Program Overview

Philippine Studies is a discipline encompassing the study of Philippine politics, society and culture. As one of the country's foremost academic programs on the study of the Philippines, the TriCollege Ph.D. Philippine Studies Program is jointly offered by the Asian Center (AC), the College of Arts and Letters (CAL), and the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

The program seeks to problematize the distinct identity of Filipinos, produce specialists capable of identifying and studying Philippine programs using multi- and interdisciplinary approaches and methodologies, expose students to different disciplinal perspectives, and impart a holistic approach to Philippine problems.

TriCollege Coordinating Council

The TriCollege program is headed by the Tri-College Council, which consists of the deans of the Asian Center, College of Arts and Letters, and College of Social Sciences and Philosophy; coordinators from each college; and the head of the Secretariat.

Deans

Ruth R. Lusterio-Rico, Ph.D., Dean, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy
Jimmuel C. Naval, Ph.D., Dean, College of Arts and Letters (Chair)
Henelito A. Sevilla, Jr., Ph.D., Dean, Asian Center

Coordinators

Noel Christian A. Moratilla, Ph.D. (Asian Center)
Mary Jane B. Rodriguez-Tatel, Ph.D. (College of Arts and Letters)
Lou Angeli A. Ocampo, Ph.D. (College of Social Sciences and Philosophy)

Head of Secretariat

Maria Dulce F. Natividad, Ph.D.

History of the Program

The Tri-College Ph.D. Philippine Studies Program traces its roots to two Diliman-based Ph.D. programs, instituted by the Asian Center and the then College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). In 1983, CAS split into three colleges. Two of the colleges that emerged, namely the College of Arts and Letters and the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, continued to offer the degree separately.

In 1983, the UP Board of Regents initiated steps to integrate the three programs. A single curriculum with the same core courses for all three colleges was developed and instituted in 1993, but administered by each college separately, although the colleges coordinated in selected aspects of program administration. In 2000, a new initiative was launched by then Chancellor Emerlinda Roman to effect the full integration of the program under a single administrative structure. In 2004, the Tri-College Ph.D. Philippine Studies Program was established.

The UP Asian Center serves as the Secretariat of the Program, handling admissions, records, and the like.