Introduction. A overview of Philippine studies

First there is the Filipino contribution to international feminist studies, focusing on the experiences of Filipinas in social and political life. Other good research institutions that play a coordinating and stimulating role in the country's academic community are the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), both based in Los Banos. [...]recently the International Centre for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM) was part of that stimulating research community, but it has now been transferred to Kuala Lumpur. For most of them their stay is only tempor- Introduction 463 ary in contrast with the Dutch Catholic missionaries who formed an important community for several decades. Since economic and social relations have not been influenced by a history of colonization, the various types of cooperation seem to develop into authentic partnerships. [...]the country does have a number of symbols such as the national animal, the national flower, the national house, the national dress, the national fish and the national tree, which are revived in the public awareness from time to time.