- October 16, 2025
ASEAN Lecture Series explores History, Gender Equity, and Disinformation
On September 2, 2025, Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna’s (Mapúa MCL) Office for Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagement (OSPGE) continued its celebration of ASEAN Month 2025 by organizing another installment of the ASEAN Lecture Series at the Global Classroom.
The lecture series began with Prof. Oliver Castillo, who delivered “Jose Rizal as a Southeast Asian Hero.” His lecture provided a broader perspective on Rizal’s legacy, portraying him not only as the national hero of the Philippines but also as a significant figure in the Southeast Asian context. Prof. Castillo emphasized how Rizal’s ideals of freedom, education, and social reform resonate across the region, making him a unifying symbol of shared struggles and aspirations among ASEAN nations.
Next, Prof. Christie C. Amores presented her lecture titled “Negotiated Order and Financial Autonomy: The Future of Gender Equity in Domestic Economies.” She highlighted the critical intersections of gender, household economics, and empowerment, examining how financial autonomy can reshape gender roles within domestic spaces. Prof. Amores underscored the importance of promoting equitable systems that allow women to achieve financial independence, advancing not only gender equality but also sustainable socio-economic development.
The session concluded with Prof. Ivan Khalil L. Descartin, who tackled the timely issue of “Navigating Disinformation in the ASEAN Landscape.” His lecture explored the rapid spread of misinformation across digital platforms and its serious implications for peace, justice, and governance in the region. Prof. Descartin stressed the importance of strengthening media literacy, fostering critical thinking, and developing regional cooperation to effectively counter disinformation and safeguard democratic institutions.
This installment of the ASEAN Lecture Series reaffirmed Mapúa MCL’s dedication to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
