Research Institute for Culture and Language

The Research Institute for Culture and Language fosters research and/or research-based and workshop-led outputs and activities across divisional and disciplinary boundaries.  The Institute promotes and engages with interpretative (or hermeneutic), historical, social and political research as well as theoretical works in the Arts and allied disciplines.

The major areas of study in the Institute generally include philosophy, arts and humanities, sociology, social history, politics, anthropology, culture and literature.  The RICL highlights, interprets and often tries to interrogate current theoretical frames and contemporary social conditions through research and creative production.  The RICL newest initiatives and directions are in the fields of literary practice and language studies

Message from the Director

The Research Institute for Culture and Language (RICL) of the Office of the Vice President for Research, Extension, Planning and Development had gone through a lot of changes since its inception in 1986.  These changes certainly contributed to the blossoming of an Institute that accentuates the importance of theoretical, philosophical and analytical reading of history, culture, arts, society and politics.         

The Institute was built, cultivated and developed by the people whose intellectual contributions to the ever-expanding body of knowledge in the fields of philosophy, history, sociology, literature, aesthetics, anthropology, culture and politics are undeniably important. 

The Research Institute is far from what it is today without the efforts of intellectual and literary giants who steered the Institute at various moments of its history.  People like Dr. Nemesio E. Prudente (President Emeritus of the University/Founding Director of the defunct ISH), Prof. Domingo C. De Guzman (Palanca Laureate/Long-time Director), Prof. Virgilio A. Rivas (distinguished Filipino philosopher and writer/Former Director) and other personalities whose contributions to the growth of the Research Institute were securely etched in its history.

The Research Institute will continuously maintain its course.  To veer away from the original objectives of its establishment would never happen. RICL shall continue to deliver academic and research services to its clientele through seminars, lectures, research capability building activities, research production and dissemination, journal publication, academic networking, and others.  It shall continue to motivate the students, researchers and faculty members to participate in intellectual discourses relating to various disciplines that the Institute endeavours to explore. 

Should there be any help that the RICL can provide, feel free to contact the management of the Institute and we are willing to serve you. 

God bless. 

Joseph Reylan Viray
Director

RICL Centers

Center for Philippine Studies

The Center fosters researches and workshop-led activities in Philippine Studies emphasizing interdisciplinarity approach.

It shall:

1. forge partnerships for research collaborations and other related engagements with reputable institutions that also foster Philippine Studies;
2. intensify production, presentation and publication of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research on Philippine identities and applied research that focuses on Philippine realities;
3. become a National Center for Philippine Studies, which will bring together researchers and scholars interested in the study of Philippine social and cultural history and traditions and promotes mutual awareness among the people of the world through the Center's activities such as research conferences, lectures, workshops, seminars and training;
4. establish repository of research and creative production on Philippine Studies that will be accessible and beneficial to the public;
5. make the Center's resources available to any Philippine government agencies and to serve as reference for policy-making and laws for Filipino people; and
6. establish research prize and researcher exchange programs in Philippine Studies and associated disciplines.

Center for Creative Writing

This Center fosters researches and workshop-led activities in creative works, such as writing, literary criticism, visual and performing arts, film and film criticism; also critical thinking, and theoretical seminars in upgrading conceptual tools for enhancing creative and research craft. 

It shall:

1. Foster research and workshop-led activities in creative writing;
2. Conduct seminars and trainings to hone creative writing skills of budding student and faculty writers;
3. Cultivate creative writing not only as an art but also as a research craft;
4. Serve as a conduit of the University with institutions and organizations (e.g National Commission for Culture and the Arts, National Book Development Book, etc.) concerning programs and projects that are centered on creative writing;
5. Publish creative outputs of PUP- bred writers and other significant and nationally/internationally renowned writers and scholars; and
6. Periodically publish the Entrada Journal.

Center for Humanities and Philosophy

This Center fosters research in philosophical aesthetic and/or theoretical and methodological experimentations on various approaches on themes, issues and topics across the disciplines of philosophy and humanities. 

It shall:

1. Foster research in philosophy, aesthetics, sociology, and other theoretical and methodological experimentations on various approaches, issues and topics across the disciplines of Philosophy and Humanities;
2. Conduct research capability seminars and trainings that are meant to cultivate research interest on Philosophy and Humanities and other related fields;
3. Publish journals (e.g Mabini Review) and other academic publication (e.g books, etc.) that promote among scholars and thinkers in the university the importance of the philosophy and humanities;
4. Facilitate workshops that are calculated to produce qualitative researches that would contribute to the growing body of knowledge on the speculative disciplines of philosophy and humanities;
5. Forge links and networks with national and international academic institutions and professional organizations in philosophy and humanities; and
6. Provide expert and academic opinions on issues and concerns that are expected to contribute to national and international policy development.

Center for Translation

This Center fosters research, workshops, and other activities which promote translation and translation studies.

The Center shall:

1.  organize research capability building on translation studies;
2. provide seminar, lectures and training programs on translation;
3. conduct research on translation studies;
4. establish and strengthen linkage with offices, colleges and departments through translating important documents required in bringing knowledge to the community in the form of extension service; and
5. offer translation and evaluation of translation service for public and private industries and/or agencies that will serve as recourse.

Center for Language and Literature Studies

This Center shall be the venue for the newest initiatives and directions of ICLS - the literary and language studies.

It shall:

1. Undertake a comprehensive training and workshop in the areas of translation and language studies;
2. Publish literary works written in various regional dialects and other interesting and insightful outputs;
3. Vitalize studies and research on literature from the regional, national to international levels;
4. Conduct forum, conferences and trainings related to theory and philosophy of literature and literary criticism; and
5. Provide translation services