Resilience 2023: The first conference and workshop by Women Doing Philosophy
Issue no. 33
By Angela Iglesia
Angela Iglesia is a junior philosophy student at University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) and a member of the UPLB Sophia Circle.
The month of May saw the fruitful collaboration of Women Doing Philosophy (WDP), the UPLB Philosophy Division, and the University of Connecticut finally having an on-ground and face-to-face conference and workshop. Funded by a grant from UCONN College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (CLAS DEI), Resilience: A Workshop for Women doing Philosophy has concluded in the University of the Philippines Los Baños.
“The conference, without question, is the first of its kind in the Philippines,” Dr. Tracy Ann Llanera, Assistant Professor from the philosophy division of University of Connecticut, said in her welcome remarks. The project, she continued, is “designed to feature the work of recent PHDs and foster mentoring relationships with Filipina philosophers” along with developing fellowship with people in the field.
A salo-salo preceded the official program and took place the day before the conference. Being able to join intellectual people was such a treat! It was a great way to warm up to the commentators, speakers, and audience alike participating from various universities around the country. The intimate meet-and-greet also served as an avenue for everyone to introduce their backgrounds and their differing interests and specialty in philosophy.
On the morning of May 27, the workshop officially started. To say that the very first day was jam-packed with knowledge and wisdom would be an understatement. The first four sessions were dedicated to clearing the concept of resilience in various contexts and relating them to real life experiences. Then, after a much-needed break filled with delicious food and snacks, the day ended with a plenary from Dr. Rowena Azada-Palacios (University College London and Ateneo de Manila University) on the subject of academic citizenship. The subject was so interesting and complex that even after almost an hour of open discussion, the questions were just not stopping!
The second day started on a peaceful Sunday in a meeting room beside an iconic quaint coffee-shop and bakery just outside the university premises. Everyone was encouraged to dress in Filipiniana to really set the mood. Perhaps not so coincidentally, this is also the day we found out that one of the esteemed speakers, Dr. Jacklyn Cleofas (UPLB), is a descendant of Tandang Sora, one of the few renowned Filipina heroes celebrated in Philippine history.
There were six paper presentations on resilience delivered on Day 2. Like the previous day, the sessions evoked so much thought and emotions. One highlight of the day was Dr. Cleofas's piece “Can Brown Women be First-rate Philosophers?” Though she started her presentation in a lighthearted manner, her story about the paper’s motivations were anything but any. Dr. Cleofas shared that throughout her career, it was implied that one must be an “honorary man” to thrive in the field of philosophy. And one such woman given the title of an honorary man is Dr. Cleofas herself. Many conference participants have much to say about this prejudice.
Commentator Agatha Amul says, “Some of my favorite moments in the workshop include Doc Jack's (Dr. Cleofas) presentation and the two commentaries on her paper. As well as my own commentary of course!”
Agatha and Chiara Tubig are undergraduate students from UPLB who critiqued Ms. Ma. Cassandra Teodosio’s (UPLB) “On the Founding of Women Doing Philosophy”. They questioned the boundaries of exclusivity of genders as well as how these boundaries play a role in delivering philosophy to a broader audience.
The third day had considerably less sessions than the preceding two. The morning started with a meeting of the members of WDP for bylaws consultation. The succeeding two sessions by UP system faculty and authors Ms. Marga Taganas (UPLB) and Ms. Kelly Louise Rexzy Agra (University College Dublin and University of the Philippines-Baguio) focused on socio-politically charged perspectives of resilience. They talked about heavy, and may be triggering, intricate subjects. Ms. Taganas focused on resilience within the context of rape and rape culture in the Philippines. On the other hand, Ms. Agra focused on resilience within the context of neoliberalism in a capitalistic world.
Two plenary lectures of specialized philosophy were scheduled following these sessions. Dr. Elaina Gauthier Mamaril (University of Edinburgh) delivered a lecture on “Crip Resilience and Filipino Relational Values.” Sadly, the presentation on "‘Freedom in’: a Daoist Response to Isaiah Berlin" by Dr. Christine Tan (Yale - NUS College, Singapore) did not proceed due to Internet difficulties.
The fourth and last day peacefully went through with an insightful synthesis, a closing program, the distribution of certificates, and delightful chatters over a fulfilling variety of refreshments.
The conference in its entirety was a celebration, a remembrance, and an opportunity. A celebration of thriving women finally getting their well-deserved space. A remembrance of a time when they didn’t have, or rather, were denied, their space. And an opportunity to further flourish as philosophers in that space.
Going into the field of Philosophy, I never truly felt that my womanhood is something that may restrict me from prospering. I go to classes in high heeled boots in sometimes too-long or too-short varieties of colorful dresses; something that is stereotypically feminine. I participate in various philosophical discourses with men, women, and everything beyond and in between who have much to add to the discussions. I do all of these without fear because I believe I am in a space conducive to thriving.
A space I now realize only made possible by the wonderful women who came before me. Women who fought and continue to fight for the fairness previously obstructed by particular biological characteristics.
To my absolute pleasure, I shared a space with these very women in this conference. Indulging in a camaraderie of unique perspectives like no other. Immersing myself in an atmosphere overflowing with gentle kindness.
Assistant Professor Ian Lomongo (UPLB), one of the few men who were present throughout the conference, shared how the conference further pushed him to reflect on his own experiences in the field. In fact, he mentioned how Ms. Taganas had inspired him to include philosophers like Julia Kristeva in UPLB’s Semiotic Course Module which he handles. This is because there is a regrettable lack of women philosophers in the previous modules
It would not only be him leaving the workshop premises with more to ponder. By the end of the conference, the horizon of resilience had opened up to significantly more complex discussions, which we also will pursue towards greater understanding of the subject.
This conference workshop may have been the first installment of its kind but surely it will not be the last. With so many more topics to philosophize about and people to meet in the field, we look towards the future with excitement.