The University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) continues to contribute to the advancement of research and creative work by engaging with scholars and communities in Lupah Sug ( Sulu) through a series of academic and cultural exchanges on April 22-25, 2025.
During the International Conference on Sulu History and Power, hosted by the University of the Philippines (UP) held at Sumadja Hall, Bangkal, Patikul, Sulu, the USeP College of Arts and Sciences academic staff Sajed S. Ingilan and Francis N. Reginio engaged with government officials, local leaders, researchers, faculty members, and students. One of their activities was the dissemination and scholarly discussion of the publication titled Panumtuman: Anthology of Bangsamoro Literature in the 21st century, a Commission on Higher Education-funded project under the USeP Mindanao Center for Policy Studies.
Among the recipients who personally received the anthology were the 35th Sultan of Sulu His Royal Majesty Ampun Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram, UP Diliman Institute of Islamic Studies Dean Prof. Julkipli Wadi, Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy President Amina Rasul, UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies Executive Director Dr. Rosalie A. Hall, Mindanao State University (MSU) Sulu Chancellor Prof. Dr. Nagder Abdurahman, Sulu State College Dean of Student Affairs Firash Ututalum, MSU Tawi-tawi College of Technology and Oceanography Cultural Affairs Director Asst. Prof. Nelson Dino, Lupah Sug Provincial Library Head Ibnorasad Indal, and UP Diliman Asst. Prof. Abdulmari de Leon “Toym” Imao, Jr..
Nelson Dino, one of the recipients, shared, “ In Antoloji ini hambuuk kusug saminan sin tingug purna – timuntut magbalik sin panumtum iban pagpasambu sin dang pagbalikbatang labay daing ha suysuy, tarasul, iban pagdagayray, bang tungud mari kaku’ biyantuk sin Sululogy- tiranan natu’ magpahati daing ha kugbaya natu’. Sin waktu ku biyuklat in gikapan niya, piyagbalik-balikan daing ha hambuuk pa hambuuk gikap, kanananam ku in galak sin bangsa natu’- pali’, hikma, iban kahandak natu’ imaangan-angan ha isuk sin kahinnuk. In himpunan ini lampaw daing ha tupungan sin kasulatan; nahinang siya hambuuk panumbalik pa baran iban pa ginhawa natu”. (The Panumtuman Anthology is a powerful reflection of our vibrant voices- reclaiming memory and advancing decolonization through stories, poems, and essays shaped, for me, by Sululogy- our way of narrating from within. As I turned its pages, from one to another, I felt the pulse of our people- our wounds, wisdom, and will to dream beyond silence. This collection is beyond literature; it is a return to ourselves and to our souls.)
Ingilan and Reginio also conversed with MSU Sulu Vice Chancellor for Research, Development and Innovation Prof. Dr. Hannbal Bara for the release of his book, Sulu History, Society and Culture.
To enhance the book’s content and design, USeP Institute of Languages and Creative Arts Head Reginio discussed the editorial and publishing standards of National Book Development Board. As part of updating the book content, Ingilan and Reginio visited the Astana Darul Jambangan (Palace of the Sultan) in Maimbung, pis syabit weavers in Gimba Lagasan in Parang, and Sulu pakukus (bladed weapons) makers in Patikul.
Reginio recounted, “ During our fieldwork in Sulu, we visited cultural sites and observed local traditions that reflect the rich heritage of the Tau Sug. The newly built Astana Darul Jambangan in Maimbung highlights the continued importance of the Sultanate and traditional leadership within the community. In Gimba Lagasan, Parang, the weaving of pis syabit remains a vital practice that preserves cultural identity and craftsmanship across generations. In Patikul, the making of various Sulu pakukus, such as the kalis and barung, continues to be a meaningful craft that links the people to their history and values. And of course, the serene views, tempting sounds, and gentle sea breeze beckon you to swim and immerse yourself all day long. Through these visits, we gained a deeper understanding of how the Tausug people sustain their cultural pride and identity in everyday life, necessary in publishing credible works about them.
To disseminate works on Sulu, Ingilan and Reginio, SPJRD Chief Editor and Managing Editor, respectively, also extended print copies of the Southeastern Philippines Journal of Research and Development, the official research journal of USeP, to various HEIs in Lupah Sug, and Zamboanga, such as Western Mindanao State University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology, and Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University.
Ingilan expounded, “The SPJRD, a Q2 Scopus-indexed journal, champions works about our peoples in Sulu and Mindanao. Written by local researchers in partnership with international scholars, the articles in the SPJRD contribute to the development of positive discourse about us. I hope that our people will join us in writing and promoting our history and culture.”
Stressing the relevance of documentation of works on Sulu and Mindanao, Ateneo de Zamboanga Mindanao Institute Executive Director Floraime Pantaleta remarked, “We invite our writers and researchers to engage in the discursive creation and recreation as well as the critical interrogation of Mindanao through more peer-reviewed publications such as research and creative work. Beyond documentation, work like this supports intercultural and interfaith dialogue by providing a forum for close reading of each other’s realities and by inviting compassionate discussion of our differences.”
Committed to advancing inclusive research and creative work, USeP strives to do more projects to celebrate our rich history and cultural heritage.