilonggos’ batchoy ��

Key stakeholders gathered at Iloilo City Hall on August 11, 2026, for a consultative discussion under the project “Namit Gid!: A Multistakeholder Collaboration for Ilonggo’s Batchoy,” strengthening collaborative efforts to protect, promote, and sustain the heritage of Iloilo’s iconic Lapaz batchoy.

Facilitated by UP Visayas Center for West Visayan Studies (CWVS), the meeting brought together stakeholders representing batchoy owners and producers, including the Iloilo City Government, Iloilo City Gastronomy Council, academe, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Among the batchoy establishments that are part of this collaborative initiative are Netong’s Original Special Lapaz Batchoy, Deco’s Lapaz Batchoy, Ted’s Oldtimer Lapaz Batchoy, Popoy’s Batchoy, Inggo’s Original Lapaz Batchoy, and Alicia’s Special Batchoy, whose participation provided valuable industry perspectives to the discussions.

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas, in a meeting with the participants, emphasized the importance of collaboration in protecting and promoting authentic Iloilo Batchoy. She underscored the need for an inclusive approach that benefits not only batchoy producers and establishments but also the wider Ilonggo community.

The meeting focused on preparations and collaborative efforts toward the certification mark for Iloilo Lapaz Batchoy. Particular attention was given to the formulation of an association of Lapaz Batchoy producers, owners, and cultural heritage stakeholders, which is envisioned to strengthen coordination and representation within the batchoy industry. The activity provides a platform for stakeholders to exchange inputs, align their efforts, and build consensus toward initiatives that will safeguard the identity and authenticity of Lapaz batchoy.

Through this multi-stakeholder collaboration, the project seeks to ensure that the continued development of the batchoy industry remains rooted in its cultural heritage while creating opportunities for local producers, supporting businesses, and contributing to the growth of Iloilo’s gastronomy tourism.

The Namit Gid Project is implemented by the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UP CIDS) - Local - Regional Studies Network – Iloilo (LRSN) through the UPV CWVS.

Written by Aprille Danilly A. Guintibano
Photos by Aprille Danilly A. Guintibano

13/08/2026

The Center for West Visayan Studies warmly welcomes another set of Architecture students from the University of San Agustin as they conduct their data collection on Indigenous Narratives in Architecture.

13/08/2026

The Center for West Visayan Studies warmly welcomed Architecture students from the University of San Agustin as part of their data collection activities and academic inquiry on heritage and journalism.