For years, I have asked myself a simple but persistent question: Can Filipino stories go global and still stay true to their roots?
This June, I will carry that question—and my answer—to Tokyo.
I have been invited to present at the 30th Annual Philippine Studies Forum at the University of Tokyo. It will be my very first international academic conference, and the moment feels surreal.
When I started my PhD journey, I knew that the path would be filled with books, papers, and late nights of writing. What I didn’t expect was how each milestone would open a bigger door. Completing coursework gave me confidence. Local conferences gave me community. Now, this invitation gives me a stage beyond the Philippines.
I will be sharing my framework, Culturally Intelligent Storytelling (CIS Bamboo Framework)—a Southeast Asian approach to storytelling that asks how our narratives can resonate across borders while remaining rooted in who we are.
It feels humbling and exciting at the same time. Humbling, because I know I stand on the shoulders of Filipino scholars and storytellers who came before me. Exciting, because this is proof that our stories belong in global conversations.
As I prepare to speak in Tokyo, I carry not just my research, but also the hope that Southeast Asian voices will continue to grow louder on the world stage.
The journey of our stories is just beginning.
