Dr. Aurora S. Llige from the Department of Home Economics Education was invited to the inaugural edition of the Migration, Mobilities, and Environments Conference (MIMEC) held from May 10 to May 13, 2026, at the John Felice Rome Center of Loyola University Chicago in Rome, Italy. Dr. Llige presented her paper titled “The Role of Media in Constructing Identities and Narratives of the Filipino Diaspora” as part of her outputs under her PhD Incentive Award (Year 1) from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Development.

Dr. Llige’s study critically examined how the Philippine government has used migration as a development tool, particularly through its diaspora engagement program, the Migration Advocacy and Media Awards (MAMA). Utilizing frame theory as her primary analytical lens, she conducted a qualitative, deductive thematic analysis of 49 awarded media works from 2017 onwards, including advertisements, television shows, movies, documentaries, songs, magazines, books, news outlets, websites, blogs, vlogs, and more. Her findings revealed prevalent idealization of Filipino migrants, frequently depicting them as resilient figures overcoming adversity. Significantly, these media narratives often highlight women, the poor, and the vulnerable, framing their migration journeys as heroic and deserving of admiration. This construction of stories aligned with the Filipino concept of “bagong bayani” (modern-day hero or heroine), reinforcing national pride and resilience. However, Dr. Llige’s analysis also highlighted the implication of state influence on these narratives, shaping public perception and influencing migration policies, processes, and experiences

Despite the challenges, including rerouted flights that lasted days due to the US-Iran War, Dr. Llige successfully attended and presented her research. The smaller, university-based event provided a more intimate atmosphere compared to larger conferences she is used to attending. Dr. Llige described it as her most engaging conference, noting she connected with many more participants than usual. Beyond presenting, she also established meaningful connections with professors such as Prof. Nadia Cristiani (Italy), Prof. Fred Kruger (Germany), Prof. Laura Bugg (USA), and Prof. Susana Cavallo (USA).  The experience inspired her to consider hosting a small, meaningful event within her home unit

Dr. Llige’s participation in MIMEC shows her commitment to exploring the complex intersections of migration, development, and identity, while contributing meaningful insights into how migration and migrants are instrumental in national development. 

Photo credit: Pictures are owned by the John Felice Rome Center, with permission for posting obtained from Dr. Elisa Ascione, the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.