UP CIDS and UP OVPLA Publish the Lupa’ Sug and the Path of Ahlus s-Suluk Monograph

The UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UP CIDS) together with the UP Office of the Vice President for Legal Affairs (UP OVPLA) hosted the launch of the Lupa’ Sug and the Path of Ahlus s-Suluk Monograph last October 21, 2025 at the Ignacio B. Gimenez (IBG) Gallery, University of the Philippines – Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila.

The opening remarks were presented by Dr. Joel Joseph Marciano, Jr., UP Vice President for Research and Innovation, and Professor Nadger Abdurahman, Chancellor of Mindanao State University – Sulu (MSU – Sulu), via a pre-recorded video.

Following this, Dr. Rosalie Arcala Hall, Executive Director of the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UP CIDS), formally introduced and unveiled the printed conference monograph. The volume compiles the full papers authored by distinguished experts and scholars who presented at Sulu Project 2025: Lupa’ Sug and the Path of Ahlus s-Suluk—International Conference on Sulu History and Power, held on April 23–25, 2025, in Jolo, Sulu. The selected essays are organized under four overarching themes pertinent to the Sulu region: History and Culture; Peace; Economy and Development; and Nationhood, Identity, and Power.

The authors who contributed their complete manuscripts to the monograph were also invited to briefly present and discuss their respective research. Dr. Benjamin S. Bangahan, Georgi Engelbrecht, Dr. Francisco J. Lara Jr., Dr. Hussein S. Lidasan, Ms. Amina Rasul-Bernardo, and Atty. Neil S. Silva delivered their remarks in person while Dr. Patricio N. Abinales, Asst. Prof. Darwin J. Absari, and Ms. Criselda Yabes joined via video link.

The event also included musical performances by Mr. Terrence Jethro Tolentino and a dramatic reading of Lupa’ Sūg, Hula’ Kalasahan, written by Gamson Mawallil Quijano Jr. and performed by Mr. Martin Hilario Mapolon.

The closing remarks were delivered by the Atty. Eunice Brigitta Suzanne J. Agsaoay-Saño, UP Assistant Vice President for Legal Affairs, for Atty. Abraham Rey M. Acosta, Project Leader for Sulu Project 2025 and the former Vice President for Legal Affairs.