Academic staff from the Institute of Religion (IR) presented papers at the November 1-2, 2025 15th International Roundtable organized by the Asian Research Center for Religion and Social Communication (ARC) of Saint John’s University, Thailand, in collaboration with the Department of Peace Studies, International College, Payap University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Five presentations from UST’s academic staff explored the transformative influence of digital media on faith, spirituality, and Catholic practice in the Philippines.
1. Rethinking the Influence of Digital Media in the Practice of Panaad sa Camiguin
IR academic staff Cristine Amontos-Calustre, together with Annaliza A. Reyes, Jessa Niña A. Babac, and Ariel T. Calustre, presented a study on how digital media reshapes traditional devotional practices such as Panaad sa Camiguin. Their research emphasized the tension between digital mediation and embodied religiosity, offering insights into how faith pilgrimages evolve in the digital age.
2. Virtual Catholic Parishes: A Feasible Reality?
Sr. Melanie S. Reyes and Juegene R. Café examined the emerging concept of “virtual parishes” amid the post-pandemic digital era. Their paper explored how online communities may serve as legitimate spaces of worship and pastoral engagement, while also reflecting on the theological implications of digitally mediated ecclesial life.
3. Faith, Frames, and Feeds: A Media-Theological Look at the Passing of Pope Francis
Presented by academic staff John Mary M. Nuqui, Sarah Gail A. Ortiz, and Sir-Lien Hugh T. Tadeo, this paper offered a media-theological analysis of how digital platforms framed global Catholic mourning following the passing of Pope Francis. The team highlighted how digital narratives shape collective faith memory and mediate transnational expressions of grief.
4. Media as Mourner: The Death of Pope Francis and the Digital Ritualization of Grief
In a related study, academic staff Bryan B. Albia, Mariel B. Blanza, and Andrew Joseph S. Chanco explored how social media platforms became spaces for communal lament and ritual expression. Their paper analyzed how digital mourning practices reconfigured traditional Catholic responses to loss and memorialization in the context of papal leadership.
5. Digital Media’s Power and Perils in Mobilizing Filipino Catholics Toward Greater Socio-Political Involvement
Sr. Melanie S. Reyes, Joseph Albert D. Reyes, and Patrick Meryll J. Garcia investigated how digital platforms empower Filipino Catholics to engage in socio-political advocacy while also cautioning against the risks of misinformation and polarization. Their paper underscored the responsibility of faith-based digital citizenship in promoting justice and truth.
The participation of the Institute of Religion academic staff underscored the Philippines’ active role in the broader Asian discourse on faith and communication. Their works collectively demonstrated how theology, media studies, and cultural analysis can intersect to illuminate new forms of religious life and pastoral engagement in a rapidly digitizing world.
This year’s conference, with the theme “The Media and Religion & Spirituality in Asia,” gathered scholars, theologians, media practitioners, and researchers from across the region to discuss the evolving intersections between faith, communication, and digital culture in the Asian context.
As ARC continues its commitment to fostering dialogue between religion and social communication, the insights shared by the IR faculty have contributed significantly to deepening the conversation on how faith communities can adapt to—and critically engage with—the digital age while preserving their spiritual integrity and social mission.