Recent
Research & Projects
Explore the context and background of my latest academic research and archaeological contributions. Below are key highlights of my recent work:
Israel (2023)
Hazor Lower City Excavation
(University of Haifa)
The participation in the archaeological excavation at Tel Hazor, Israel’s largest and most significant Bronze Age site, involved gaining direct experience in critical excavation techniques, ceramic typology, stratigraphy, and material culture analysis under the guidance of Dr. Shlomit Bechar from the University of Haifa. This hands-on fieldwork provided valuable insights into the socio-political and cultural contexts of ancient Levantine societies and their interaction with Biblical traditions. The project underscored the significance of integrating archaeology and textual studies, fostering an enriched understanding of identity, memory, and cross-cultural interactions in antiquity.
Cambridge (2021)
Baybayin: The Role of a Written Language in the Cultural Identity and Socio-Psychological WellBeing of Filipinos
(Harvard University)
Abstract
Colonial mentality and the growing dominance of global cultures continue to challenge Filipino identity. This study investigates the Baybayin writing system’s role in shaping cultural identity and the socio-psychological well-being of Filipinos. Using phenomenological methods, participants' insights were analyzed through horizontalization, revealing three key themes: 1) Baybayin serves as a national cultural symbol, 2) it fosters communal pride and social connection among Filipinos worldwide, and 3) it provides emotional expression and psychological upliftment. The research highlights Baybayin’s profound impact on the diaspora of advocates, artists, and scholars, while calling for further studies on its significance to groups like the Mangyan tribes of Mindoro.
Two Lover's Point, Guam
Guam (2019)
Relationships: On Ethnic Identity & Intermarriage
(Harvard University)
This paper investigates the relationship between ethnic identity and support for intermarriage across different racial or ethnic groups. Using a qualitative approach, it conducts in-person interviews with millennial Filipino Christians of varying genders to examine whether low levels of ethnic identity or weak connections to one’s ethnic group correlate with greater support for intermarriage. Additionally, the study explores gender-based differences in attitudes toward the relationship between ethnic identity and support for intermarriage. Finally, this research offers insights and recommendations for future studies on the impact of intermarriage on the preservation of ethnic identity post-marriage.
Cambridge (2018)
The Impact of Colonization on Mesoamerican Culture: a focus on Diet, Language, and Literature
(Harvard University)
While many studies highlight the valuable aspects of cultural intermingling, such as the expansion of food choices and the diversification of indigenous Mesoamerican diets during Spanish colonization, these benefits cannot outweigh the profound loss of cultural heritage, including native languages and literature. Furthermore, we cannot fully trust that the cultural damages endured by indigenous peoples are accurately documented in the colonizers' accounts and records, as these narratives are often shaped by an attitude of superiority and driven by self-serving agendas.
