30 January 2017

DR. ARLEIGH ROSS D. DELA CRUZ

Associate Professor
College of Liberal Arts, De La Salle University

Dear DR. DELA CRUZ:

Greetings!

The Organization of Area Studies Majors (OrgASM) is an

academic and socio-civic organization of the BA Social Sciences
(Area Studies) Program of the College of Arts and Sciences,
University of the Philippines Manila. Since its founding in 2003, the
(OrgASM) has been at the forefront in molding young
interdisciplinary social science students to be holistic, action-
oriented, knowledgeable and successful in the field in the sincerest
belief that these are requisites in becoming true leaders in the spirit
of nation-building.

The UPM Organization of Area Studies Majors will be holding its

Third National Conference on the 17th of February 2017 with the
theme Debunking Myths and Exposing Realities: A
Deconstruction of the Philippine Urbanization. The theme
holistically recognizes the situation of the urban areas in the
Philippines and its relevance with regard to the global agenda of
sustainable development through the use of Area Studies. In
relation to this, we endeavor to make Area Studies an
indispensable instrument in bridging understanding of the different
geographical, cultural, politico-economic, and administrative
regions in our country.

The above-mentioned conference aims to achieve the following

specific objectives:

1. to bring into everyones knowledge how the situation of

urban areas, from the beginning of their existence up to the
present-day, in the Philippines is crucial to the attainment of
sustainable development
2. to situate Philippines rural areas vis--vis urban ones and
how the latter affects the former;
3. to formulate and recommend solutions to problems arising
from tackling urbanization using proper and extensive
urban planning
4. to assemble in one forum experts on Area Studies and
other Social Sciences in the Philippines;
 5. to extol the use of Area Studies in raising the parameters of
teaching particularly, extract new theories, and formulate
new interdisciplinary research methods which can be
applied to Philippine urban areas; and
6. to promote the Organization of Area Studies Majors of the
College of Arts and Sciences UP Manila as the pioneer
interdisciplinary undergraduate organization in the
Philippines.

In line with this, we humbly ask for your assistance with regard
to the venue due to the extended renovation of our Theater
here in UP Manila. Your university venues were highly
recommended by Dr. Celestina P. Boncan and she specifically
recommended you to assist us regarding this concern. Our
expected audience would be around 250 people if that would be
possible.

It will be of great honor and privilege to have you as part of this

event. Surely, the success of our National Conference will not be
realized without your kind help. We assure you of the merits of this
undertaking inasmuch as it reinforces academic excellence,
leadership, and appreciation of Philippine urbanization.

We leave our contact details should there be further questions on

your part. We sincerely hope for your positive response and utmost
assistance.

To you, our sincerest gratitude and Mabuhay!

In Service and Excellence,

Sara D. Larce
President, Organization of Area Studies Majors
University of the Philippines Manila
(0927) 571 5927; s_larce@yahoo.com

Noted by:

Dr. Celestina P. Boncan

Faculty Adviser, OrgASM
Department of Social Sciences
celesbon@yahoo.com