Filipino Indigenous Wisdom for Personal and Shared Wellbeing

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For centuries, Filipino lifeways were presented to outsiders through the distorted lens of colonization—and the oppression, exploitation, and denigration suffered by Filipino ancestors are well-documented. In his work, psychologist and author Carl Lorenz Cervantes draws from Filipino folklore, language, and culture to reorient toward an Indigenous worldview: one that rejects being seen as a passive object in history.

Join Carl for a powerful conversation exploring Indigenous Filipino worldviews for embodied well-being. Drawing from his latest book, Sikodiwa, in which he reclaims Filipino identity, storytelling, and liberation on Filipino terms.

In this illuminating conversation, Carl discusses how to restore Indigenous worldviews using the lens of creation myths, folk healing, native spirituality, and mystical realities. He examines the processes of decolonization and how to navigate the complexities of identity to reconnect with our most authentic selves. Carl also shares how we can apply vital cultural frameworks to our own self-help and empowerment practices, from learning to use existential tools like Bahala na (letting go of burden) to understanding the inherently collective meaning-making of Kasaysayan (history).

Carl shares how to uplift Indigenized Filipino ways of knowing and offers a timely and inspired path toward collective consciousness, cultural authenticity, and embodied well-being.

Meet the Speaker

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Carl Lorenz Cervantes is a psychologist and researcher. Cervantes holds a master’s degree in counseling & psychology from Ateneo de Manila University and is currently a senior lecturer at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. He runs an Instagram, @sikodiwa, where he shares posts about topics such as climate issues, healing, and social responsibility through the lens of Filipino Psychology. Cervantes also runs a Substack, Sikodiwa Reader, illuminating Filipino culture, Indigenous practices, spirituality, religion, and psychology.

Important Event Information

We are grateful to our Bookstore Partner

Marcus Books is the nation’s oldest Black-owned independent bookstore celebrating its 60th year. Marcus Books’ mission is to provide opportunities for Black folks and their allies to celebrate and learn about Black people everywhere. Learn more about Marcus Books. 

Accessibility Information 

If you need to request accessibility accommodations, please email publicprograms@ciis.edu at least one week prior to the event. For more information, explore our Accessibility web page.

Recording Policy

Ticket holders will have access to an ad-free replay of the event for one month after the live event, after which unlimited viewing with ads will be available. Portions of the audio will also be released on our podcast. Only registered ticket holders who choose to watch live can participate in the chat and Q&A.

Refund Policy 

All tickets and add-ons purchased for this event are nonrefundable.