In a continued effort to foster cross-cultural dialogue and artistic exchange, students and educators from the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), Meiji University, and Kansai University came together for a two-part collaboration series under the Philippines and Japan Collaboration and Exchange 2025 initiative.
Spearheaded by the Education Committee of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) student organization, Kathaang Ugnayan ng Likhain, Talastasan, Obra’t Ulat (KultOU), the events showcased creative workshops and research presentations that highlighted the transformative power of the arts in building mutual understanding.
When Fashion Meets Poetry: Meiji and UPOU Students Share Creative Spaces
On 10 May 2025, students from the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) and Meiji University came together for a day of creative collaboration and cultural exchange through a series of online workshops. The event was jointly organized by Kathaang Ugnayan ng Likhain, Talastasan, Obra’t Ulat (KultOU), a student organization from UPOU.
The event featured two online workshops focused on artistic and expressive practices. Held via Zoom and Magma, a real-time collaborative drawing platform, these sessions encouraged creativity and cross-cultural dialogue. The first workshop, led by Meiji University students, Haruka Sato and Ayane Nanjo, explored fashion and make-up as forms of self-expression and cultural storytelling. Participants had the chance to observe techniques and share insights on style trends from both Filipino and Japanese perspectives.
The second workshop, facilitated by KultOU’s own John Lloyd Avenido, delved into Generative Poetry—a creative writing practice that merges algorithmic thinking with poetic sensibility. Attendees were encouraged to experiment with words and structure, highlighting how digital tools can expand the boundaries of literature and imagination.
In preparation for the event, Maria Lourdes Bantigue, head of the KultOU education committee, provided key support in overseeing logistical arrangements, while John Lloyd Avenido coordinated with the guest speakers from Japan to ensure a smooth and meaningful exchange. Members of KultOU actively participated in the sessions, joined by a special guest from Japan, Mitsuki Egawa, whose presence added to the international spirit of the event.
The workshops fostered shared creativity and meaningful cross-cultural dialogue among all participants. Through this initiative, Meiji University and UPOU reaffirmed their commitment to nurturing global partnerships and student-led innovation in the arts.
Arts as Dialogue: Cultivating Cross-Cultural Understanding Through Research
Another knowledge exchange event was organized and conducted on 29 May 2025, this time between UPOU KultOU and Kansai University (KU) students and educators. The virtual collaboration highlighted arts-based research and interdisciplinary dialogue among emerging scholars and creatives.
The first part of the event featured the Kawashima Seminar, led by Kansai University Associate Professor Yuko Kawashima, who introduced KultOU members to the concept of arts-based research and shared insights from her ongoing work with students in documentary theater. Her presentation underscored the importance of performance and narrative as tools for critical inquiry and social engagement.
The second segment of the program was a research exchange, where 10 KultOU students (with one undergraduate observer) and 11 KU students (with two observers and one graduate assistant) were grouped into three research clusters:
- Photography
- Narrative and Visual Voices
- Expressive Arts and Inclusion
Each group was co-facilitated by students from both institutions. In the Photography Group, KU’s Ryoma Hiraki and UPOU’s Lara Althea Garrido and Maria Lourdes Bantigue guided discussions on visual identity, character, and the use of photography to represent social issues such as poverty and gender.
In the Narrative and Visual Voices Group, KU’s Ryoyu Yokohama and UPOU’s John Lloyd Avenido led exchanges around storytelling through comics and drawing, with themes ranging from self and family narratives to gender issues. KultOU members shared their work on arts and writing projects addressing health, climate, and other pressing social concerns.
The Expressive Arts and Inclusion Group, facilitated by KU’s Jun and UPOU’s Flynn Gonzaga, explored the use of dance, video, and audio in conversations around disability and political correctness. UPOU students contributed to discussions on inclusive design in games, performative arts, and community engagement through movement and music.
The activity served not only as a platform for presenting research but also as a space for intercultural dialogue and collaborative learning between students passionate about the intersections of art, research, and social transformation.
These events represent a meaningful milestone in international academic and creative collaboration. Both KultOU and Kansai University expressed enthusiasm for strengthening their partnership in future initiatives.
Written by: Joy Abigail Rebulanan | Edited by: Shari Eunice San Pablo