I am a young professional who is passionate about empowering youth through education, tackling global challenges and achieving socially just and inclusive development through international development cooperation. My professional experiences in-partnership projects and support with several international organizations as a consultant for research, project management, and community development with Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), The World Bank Philippines, The Asia Foundation, Asian Development Bank, Australian Aid for International Development (AusAID), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Partnership for Transparency Fund, United Nations, and IFOAM - Organics International. I am currently based in Germany pursuing my graduate studies MA Science and Technology Studies at the Institute of Cultural Anthropology and European Ethnology, Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt and as a recipient scholar of Deutschlandstipendium.
While studying for my BA in Sociology at the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology in the Philippines from 2008 – 2013, I developed a particular interest in the interaction of international mining companies working in ancestral domain territories of the indigenous people in Surigao del Norte, Mindanao. In my BA thesis, I analyzed the dynamics and the impacts of a mining company in the lives of the indigenous tribe of Mamanwa and non-Mamanwa communities and the environment. From 2015 – 2019, I undertook a double master study in management with majors in public service and business management. My master’s final thesis was a project proposal on sustainable infrastructure development of an eco-tourism site in Del Carmen, Siargao Islands, Philippines.
My research interest is on areas related to sustainability, food security, peace and conflict, and protection of the ancestral domains of the indigenous peoples, in the Philippines which are exposed to displacement from their ancestral land due to various international mining operations, energy projects, and other extractive and development projects. These projects have severe impacts on the environment and predominant implications on people’s lives and food security, especially because the IP communities are dependent on forest resources which are significant for their survival. It is, therefore, necessary to investigate more deeply into the impacts of mining and other development projects, and natural resource governance on the lives of the IP communities who are seriously affected by these issues and concerns.
