Researchers should state their ideas using their own words, from their own perspectives and through Philippine languages to “indigenize” knowledge, said Prof. Joyce L. Arriola, former UST Research Center for Culture, Arts and the Humanities director, in an online lecture on Feb. 24.
“Indigenization of knowledge will benefit our scholars whose historical dependence upon received knowledge prevents them from producing localized and original categories and terms,” Arriola said during the iShare lecture series hosted by the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP).
Speaking from the post-colonial perspective, Arriola said that through the indigenization of knowledge, local researchers would be able to present their studies in their original perspectives, free of foreign influences.
“Indigenization is not something that we arrive at because it’s intentional … It’s really coming from a local perspective, from our perspective, because research has been hostaged by received knowledge and paradigms. We need to find our own niche,” she said.
“When we can intellectualize knowledge in our languages—more than 130 of them—then that would mean we can have an original take on world knowledge.”
Arriola, a published author and researcher, also emphasized the importance of “eclectic reading” and participation in building a research culture.
Researchers must also explore fields outside their original disciplines to develop deeper knowledge and form networks with other researchers.
Arriola encouraged researchers to join professional organizations to “enrich” their works and contribute to society.
“You will not only gain friends. These are like-minded individuals who share your interest in some disciplines,” she said.
Arriola also said researchers needed to “constantly improve the quality of truth.” To do this, researchers should be “just, accurate and rigorous,” she said.
In 2018, Arriola received the NRCP achievement award in humanities for her contributions to Philippine literary education and discourse.
She earned her masters and doctorate degrees in literature from the University in 1995 and 2003, respectively. Arriola received the Outstanding Alumni Award in 2014.
She has worked with the Commission on Higher Education’s Technical Committee for Literature and the Executive Council of the National Committee for Literary Arts of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Arriola won the National Book Award for Film/Film Criticism in 2007 for her work titled “Postmodern Filming of Literature: Sources, Contexts and Adaptations.”
“iShare: Stories of Inspiration and Creative Research” is a series of lectures featuring NRCP awardees. with reports from Katherine Anne L. Escarilla
