Showcasing its continued pursuit of excellence, the University of Baguio actively participated in the ASEAN Language and Culture Exchange (LACE), a month-long virtual internationalization program that promotes intercultural dialogue, language appreciation, and people-to-people connectivity among students from ASEAN Higher Education Institutions.
Alongside ASEAN LACE was the ASEAN Campus Cross Chat (ACross), where student participants were grouped into teams and collaborated through WhatsApp. The activity encouraged them to build cross-cultural friendships, share experiences and perspectives, identify cultural similarities and differences, and develop an intercultural presentation for the culminating program.
Hosted by Ifugao State University, with the institution’s participation coordinated by the Linkages Office, the virtual sessions ran from August 12 to September 4, 2026, across six sessions. Participating students explored the languages and cultures of Southeast Asia: Indonesia (Bahasa, Javanese), Northeastern Thailand (Lao), Cambodia (Khmer), Vietnam (Vietnamese), Filipino (Tagalog), China (Mandarin), Myanmar (Burmese), Portugal/Timor-Leste (Tetum/Portuguese), and Malaysia (Malay/Austronesian), each paired with lessons on local traditions, delicacies, and student life from the featured countries.
2026 ASEAN LACE and ACross: Culture and Language Appreciation
The ASEAN LACE experience also led to the 3rd ASEAN Fusion: ASEAN Booth Open House, which was scheduled for September 3, 2026. The event featured ASEAN booths showcasing the cultures and traditions of member states, cultural performances, college busking, and opportunities to learn, engage, and connect through cultural exchange.
Students from various departments represented the university throughout the program. Among them were Ms. Erika Latawan and Ms. Shannia Sanidad from the School of Information Technology; Ms. Jilliane Agtulao from the School of Engineering and Architecture; Ms. Precious Cayat from the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts; and Mr. Royce Vincent Alangsab from the School of International Hospitality and Tourism Management. They were accompanied by Mr. Zhein Carlo Molina of the Office of Student Affairs.
The opening session, which centered on Indonesian culture, introduced delegates to core cultural pillars such as gotong royong (mutual cooperation), Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (“Unity in Diversity,” the national motto), and Indonesian politeness norms. Students also practiced essential Bahasa Indonesia vocabulary, from family terms to common active and passive verbs, under the guidance of the session’s facilitator. For the Philippines’ featured session, representatives from the institution were paired with students from Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) to exchange insights on the Filipino language and culture.
Alt Text: Official student delegates from the University of Baguio participating in the 2026 ASEAN LACE and ACross Cultural session hosted by Ifugao State University (IFSU)
One of the esteemed student participants, Ms. Jilliane Agtulao, shared that the session encouraged them to be curious and to seek answers to what they do not yet understand about other cultures. It also reminded her that even simple things such as food and everyday traditions can carry meaning. As Filipinos, we often use the word “sayang” when something is wasted or left behind, which reminded me to appreciate the opportunities and experiences the program has given us.
One of Ms. Agtulao’s memorable sessions was the cross-cultural language-learning session with the delegation from Timor-Leste. The delegates learned about the culture, traditions, heritage, and languages, including Tetum and Portuguese. During the session, they were taught a song: “Mai Fali E, Fila Fale E, Mama Bolu Ita Fali E,” translated into English as “Come back, Mom calls us to come back.”
She shared that although the song was simple, its meaning carried a deeper emotion that touched my heart. It expressed longing, love, and the desire to return home to someone waiting for you. Hearing the song and understanding its meaning made her realize how powerful language and music can be in expressing emotions that words alone cannot always explain. This became one of the most memorable moments of the ASEAN LACE journey because it allowed her to connect with Timor-Leste’s culture on a more personal and emotional level.
Two UB delegates received recognition for their ACross teams. Ms. Jilliane Agtulao of Team Bahari received the Innovation Award, while Ms. Precious Cayat of Team As’One won Best Data Visualization Project.
A Stride Toward Sustainable Development
The program also contributed to UB’s advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs), particularly:
- SDG 4: Quality Education: by providing a platform for students to experience a globalized education that goes beyond the classroom
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: equipping students to be highly competitive and employable in the global workforce
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: allowing students from different backgrounds to come together and collaborate equally
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: through its support for international partnerships that build stronger regional bonds and advance internationalization
As the five UBians logged off from their final ASEAN LACE session, they gained more than they signed up for: new friends, awards, and a deeper appreciation for languages they could not speak a month ago.
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Written by: Erika P. Latawan, Jilliane L. Agtulao
Article enhancement by Gabriel Madriaga
