Ateneo Masterclass
Cultivating Culturally Intelligent Storytellers
A full-day learning experience for communication students and early-career professionals who want to create narratives that are authentic, respectful, socially grounded, and capable of connecting with audiences across cultures.
Twenty-five selected participants will explore the principles and practice of culturally intelligent storytelling with Ned Legaspi.
Why This Masterclass
Storytelling in a Diverse and Interconnected World
In today's globalized and digitally interconnected media landscape, storytelling is no longer only about creativity. It also requires cultural awareness, sensitivity, and responsibility.
As audiences become more diverse and socially conscious, communicators are increasingly expected to create narratives that are compelling and culturally intelligent.
Culturally intelligent storytelling recognizes the importance of context, representation, and ethical engagement with different communities. It challenges creators to move beyond stereotypes and superficial inclusivity toward narratives that are authentic, respectful, and socially grounded.
The challenge is not simply to tell a good story, but to understand how culture shapes the way a story is created, interpreted, and received.
Learning Focus
What Participants Will Explore
The masterclass combines conceptual understanding with practical tools that participants can apply across communication, education, advocacy, media, the creative industries, and community engagement.
Who Can Apply
A Curated Group of Students and Early-Career Practitioners
The masterclass is open to the public and designed for twenty-five selected participants.
Communication and Media Students
Advanced students who want to strengthen their understanding of culture, storytelling, representation, and cross-cultural audience connection.
Early-Career Professionals
Faculty members, journalists, media practitioners, development communicators, marketing professionals, government and NGO workers, content creators, and influencers.
The program is specifically curated for practitioners and advanced students who are eager to cultivate specialized, high-demand skills in cross-cultural narrative design.
Participation and Inclusions
A Sponsored Full-Day Learning Experience
Participation is free through the support of the Jose "Totoy" V. Avellana Professorial Chair for Communication Arts. The Department of Communication is sponsoring the masterclass for a limited number of participants.
Masterclass Kit
Learning materials and resources prepared for the full-day masterclass.
Meals and Snacks
Lunch, morning snacks, and afternoon snacks are included.
Certificate
Participants who complete the program will receive a certificate of participation.
Complimentary Book
Each selected participant will receive a copy of Culturally Intelligent Storytelling for Southeast Asian Creators as the course text.
Masterclass Facilitator
Ned Legaspi
Ned Legaspi is an author, educator, and speaker whose work explores how culture shapes communication, storytelling, identity, and connection.
For thirty years, he worked with global Filipino communities through The Filipino Channel, where he served in senior content and creative leadership roles. He now teaches at the Department of Communication of Ateneo de Manila University.
His book and CIS Bamboo Framework bring together professional practice, cross-cultural experience, teaching, and continuing research into a practical approach for creators and communicators.
Application
Apply for One of Twenty-Five Places
Complete the official Ateneo application form on or before July 25, 2026. Selection is limited, and submission of an application does not automatically guarantee a place in the masterclass.