In line with the celebration of Linggo ng Likha at Lingkod 2026, Saint Mary’s University (SMU) conducted a timely and relevant webinar for students enrolled in the General Philippine Indigenous Communities (GPIC) course on April 30, 2026, from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM via Zoom and at AVR–1.

With the theme “Voices of Indigenous Cultural Communities: Advancing Rights, Identity, and Self-Determination in the Contemporary Philippines,” the activity highlighted pressing issues faced by Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and emphasized the importance of inclusive education and advocacy. The webinar aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The event was organized by the Social Sciences and Philosophy Department under the School of Teacher Education and Humanities, in collaboration with the Community Engagement and Indigenous Peoples Studies Center. It brought together GPIC students, faculty members, and educators to engage in meaningful discussions on Indigenous rights and development.

The webinar featured two distinguished speakers. Atty. Raymond Marvic “Ice” C. Baguilat, Head Legal Officer of the University of the Philippines Law Center – Institute of Human Rights and Program Head of the Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program, delivered a talk on “Land, Resources and Rights: Indigenous Peoples & the Extractive Industry.” He discussed the legal frameworks protecting IP rights and the ongoing challenges posed by extractive industries on ancestral domains.

Meanwhile, Dr. Yi-Chin Wu, Assistant Professor at the PhD Program for Asia-Pacific Regional Studies of National Dong Hwa University, presented on “Development Encounters and Indigenous Self-Determination.” Her lecture explored the complexities of development initiatives and their impact on Indigenous communities, emphasizing the importance of culturally sensitive and participatory approaches.

The webinar served as a platform for raising awareness, fostering critical understanding, and strengthening advocacy for Indigenous Peoples’ rights, identity, and self-determination. It also reinforced SMU’s commitment to promoting inclusive, culturally responsive education and community engagement.