A Humble Beginning: Association of Eastern Visayas Studies Inc.

By Ruben O. Balotol, Jr. 

Why are there few scholarships in Leyte? How do we encourage faculty members and scholars in Eastern Visayas to make Leyte the focus of their study? Is there an avenue for scholars in Leyte to discuss their ideas? How do we make people see the role of philosophy?  These are just some of the questions we ask and reflect on among ourselves. This is where it all begins, in which the process of sharing our ideas becomes an important basis for having the shared goals, vision, and dedication in establishing the Association of Eastern Visayas Studies. It was a shared goal together with former colleagues in Visayas State University-Tolosa Campus. 

With the support of the faculty members, department heads, deans, and the Chancellor through a series of consultations, a plan of activities was carefully crafted to realize the goals of creating an association.

The Association of Eastern Visayas Studies aims to: 

- To promote and share knowledge and studies about Eastern Visayas;

- To provide an avenue for dialogue and intellectual discourse among researchers, teachers, and students in Eastern Visayas;

- To develop and sustain a culture of innovation and a multidisciplinary approach; and

- To publish studies that of relevant to Eastern Visayas.

Through the spirit of volunteerism, the organization manages to hold conferences and paper presentations. Through the pouring support and the enthusiasm shown by the members, the association was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 

The Association of Eastern Visayas is also grateful to the Social Ethics Society not only because they served as an inspiration for the founding of the association but also for their support in providing scholars from Leyte the avenue to present, discuss, and publish their scholarly works.