With the theme Herstories and Histories of Diversity: Narrating (Im) migrants and Multiple Lives and Engaging the Community from the Margins, Saint Louis University (SLU) participated in the 18th NAKEM International Conference and Cultural Night at Newark-Fremont, California, USA. This year’s conference was hosted by NAKEM (National Alliance for Knowledge, Empowerment, and Meaning) on 15 to 17 November 2023 at DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton Newark, CA. Along with NAKEM International and NAKEM Without Borders, the conference was co-organized by NAKEM organizations from the Philippines, Canada, and Hawaii.
NAKEM is derived from the Ilokano root word ‘nakem’, which signifies critical consciousness, wisdom, knowledge, free will, intention, and one’s worth. The acronym symbolizes the vision, mission, and values of the NAKEM Conferences organization, recognizing the enduring ramifications of colonialism in the Philippines, the inequities in cultural education, and the language development that flowed through it. They aim to pursue advocacy and programs in the areas of linguistic justice, cultural democracy, and emancipatory education.
DAY 1
On 15 November, the morning session commenced through an opening program at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton Plenary Hall. After the presentation of delegates from other NAKEM groups and the book launch of Dr. Nora Oredina, Vice Chair, NAKEM 2023 Conference Committee, a Cordilleran Dance was performed by SLU delegates led by Dr. Felina Espique, Vice President for Academic Affairs.
The plenary sessions then commenced, administered by Dr. Espique Dr. Rhonda Padilla, President Panpacific University, and Dr. Arcelita Imasa, Primary Health Care Doctor/National Alliance for Filipino Concerns.
Dr. Espique presented her study on History, Social Structure and Identity in Kalanguya Culture and Language: An Ethnolinguistic Study, which analyzed the history, social structure, social identity, and language situation of the Kalanguya-speaking communities in the Province of Benguet, Philippines. Using ethnolinguistic research design, it was found that the Kalanguya people, whose language is also called Kalanguya, trace their roots to Ahin, Tinoc, Ifugao. Her study further aimed to work on the sustainability of the Kalanguya Language, in which the importance of preserving their culture while embracing the advent of modernization was highlighted.
During the afternoon session, the participants went into breakout sessions where Dr. Teresita D. Ignacio presented her study titled Learning at Home During COVID 19: Lived Experiences of Parents of Children With Special Education Needs. It was about the sudden shift of education modality from face to face to distance education caused by the closure of schools during COVID-19 pandemic and changes in the roles of the stakeholders, particularly the parents.
DAY 2
The second day included a paper presentation by Dr. Mary Ann U. Albert. Titled, A Northern Philippine Language (Salegses) from an Ecolinguistics Perspective, her study aimed to identify the attitude of the Salegseg locals toward their language to distinguish themselves from other people. The study is a qualitative survey, employing an ethnographic design. The findings implied that the locals’ attitude regarding their language is geared toward a positive direction and that there is intimacy in the language in terms of solidarity, shared values and beliefs, friendship, and respect.
Dr. Sheila Marie C. Magat also presented her study titled Pre-service English Teachers’ Perception of Translanguaging in Facilitating Classes that determined how translanguaging is perceived within the classroom. It offered an in-depth understanding of translanguaging as a pedagogical tool for practice teachers enhancing lessons in non-native classrooms, which can help teachers and students have an equitable and fruitful teaching-learning.
In the afternoon session, Dr. Marinel L. Piamonte and Carmelita B. Carmato shared their study on Surfacing the Interaction of Ilokano with Heritage Languages (HLs) and the MTB-MLE Paradox that centered on the role of lingua franca in the learning of heritage language (HLs) through the implementation of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) in the Philippines.
This was followed by Ms. Melony Bartolome Sao-an’s study on Language Attitude Towards the Shift in the Language of Instruction, a qualitative case study intended to determine the attitude of teachers towards the transition or shift in the language of instruction (LOI), that is, from the mother tongue to English, how attitude affects learning, and what instructional tool could be developed to aid in the transition in the language of instruction.
In the succeeding session, Dr. Gilbert Allan N. Dispo and Dr. Shiela Marie Magat tackled the Lived Experiences of Students with Visual Impairment in Virtual Physical Education Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic, a research that aimed to surface the lived experiences of students with visual impairment in virtual Physical Education (PE) learning in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. In-depth interviews were utilized in this interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to explore the participants’ lived experiences in the particular approach during the pandemic. The study serves as a basis for the stakeholders to formulate appropriate and suitable guidelines for the implementation of virtual PE learning for students with visual impairment.
Dr. Freda B. Paulino presented her study on The Digital Information Literacy of Teacher Education and Communication Studies. The study determined the proficiency level of Education and Communication students on the five competencies of digital information literacy (DIL), namely 1) information and data literacy, 2) communication and collaboration 3) digital content creation, 4) online safety, 5) and problem-solving. To help address students’ needs in enhancing their DIL competencies, appropriate programs in the curriculum must be designed and implemented.
DAY 3
During the last day of conference on 17 November, Ms. Caroline Cabading, Executive Director Manilatown Heritage Foundation facilitated the plenary session in the morning.
Dr. Dispo moderated the Parallel Session 9, Breakout 2: Cluster B. Whereas, Dr. Magat was the moderator for Breakout 3: Cluster C.
In addition Dr. Danilo S. Alterado, presented his study titled Ethics and the Obligation to Produce Knowledge for People Development and Community Empowerment. He argued that the production of knowledge is not only an ethical thing to do but a commitment – a duty – aimed at the work of people development and community empowerment. Real knowledge, thus, is for people, for communities, for social change, social development, and for the enrichment of that habit of the mind includes others, engages causes, and expands understanding of the things that matter to the self as it is to societies.
After the presentations of research papers, an open forum was conducted at the Plenary Hall.
To close the ceremony of the three-day conference, all the attendees were invited to the Banquet Hall for the Celebrations/Ramrambak: Cultural Night and Scholarship Banquet.
