A collection of essays on Filipino identity by Fernando Zialcita

QUEZON CITY – Vibal Foundation is proud to announce the launch of Insular Yet Global: Selected Essays of Fernando Zialcita, a compelling collection that delves into the intricacies of Filipino identity. This book features 13 insightful essays that dissect the dualities of cultural identity, exploring themes of community, values, and the influences that shape our society.

Copies of Dr. Zialcita’s book Insular Yet Global: Selected Essays of Fernando Zialcita, were presented to selected guests at the launching held yesterday at the Ateneo Art Gallery, Ateneo de Manila University, in Quezon City (from left): Ms. Kristine E. Mandigma, Executive Director of Vibal Foundation; Dr. Caroline Marie Q. Lising from the Anthropological and Sociological Initiatives of the Ateneo (ASIA); esteemed author and heritage advocate Felice Sta. Maria; the author Dr. Butch Zialcita; Dr. Czarina A. Saloma-Akpedonu, Dean of the Dr. Rosita G. Leong School of Social Sciences; and Dr. Melissa Q. Navarra, Acting Chair and Assistant Professor from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology

The launching program was held at the Ben Chan ArtSuite of Ateneo Art Gallery in Ateneo de Manila University last March 11, 2025.

Dr. Fernando “Butch” Nakpil-Zialcita, a distinguished figure in the fields of anthropology and cultural history, obtained his MA in Philosophy from Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), and both his MA and PhD in Anthropology from the University of Hawaii. He is currently a professor emeritus at the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at ADMU and is the director of the Cultural Heritage Studies Program. His extensive body of work includes books focused on architectural heritage, cultural identity, and food heritage.

Insular Yet Global: Selected Essays of Fernando Zialcita encompasses articles that explain the meanings behind Filipino community life, examining both foreign and local influences on culture and heritage. The essays are thoughtfully organized into three chapters:

1. For the Self? Or For the Community? – This section explores the Filipino or Asian views of community, contrasting values, and the tension between individualism and community-orientedness that may have been overshadowed by Westernization.

2. Affirm the Hispanic Element? Or Deny It? – Here, Dr. Zialcita reflects on the Spanish period as a “long midnight” that, though complex in its influence, contributed significantly to our social fabric through various celebrations and cultural legacies. He encourages readers to adopt a balanced view of Spanish colonialism to foster a deeper understanding of Filipino identity. Included in this chapter are reflections and interpretations of the Filipino identity by Father Horacio de la Costa, and National Artist for Literature, Nick Joaquin’s view on Hispanism, and how the Philippines came to be aboard the galleon trade.

3. Interplays: Inside vs. Outside, Local vs. Global – This chapter is filled with comparisons that help reconcile two contrasting views: through the globalization introduced during the galleon trades, through savoring local cuisines, through the popular religiosity and favors granted that is attributed to powerful, dark-skinned Catholic patron saints, to visualizing and interpreting the Southeast Asian house the Filipino way.

Dr. Zialcita emphasizes the importance of the Filipino identity as inherently “insular yet global,” illustrating how Filipinos are increasingly recognized on the world stage. This collection serves as a vital resource for students of culture, heritage, and sociology, providing a comprehensive introduction to the significant contributions of this esteemed anthropologist and cultural historian.
Published by Vibal Foundation under its Academica Filipina+ imprint, Insular Yet Global: Selected Essays of Fernando Zialcita is set to enrich discussions around cultural dualism and the complexities of Filipino identity.