Ugnayang Pang-Aghamtao, Inc. | Anthropological Association of the Philippines
"Bakit nga ba UGAT? Hindi simpleng akronim lang ang UGAT. Noong pinag-uusapan ang pangalan ng organisasyon, maraming pangalan ang lumabas. Usong-uso noon ang mga akronim ng samahan na nakatatawag pansin at, higit sa lahat, nagpapahiwatig ng diwa at layunin ng samahan. Pagkatapos ng ilang diskusyon, napagkasunduan ang UGAT: Ugnayang Pang-Aghamtao. Sa aking ala-ala, ang akronim na UGAT ay galing kay Prop. Rosario del Rosario (noon ay Rosario de Santos Lorrin na nagtuturo sa UP Departamento ng Antropolohiya) ng UP College of Social Work and Community Development. Sinegundahan ito ni Mariflor Parpan. Hindi ko tiyak kung sadya o nagkataon lang: silang dalawa ay parehong kagagaling lamang sa ibang bansa sa panahon na hindi pa uso ang pag-aabrod nang maramihan. Tila bagang nag-uugat silang muli: si Rosario, mula sa pag-aaral sa Pransya at si Mariflor, mula sa pag-aaral sa Estados Unidos – nagsisi-ugat sa lupang tinubuan (Lerma de Lima-Yambot, personal na komunikasyon, Oktubre 16, 2008). Pero may dagdag si Prop. Manuel: ang UGAT ng punong-kahoy, lalo na ang balite, ay kayang dumurog ng matigas na bato. Hindi na namin tinanong ang ibig niyang sabihin dahil sa konteksto ng panahong iyon, tila nagkaintindihan ang mga nagsidalo sa pagpupulong kung ano ang nais ipahiwatig ni Prop. Manuel."
- Poncianno L. Bennagen, "Bakit UGAT?" Aghamtao Volume 20 (2011)
The Ugnayang Pang-Aghamtao Inc. (UGAT), organized in early 1977 and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 1979, is the national organization of anthropologists in the Philippines. It is also known as the Anthropological Association of the Philippines.
UGAT’s main objectives are:
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to promote, develop and disseminate anthropological knowledge;
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to promote, deepen the knowledge, understanding and participation of and among different ethno-linguistic groups in working towards an integrated national consciousness and development;
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to promote and forge linkages among anthropologists and others doing related work within the country and other parts of the world; and
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to uphold professional ethics.
Since its founding, UGAT has been conducting annual national conferences not only to discuss professional concerns but also to make anthropology more involved in national issues affecting Philippine society and culture.
UGAT is a regular member of the Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC) and the World Council of Anthropological Associations (WCAA). UGAT is also affiliated with the International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences (IUAES).
Some community members and participants of the 41st UGAT Annual Conference in a coastal village in Baybay City, Leyte. November 9, 2019.