Ned Legaspi

09/07/2025

Just wrapped up my presentation at the 15th ACFEA Conference here in Hanoi.

I am grateful for the opportunity to share a Southeast Asian perspective on culturally intelligent storytelling, where narratives not only cross borders but also carry meaning with them.

I genuinely appreciate the engaged attendees who asked thoughtful questions and sparked meaningful conversations after the talk.

Thank you to the organizers, fellow presenters, and everyone in the room today. And to the UP Office of International Linkages, thank you for making this journey possible through your support.

09/07/2025

Presenting this afternoon at the 15th Biennial Conference of the Asian Consumer and Family Economics Association (ACFEA 2025) here in Hanoi, Vietnam 🇻🇳

My talk is on Culturally Intelligent Storytelling: A Southeast Asian Lens on Narrative, Identity, and Engagement — exploring how stories travel across cultures, and how they act not just as entertainment, but as cultural goods that shape values, meaning, and memory.

08/07/2025

Visited the venue today. Tomorrow, I present my work on culturally intelligent storytelling, this time in the context of consumer and family economics.

I'm excited for the opportunity to represent a Southeast Asian perspective at this regional gathering in Hanoi.

Special thanks to the UP Office of International Linkages for supporting this trip through a travel grant.

07/07/2025

Just arrived in Hanoi.

I’ll be presenting at the 15th Biennial Conference of the Asian Consumer and Family Economics Association (ACFEA) this week — but first, phở!

While waiting for hotel check-in, I followed the receptionist’s recommendation and walked to Phở Dinh 3. The staff suggested their bestseller, Phở Tái Gầu — a comforting bowl of rare beef (tái) and brisket (gầu) in rich, clear broth topped with generous herbs and scallions.

Simple. Honest. Perfectly Hanoi.

26/06/2025

I just returned from my first international academic forum, and it still feels surreal that it happened at the University of Tokyo.

No grand stage. No fanfare. Just a quiet, sincere gathering of people from Japan and the Philippines — all coming together to talk about culture, identity, and the stories that shape us.

I introduced something I’ve been working on for months:
The CIS Bamboo Framework is a way to tell stories that stay true to our Southeast Asian roots and connect with the world through cultural intelligence (CQ).

One Japanese student told me he didn’t expect to connect with Filipino films — but somehow, he did.

Another participant said this framework could be enhanced further by combining it with AI tools to help creators understand and reach global audiences.

Those moments meant a lot to me. They reminded me we don’t have to choose between local and global. When told with care, our stories can travel — without losing their soul.

Presented at the 30th Philippine Studies Forum in Japan
University of Tokyo – Komaba Campus

20/06/2025

Presenting at the 30th Annual Philippine Studies Forum in Japan this weekend at the University of Tokyo! Excited to share research alongside fellow scholars at this beautiful campus.

20/06/2025

Golden balls of joy to start the day. Fried takoyaki for breakfast.

19/06/2025

This weekend, I present at the University of Tokyo the CIS Bamboo Framework — a Southeast Asian approach to storytelling that weaves together cultural intelligence, lived experience, and creative strategy.

It’s rooted in the question: “How can our stories resonate across cultures without losing who we are?”

Proud to begin sharing this journey with fellow thinkers, artists, and scholars in Japan.

12/06/2025

This November, I'm presenting my research at the SEASREP 30th Anniversary Conference in Bangkok — a gathering of scholars exploring how we bridge heritage and innovation in our story-rich region.

I'll share my Culturally Intelligent Storytelling framework — developed to help Southeast Asian creators craft narratives that cross cultures without losing their soul. Rooted in my experience and years of media leadership, this approach draws from cultural intelligence, lived experience, and a deep belief in our region's capacity to lead through narrative.

As global stories continue to circulate, I believe Southeast Asia has more than content to export — we offer perspectives the world needs.

Grateful to be supported with a travel grant, and excited to engage with fellow thinkers and storytellers in Bangkok this November.

Let's talk if you'll be there — or if you'd like to learn more about this evolving work.

09/06/2025

No fanfare. Just a full heart and a finished chapter.

04/06/2025

01/06/2025

My first NedTalks happened yesterday at the UP Asian Center!

Thank you to everyone who listened, responded, and made the space feel like home.