In partnership with St. Aloysius (Deemed to be University) and the Naga City Coalition for Arts and Culture, Inc., the University Research Council of Ateneo de Naga University formally launched its five-year programmatic strategic action plan for research centered on rivers and the environment. The launch took place during the international conference, Echoes of the River: Integrating Policy, Research, and the Humanities for a Fluid Future, held on 27–29 January 2026 at Villa Caceres Hotel, Naga City, and simultaneously via Google Meet.
In his welcome address, ADNU President Fr. Aristotle Dy, SJ, reaffirmed the University’s continuing commitment to Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, marking ten years since its publication. He cautioned that environmental disasters may continue to recur—beyond the devastation caused by the 2024 Tropical Storm Kristine—if humanity neglects Mother Nature and fails to reclaim its role as steward of God’s creation.
Six international speakers enriched the three-day event. On the first day, Dr. Marie Paz Morales of the Philippine Normal University delivered an inspiring keynote titled “Navigating the Currents of Change in Science, Policy, and Community for a Resilient Future.” This was followed by an engaging online lecture by Dr. Guangwei Huang of Sophia University, Japan, entitled “Has Our Vulnerability to Flooding Decreased Over Time?” The afternoon session featured Dr. Salvatore Manfreda of the University of Naples Federico II, Italy, who presented “Flood Risk Assessment at Large Scale: Challenges and Strategies.”
The second day featured Dr. Paz Verdades Santos, a Bulawanna Bikolnon Service Awardee of Ateneo de Naga University, who delivered a compelling lecture titled “The River Remembers,” highlighting the transformative role of arts and culture in caring for rivers and nature. This was followed by a thought-provoking discussion by Dr. Cyrille Vallet of the University of Geneva on “Operationalizing the Rights and Legal Personhood of Rivers: Implementation Challenges from Existing Cases and Insights for the Bicol River.”
On the third day, Dr. Vidya Vinutha D’Souza, Assistant Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities and Assistant Professor in the PG Department of Social Work at St. Aloysius (Deemed to be University), shared valuable lessons from India in her lecture, “Social Work and Community Resilience in Disasters.” She emphasized the importance of strengthening communities for disaster preparedness and effective management. Dr. Vidya also highlighted the role of St. Aloysius (Deemed to be University) in fostering social responsibility among students through extension programmes and its fieldwork-based curriculum.
The programme was highly appreciated by Rev. Dr. Praveen Martis, SJ, the Honourable Vice Chancellor of St. Aloysius (Deemed to be University). The collaboration was further strengthened through the dedicated support of Dr. Roshan D’Souza, Chair of International Relations at St. Aloysius (Deemed to be University).
The conference concluded with a presentation by ADNU faculty member Khim Cathleen M. Saddi, PhD (Cand.), titled “Citizen Science in River Plastic Detection: Challenges and Opportunities.”
Beyond the academic sessions, the conference was enriched by an art exhibit featuring paintings inspired by the Naga River by artist Manuel Medenilla, along with cultural performances by Aninipotsa Tahawkan Salog, Bruce Raleen, Ignacio Dance Company, selected Senior High School performers, Jason Chancoco, Dr. Teresa C. Francisco, and Engr. Ellaine G. Gogola.
Memorandums of Understanding were formally signed between Ateneo de Naga University and St. Aloysius (Deemed to be University) to strengthen international academic partnerships, and with the Naga City Coalition for Arts and Culture, Inc. to advance their shared advocacy for the care of the Naga and Bikol Rivers. The conference concluded with all participants taking part in a ceremonial declaration, affirming their collective commitment to the protection and preservation of rivers and waterways.