In a groundbreaking achievement for Philippine academia, Dr. Christina Gabrillo has become the first Filipina scholar to participate in the prestigious World Shiology Forum, marking a significant milestone in global food systems discussions.
Historic Participation in Global Food Dialogue
Dr. Christina Gabrillo, a Professor V at Visayas State University's Department of Development Communication (VSU-DevCom) in Baybay City, Leyte, made history as the first Filipina representative at the 5th World Shiology Forum held from October 28 to 31, 2025 in Haikou, China. This emerging global platform brings together leading minds to shape the future governance of food systems worldwide.
The forum gathered more than 500 prominent scholars, policymakers, and practitioners from over a hundred countries to explore Shiology - an innovative interdisciplinary field that examines food as a holistic system. Rather than viewing food merely as sustenance, Shiology considers it as a fundamental intersection of culture, ecology, health, behavior, economy, and governance.
Drawing from the Chinese word "shi" meaning food or eating, this scientific framework positions food as central to human well-being and societal development. Dr. Gabrillo's invitation extended beyond mere participation, as she served as one of the official panelists engaging in high-level discussions about food systems, sustainability, and the social dimensions of food behavior.
Bringing Filipino Perspectives to Global Stage
Leveraging her extensive background in development communication and years of work in agricultural communication across Eastern Visayas, Dr. Gabrillo brought a grounded, people-centered perspective to the international discussions. Her contributions highlighted the lived realities of Filipino farmers, coastal communities, and disaster-affected households, ensuring that Philippine narratives reached a forum traditionally dominated by voices from larger, more resource-rich regions.
In a space typically occupied by economists, agronomists, nutrition scientists, and policymakers, Dr. Gabrillo emphasized the crucial role of development communication. She provided valuable insights into human behavior, cultural narratives, information ecosystems, and participatory governance within food systems discussions.
Contributing to Global Food Systems Report
Dr. Gabrillo further distinguished herself as the only Filipino co-author of the significant publication "Global Food Systems & SDGs Report 2025: A Systematic Stocktake of Food System Issues and Solutions." The book, published by the Research Center for Shiology at Renmin University of China and the Beijing Shiology Research Institute, was officially launched during the forum.
The comprehensive report outlines five dimensions of food needs:
- Basic sustenance
- Dietary diversity
- Food safety
- Healthy longevity
- Sustainable supply
As a co-author, Dr. Gabrillo provided crucial insights on food cultures, communication, and human behavior, drawing from her extensive experience working with farming communities, youth groups, and disaster-prone areas throughout the Philippines. She emphasized the complexities of food access in archipelagic regions, the influence of cultural identity on food choices, and the vital role of communication in shaping food governance.
Her involvement ensured that Filipino narratives, particularly those originating from rural and climate-vulnerable communities, were embedded in a global report expected to inform future international frameworks on food systems transformation.
Creating Pathways for Future Collaboration
In an interview, Dr. Gabrillo expressed her gratitude to the World Shiology Forum Secretariat for inviting her to participate in this unexplored transdisciplinary field, which remains relatively new to Filipinos. She emphasized that her participation "opens new pathways for VSU to engage with global conversations on food systems and sustainability."
"It allowed me to bring home fresh perspectives, new frameworks, and potential partnerships that will strengthen our research, enrich our academic programs, and empower our communities in Eastern Visayas," Dr. Gabrillo stated.
Beyond her academic role, Dr. Gabrillo serves as the director for Student Affairs and Services at VSU and concurrently manages DYDC 104.7 FM, a community development campus radio station. Her impressive career includes a ten-year tenure as head of the VSU Department of Development Communication and her current position as communication specialist for the Abaca Coalition, an intergovernmental alliance working to revive the vibrant abaca (Manila Hemp) industry in Southern Leyte.
Her international experience includes selection as an Innovative Fellow of the Asia-Pacific Leadership Program at the East West Center in Honolulu, Hawaii from 2019 to 2021, and she is an alumna of the Radio Nederland Training Center on community broadcasting since 2017.
Dr. Gabrillo's historic participation in the World Shiology Forum not only celebrates individual achievement but also signals the growing recognition of Filipino expertise in global food systems governance, potentially opening doors for more Philippine scholars to contribute to international discussions about sustainable food futures.
