On 3rd of August 2022, speakers convened to talk about the diverse history of Mindanao and invited viewers to Transfiguring Mindanao Conversation Series during the forum on “Building Mindanao Communities and the Zamboanga Experience” at the university’s FWS Multipurpose Hall. The participants met to discuss the significance and complexities of incorporating Mindanaoan historical perspectives in the teaching of Philippine history. With funding assistance from CHED and additional support from The Asia Foundation (TAF), the School of Social Sciences at Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) directed the development of the Mindanao Reader. The conversation series was organized by the Ateneo de Manila University School of Social Sciences in collaboration with the Institute of Philippine Culture and Ateneo de Zamboanga University AdZU).
AdZU was invited to co-host the webinar, which featured two AdZU faculty members, Dr. Felice Noelle Rodriguez and Ms. Ma. Christina A. Cañones. Contributors to the recently released book, Transfiguring Mindanao: a Mindanao Reader, edited by Jose Jowel Canuday and Joselito Sescon, also took part in the webinar. The book has 34 chapters with 44 authors emphasizing Mindanao from different lenses and disciplines concerning history, economics, culture, language, society, practices, media and ecology of the region and its people intended to be utilized as a resource for classes, research and supplemental reading materials. The conversation series focused on current efforts and initiatives to promote Mindanao’s history integrating the diverse perspectives of the different contributors of the book.
“Mindanao is a complex setting that we continuously find ways to understand. Through this book, we gain an excellent resource to develop a good understanding of Mindanao; different areas, history of what happened in the past that paves to the present Mindanao we know of,” stated by Dr. Robin Delos Reyes in an exclusive interview. Indeed, the transformation in Mindanao is the culmination of transfiguration influenced from the different multidisciplinary facets from Mindanao’s diverse region. The effort to document and consistently educate the Filipinos who are not natives of Mindanao and are unfamiliar with the region in terms of the people, geography, and culture is imperative to build a more unified nation.
The event’s purpose went beyond simply informing the public about Mindanao as a territory and promoting the publication of the book, but it also served as a catalyst to ignite people to converse about different subjects that concerns Mindanao, different from what is being channeled on media. Undoubtedly, Mindanao is frequently portrayed as a hostile and dangerous region. Belief on these stereotypes is debilitating as it fuels discrimination and bigotry, which in turn exacerbates inequality and marginalization towards the Mindanaons.
Mindanao may be plagued by a trifecta of stigma, shame, and fear. Thus, this book would somehow provide a possibility to harness involvement, reintegration, and transfiguring initiatives to enhance awareness of Mindanao. With this medium, we are paving the way for a thorough understanding of the complexity of Mindanao from all views and not only one. The book seeks to encourage the reader to do their own contemplative effort of creating their own vision of Mindanao with consoling clarity. Indeed, to transfigure is to transform into something more beautiful and luminous – a transformation of understanding Mindanao, one that is more just, peaceful, and full of hope in the reader’s knowledge and perception.
The plight Mindanao region has been dealing with for decades appears to require a lifetime of unraveling. But it is never impossible. Never. It is evident there are still existing misconceptions of the Mindanao region. However, through this book we are hoping to create an inclusive historical memoir that glorifies the diversity of Mindanao’s history and identities in the country. This will help students and readers alike to understand their own roots, fostering a sense of belonging, dispelling stereotypes, and thus paving the way for long lasting peace and hope. We are looking forward to more Transfiguring Mindanao Conversation Series following the event’s success.
