2021. This year marks the 500th anniversary of Ferdinand Magellan’s “discovery” of what would come to be known as the Philippine archipelago on March 16, 1521. With this “discovery,” the Spanish crown would eventually claim the archipelago and bring civilisation to our dark shores.
Or so we have been taught in our schools and in our textbooks.
The Oxford Philippines Society invites you to join us in pushing back against this dominant narrative of discovery and civilisation. We will be launching a series of activities that seek to challenge how we think about the legacies of colonialism in the Philippines and beyond. We hope to hear from many of you and to learn from your various perspectives!
Art Competition
Send us your artwork (posters, comic strips, illustrations, etc.) and get the chance to win a £50 Amazon gift card! The winning entry will be featured on our website and social media platforms.
THEME: Decolonising the Story of 1521: Legacies of Collaboration and Resistance
Please send your questions and entries to philippines.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk until May 15, 2021.
Essay Collection
We invite you to send your short essays for an online essay collection entitled, “Decolonising the Story of 1521: Critical Perspectives and Calls to Action.” We hope to read about your thoughts on the legacies of colonialism in the Philippines and beyond – particularly, in your various fields of research and expertise.
We will be publicising your contributions on our website and social media platforms as we receive them, and we will promote the compilation at the end of the year. Please send your questions and contributions (400 to 500 words) to philippines.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk. Entries should be accompanied by a short profile of the author. (The author may send a photo for use in the compilation if they so desire.)
View essay entries
OxPinoy Podcast
The Oxford Philippines Society will be inviting guests to speak on the legacies of colonialism in the Philippines and beyond in the fields of on science, history, law, and politics, among others.
We would also love to hear your perspectives! If you would like to participate in a podcast on decolonisation, please write us at philippines.society@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk.