Manila, Philippines — The Philippine Normal University (PNU) celebrated the launch of the PRISMA: Gender and Education e-journal and the SINAG Awards at Geronima Pecson Hall on December 9, 2024 showcasing PNU’s commitment to promoting inclusive education and research dissemination in the academic community.
The event opened with remarks from Dr. Denmark L. Yonson, Vice President for Students’ Success and Stakeholders’ Services, who emphasized the essential role of PRISMA in championing gender-responsive education. He described the journal as a transformative platform for research and advocacy to dismantle gender inequities in education.
President Bert J. Tuga, in his message, lauded both PRISMA and the SINAG Awards as crucial initiatives to promote innovative and impactful research. Reflecting on the SINAG Awards, he said, “This program is a way of popularizing research outputs, not only among PNU faculty but also among educators nationwide. It celebrates scholarship in both traditional and creative formats, expanding its reach and relevance.”
President Tuga hailed PRISMA as “a beacon of knowledge” and underscored its potential to inform policies and inspire equitable practices. “Gender education influences societal perceptions and opportunities available to all genders. Through this journal, we take a decisive step toward fostering an inclusive and equitable world,” he said.
Dr. Excelsa C. Tongson, Editor-in-Chief of PRISMA, formally launched the journal’s maiden issue, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to PNU’s legacy of excellence. She described the issue’s five diverse contributions, which explore critical aspects of gender and education, including Mga Bukang Liwayway by Ilyang Montenegro, a visual-text piece portraying personal liberation from abuse through art and community support; Research articles by Eden Grace V. Tabanao and Mary Ann Agnes Regidor and Filner B. Salindo, and June Euisha B. Salindo, which examine the challenges faced by student-parents and propose institutional reforms such as on-campus childcare, financial aid, and psychosocial support.; Beyond the Genitals, a book review of Ako Ay May Titi and Ako Ay May Kiki by Jess Mendoza, which critiques gender stereotypes and binaries while advocating for more inclusive representations of family structures, caregiving roles, and gender identities; and Resignation Day by John Lloyd C. Casoy, a Filipino poem celebrating a female educator’s resilience in breaking free from systemic undervaluation of her contributions.
Dr. Marie Paz E. Morales, Director of the Publication Office, presented the SINAG Awards or the Showcasing Interesting and Notable Academic Genres. The Best Research Article award was given to Intergenerational Communication Among Faculty and Students in Higher Education, published in The Normal Lights. Recipients received plaques and PHP 20,000.
The Best SINAG Entry award went to the Development of Pinoy Pedagogical Model for Community Engagement, Solidarity, and Citizenship, published in The Normal Lights. This category celebrated creative and non-traditional formats of scholarly work that engage broader audiences, including video presentations, infographics, and social media content. Winners received plaques of recognition and a cash prize of PHP 10,000.
Both winners were celebrated for their ground-breaking contributions to education, with Dr. Morales noting, “These awards embody PNU’s commitment to fostering scholarship that bridges theory and practice while addressing pressing educational challenges.”
In her closing remarks, Dr. Tongson reflected on the event as a catalyst for transformative change. “PRISMA is not just a journal; it is a platform for advocacy, a repository of ideas, and a beacon for equitable education,” she said. She urged readers to use the journal as a tool for advancing gender equality and addressing systemic barriers in education.
“Progress in gender and education is progress for all,” Tongson declared. “Let PRISMA serve as a testament of hope, a legacy of justice, and a force for meaningful change in education and beyond.”
The event concluded with a photo session featuring PRISMA’s Editorial Board, SINAG awardees, and PNU leadership, together with a musical rendition by Dr. Joel Malabanan, Associate Editor of PRISMA, and his group, MAMULAT, symbolizing the collaborative effort behind these milestones.
