Beyond borderless – the University of Batangas (UB) Research and Publications Office (RPO) and the Office of the Vice President for External Affairs organized the 5th UBian Conference 2026. Centered on the theme “BORDERLESS: Advancing a Vibrant, Inclusive, and Innovative Global Playground for Student Life,” this two-day event aims to empower educators and institutions to build environments that transcend cultural and systemic barriers. Organizers held the conference at the UB Juan Y. Javier Culture & Arts Building on February 19 and 20, 2026.

Vice President for External Affairs Dr. Abegayle Machelle P. Chua welcomed attendees to the first day of the 5th UBian Conference with hope, setting a powerful tone for the event.

“Borders may exist on maps, but they should never exist in opportunities. Education at its best has always been, and will always be, borderless,” Dr. Chua said.

UB President Lily Marlene J. Hernandez-Bohn strengthened this hope by reinforcing the university’s vision through her inspirational message.

“It provides a platform for educators, researchers, and student affairs practitioners to exchange ideas, share best practices, and explore innovative approaches to student engagement and holistic formation,” UB President Hernandez-Bohn stated. She ended her speech with impact: “Through dialogue and collaboration, we turn wisdom into action and learning into service.”

Chairman of the Board of Regents Atty. Jesus V. Mayo urged participants to remain steadfast in inclusivity and compassion.

“This conference continues that tradition with discussions of global learning, student engagement, wellness, and support systems that strengthen resilience and excellence,” Atty. Mayo stated. He challenged the audience: “Let us remain steadfast in inclusivity and compassion. Let us break barriers that limit ideas and build bridges that uplift humanity.”

Later, Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Director IV for International Affairs Services Dr. Christine Nabor Ferrer commended the university’s efforts.

“We are creating an environment of learning that transcends culture, ethnicity, and borders,” Dr. Ferrer shared. She added, “Thank you, University of Batangas, for being one with us in this very important mission.”

Co-Chair and RPO Director Dr. Romell A. Ramos explained the conference rationale. He invited professionals to co-create a global playground that serves as “both a sanctuary for well-being and a laboratory for progress.”

Three keynote speakers anchored the main talks. Dr. Paul Briney, Principal of Wintergreen Elementary School, discussed Co-Curricular Learning Across Borders. He emphasized that intentional systems prepare students to contribute meaningfully in a complex world.

“If we intentionally embed co-curricular global learning into our systems, we’re going to prepare students not just to succeed, but to contribute meaningfully in a complex world,” Dr. Briney shared.

Dr. Rosemary J. Perez, Associate Professor of the Marsal Family School of Education, tackled Fostering Inclusive and Innovative Student Engagement in a Globalized World. She reminded educators that connecting with culture means engaging with real-world problems and systems of power.

“Sometimes, globalization has a tendency to look, pick, and choose the parts of culture that we find appealing without contending with the deeper meanings of culture that I mentioned when we think about systems of power and domination,” Dr. Perez shared. “But really, connecting with culture and community also means engaging with the real world and its problems.”

Furthermore, UP Diliman Guidance Services Specialist Mr. Christopher P. Hernandez explored Student Wellness and the Culture of Care. He advocated that student well-being serves as a core design principle rather than a mere service.

“The courage to care deeply is the heart of true leadership. I challenge your leaders to lead with purpose, serve with love, and care with courage. Student well-being is not a service. It is, I suppose, a design principle,” Mr. Hernandez expressed.

Following the keynotes, Dr. Chua spearheaded the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Research Poster Entries. She cut the ribbon alongside Counseling and Psychological Wellness (CoPWell) University Counselor Dr. Carl Reman M. Maranan, Internship Officer Mrs. Ma. Raissa Rani Mendoza, College of Education (CEDU) Secretary Dr. Judith A. Asistin, and Research and Publications Faculty Researcher Dr. Felicitas Cortez.

To wrap up the first day, 31 presenters delivered their research findings across various parallel sessions. Delegates represented several institutions, including the Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Unisan Campus, Gyalpozhing College of Information Technology – Royal University of Bhutan, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Mindoro State University (MinSU), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA – Molino Campus.

To kickstart the second day of the 5th UBian Conference, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Aurora P. Tolentino encouraged the community.

“Let us continue to share ideas on how to make our school community a conducive playground for learning and growth,” Dr. Tolentino said.

Later, several esteemed leaders delivered inspirational messages to energize the delegates further.

Officer-In-Charge Vice President for Student Affairs and Services Mr. Christopher V. Quizon highlighted that profound growth happens in the beautiful convergence of different cultures.

“We see daily that the most profound growth happens not in isolation, but in the beautiful convergence of different cultures,” he noted.

Gyalpozhing College of Information Technology President Ms. Audrey Low framed the conference as a practical workshop to build realistic and thoughtful ideas.

“This conference isn’t just a place for grand ideas. It is a workshop. It is going to be a chance for all of us to share what’s actually working – to learn from our different systems, and to be practical about how we can build this playground together – one realistic, one thoughtful idea that we can truly and definitely implement,” Ms. Low shared.

Meanwhile, Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association, Inc. (PGCA) Batangas Vice President Dr. Rina R. Olan invited attendees to reimagine student development in a peacefully interconnected world.

“This two-day gathering is more than an event. It is a shared commitment to shaping a future where student life transcends borders, cultures, disciplines, and limitations,” Dr. Olan expressed. She added, “Our theme ‘borderless’ invites us to reimagine student development in a world that is peacefully interconnected, diverse, and dynamic.”

Philippines Association of Practitioners of Student Affairs and Services, Inc. (PAPSAS) President Dr. Lucille D. Evangelista stressed that being borderless means breaking barriers between cultures, disciplines, and perspectives.

“Being borderless is not only about internationalization; it is about breaking barriers between cultures, disciplines, institutions, and perspectives,” Dr. Evangelista stated. “We strengthen our shared mission to create student experiences that are vibrant, inclusive, and innovative.”

To recap the first day of the 5th UBian Conference, Junior High School (JHS) Guidance Counselor Mrs. Giselle Ann E. Enriquez provided an overview of the entire discussion on behalf of CoPWell Director Dr. Gladiola Eje-Dimaculangan.

Independent Autistic Self-Advocate Mr. Juan Alfonzo “Japonz” Dacumos anchored the day’s discussions with his presentation, When Support Systems Work: A Borderless Story of Inclusion, Resilience, and Academic Excellence. He challenged institutions to adapt their environments rather than forcing individuals to conform.

“You don’t make autistic people adjust to the community; instead, you foster an environment that accepts autistic individuals as they are from a non-judgmental standpoint,” Mr. Dacumos expressed. He also offered a question for the audience to ponder: “Why not open the box wider to allow many different shapes to fit inside the box instead of forcing this one shape to be like other shapes to fit inside the box?”

The program featured a panel discussion expanding on these themes. Panelists included developmental pediatrician Dr. Marizel Pulhin-Dacumos, school administrator Mr. Alphonsus C. De Alban, psychologist Dr. Adelaida Gines, and Mr. Dacumos.

Organizers concluded the educational sessions with a mini-lecture series. Mrs. Christine Ann C. Hernandez from the UB International Student Service Office presented Unity in Diversity: Pre-Departure Orientation. Dr. Maranan from UB CoPWell discussed Promoting Mental Well-Being: School-Based Screening for Student Mental Health. JHS Guidance Counselor Mrs. Enriquez presented Optimizing Resilience: Evidence-Based Techniques for Effective Stress Management. Mr. Vincent M. Alcantara from the UB Student Affairs and External Programs Office tackled Empowering Student Success: Career Placement Strategies in Higher Education. Finally, Mr. John Rey V. Banlasan from Community Extension Services delivered From Campus to Community: Empowerment through the SDGs – A Universal Call to Action for a Sustainable Future.

The 5th UBian Conference recognized outstanding contributors at the close of the event. For the Best Poster awards, UB students Rowell Jancovic A. Mauhay, Cyan Korei C. Gutierrez, Den Ashley D. Renegado, Karen Kae T. Estanislao, Za...

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