Organization - Philippine Association for the Study of Culture, History and Religion, Inc.

The PASCHR specifically aims to:

• promote regular academic and cultural exchanges that deal with Philippine culture, history, and religion;
• forge linkages with academic, professional, government, and research institutions that can help fulfill the thrusts of PASCHR; initiate, facilitate, and organize fora, symposia, conferences and any other academic events; and disseminate information on scholarship and research opportunities and publication of journals, books, and newsletters to members, interested groups, and partners in the national and international communities to increase awareness about Philippine culture, history, and religion.

The 5th conference of the South and Southeast Asian Association  for the Study of  Culture and Religion (SSEASR) held at UST  from May 16-19, 2013 with the theme “Healing, Belief Systems, Cultures, and Religions of South and Southeast Asia” led to the idea of establishing a local and national version of the regional association of the SSEASR, with the goal to contribute to the advancement and deepening of Philippine studies on culture and religion by using multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary approaches.  Such was a dream of the SSEASR President, Dr. Amarjiva Lochan, which was then supported by the Filipino participants present during the conference.

This meeting of minds and intentions soon led to the formation of a small working group whose willing members formed an ad hoc committee for the legal establishment of what turns out to be the group now called the Philippine Association for the Study of Culture, History, and Religion (PASCHR).  The association was then registered as a legal-professional and academic group by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the Philippines in September 9, 2013.  The following founding members closely coordinated with Dr. Lochan  in establishing the group: Dr. Esmeralda Sanchez of the University of Santo Tomas;  Albert B. Banico of the San Sebastian College;  Delilah R. Labajo of San Carlos University; and Dr. Grace Odal-Devora of the University of the Philippines – Manila.  These educators are engaged in research on Philippine Studies.

Later on, the following people became part of the association’s founding members: Dr. Arvin D. Eballo of the University of Santo Tomas; Beejay Sebastian of the Holy Angel University; Michael Raymond Pangilinan, an independent researcher from Angeles City, Pampanga; and Mayor Arnel F. Mendoza, Ph.D., the local head of the municipality of Bustos, Bulacan who supports the endeavors and ideals of new association.

PASCHR is officially recognized as the National Association of the International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR) . It operates under the policies and principles of the parent body International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR), which seeks to promote the activities of all scholars and affiliates that contribute to the historical, social, and comparative study of religion. As such, the IAHR is the preeminent international forum for the critical, analytical and cross‐cultural study of religion, past and present. The IAHR is not a forum for confessional, apologetical, or other similar concerns.ʺ

• The Philippine Association for the Study of Culture, History, and Religion (PASCHR) aims to contribute to the formulation of the Filipino national identity through interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and scholarship on the Philippines’ indigenous and folk traditions, as well as their colonial, postcolonial, and contemporary developments and links, within the Asian region and beyond, from the perspectives of culture, history, and religion.
• Yearly National Conference
• Regional Conferences
• Fora
• Documenting oral histories of province