The University of San Carlos, through its Research, Development, Extension, and Publications Office (RDEPO), successfully hosted the 10th University Research Conference (URC 2026) from April 23 to 24, 2026. Held at the Fr. Michael Richartz Conference Center in Talamban Campus, multidisciplinary researchers gathered to address the silos and bridge the gap between creativity and research to catalyze innovation for the future.
Parallel sessions, featuring 10 documentary films and 33 oral papers, were held at the Richartz Hall, SAFAD Theater, and Rigney Hall in USC Talamban Campus.
This year’s URC was held in conjunction with the SAFAD Design Week, hence the theme “Creativity and Knowledge: University as a Catalyst of Innovation,” which underscored the academe’s pivotal role in transforming theoretical knowledge into creative solutions for the modern world.
Significantly, the URC served as a vital platform for researchers—not only from the University of San Carlos but also from other higher education institutions—to converge and exchange data-driven insights aimed at building a more sustainable future. Every abstract presented during the two-day event showcased high-caliber academic inquiry, reflecting the participants’ commitment to addressing societal needs.
While the deliberation process was rigorous and demanding, it highlighted the exceptional quality of work produced by the researchers. The University is doing its best to support these researchers in scaling their findings to ensure that their work makes a tangible difference in the community and the global landscape.
We are proud of the success of our outstanding scholars who were recognized for their dedication and excellence during the concluding awards ceremony.
The conference was deeply enriched by our keynote speaker from the Tao Foundation for Culture and the Arts, Dr. Grace Nono. She presented her evocative essay film, “Huyong-Huyong,” which served as a powerful call for decolonization and a deeper connection with indigenous roots. In an age of rapid globalization, Dr. Nono emphasized the importance of preserving our cultural identity and traditions, which have been continuously reshaped since the colonial era. Her presentation advocated for the “healing of hurts” through sincere interreligious dialogues, reminding the audience that true progress must be inclusive of our ancestral wisdom.
Returning for his second URC after delivering the keynote for URC 2017, Dr. Ambeth Ocampo opened the second day of URC 2026 with a fresh perspective on Philippine history. In his keynote lecture, “The Ghost in the Archive: Creativity and Artificial History,” Dr. Ocampo explored the fascinating parallels between two Joses: the national hero Jose Rizal and the notorious forger Jose Marco. He juxtaposed their accounts to show how history can be crafted; while Rizal utilized his perspective to inspire a movement for freedom, Marco provided the sensationalized narratives the public wanted to hear. By distinguishing factually valid events from historical fabrications, Dr. Ocampo challenged the audience to look closer at the archives. For those who missed this enlightening session, the full discussion is available on our recorded live feed.
We were also honored to host Dr. Csaba Gyuricza from the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE). By sharing MATE’s successful research strategies, he offered invaluable perspectives on global sustainability. USC is looking forward to integrating these creative methodologies into our future developmental goals.
We were privileged to gain a comprehensive view of the creative industry from an esteemed panel of experts, including Butch Carungay (Private Sector Lead, Cebu UNESCO City of Design), Leeroy New (contemporary artist), Toym Imao (Dean, UP College of Fine Arts), Lawrence Panganiban (President, Cebu Creative Entertainment Council), and Bryll Yu (Senior Trade-Industry Development Specialist, DTI-7). The panel discussion was moderated by Hannah Lim-Escaño (Principal Interior Designer, HL Designs) and Dr. Adrian del Monte (Dean, USC School of Architecture, Fine Arts, and Design). Their presence provided a rare opportunity to bridge the gap between academic research and industry practice.
During the discussions, several key milestones for the Philippine creative industry were highlighted. The panel noted that while the creative sector is actively working to integrate arts more deeply into the national curricula, there is a pressing need for stronger, more consistent government support to sustain this growth. It was emphasized that the creative industry is a massive economic driver, providing tons of jobs for millions of Filipinos in diverse fields such as the abaca industry, carpentry, marketing, and the burgeoning SME sector.
The subsequent discussion delved into the “Three Ps” of the industry: Policy, Practice, and Pedagogy. Against the backdrop of modern challenges like global conflict and climate change, the experts discussed how the arts serve as a vital coping mechanism. Lawrence Panganiban noted that in times of crisis, people instinctively turn to art and media—watching movies and consuming creative content—for comfort and clarity.
For the first time in its history, URC 2026 includes an abstract that was presented entirely in Cebuano. Authored by Radel Paredes of the USC Department of Fine Arts, the paper, “Ang kabubot-on luyo sa alampat: Pagtuki sa mugna ni Gerald Ismael ‘G.I.’ Pongase pinaagi sa estetika ni Arthur Schopenhauer,” marked a significant step in elevating the local language within formal academic discourse.
Congratulations to Kurht-Daniel C. Liston, who was named BEST POSTER PRESENTER for his study on the bioactivity of endophytic Streptomyces spp. isolated from Sonneratia caseolaris. In the Graduate Category, Precious Julia Ablir earned the title of BEST ORAL PRESENTER for her innovative work on the development of a microplastic sampling robot using a Voith Schneider propeller. The Undergraduate Category saw a remarkable tie for BEST ORAL PRESENTER between Alyssa Kate A. Angalot, for her exploration of “monstrous femininity” in Cebuano horror fiction, and Mel Francis B. Amadora, for his insightful study on queer spaces within Philippine children’s literature.
In his welcome remarks, Fr. Jesuraj Anthoniappen, SVD, Ph.D. (USC Vice President for Academic Affairs), spoke on the intersection of art and discipline. He described creativity as a transformative force that shapes community identity and fuels innovation, keeping the world in constant motion. Fr. Anthoniappen also emphasized that everyone was gathered with a singular purpose: to understand how research and creativity can work hand-in-hand to secure a sustainable future and better navigate the complexities of our history and present.
Finally, we express our deepest gratitude to our University President, Fr. Francisco Antonio T. Estepa, SVD, Ph.D., for delivering his State of the University Address, where he painted a vivid and inspiring picture of USC’s journey. As he recounted the Carolinians’ recent triumphs and milestones, the hall erupted in thunderous applause. It was a moment of profound unity, as friends, classmates, and colleagues celebrated shared successes, reaffirming the University’s commitment to sustained excellence and its mission as a catalyst for meaningful change.
Through this gathering, scientists and artists sit down to address the silos and break down the walls that hinder interdisciplinary collaboration.
After all, researchers from the scientific community and the creative industry could find a common thread in addressing the world’s cross-sectoral needs.
This milestone would not have been possible without the visionary leadership of Dr. Patrick John Lim (Director, RDEPO) and the entire RDEPO staff, the University Research Committee, post-doctoral fellows, and research assistants. Their commitment was the driving force behind this year’s success.
To our participants, organizers, and gold sponsors: Gloster Digital Group, Kenneth Cobonpue, MegaTEXTS Phil., Inc., Rococo, and SkanLog, thank you for being part of this journey.
See you next year, Carolinians!