Ateneo to Spotlight Filipino Storytelling Through Launch of New Book on Cultural Intelligence

The Ateneo de Manila University Rizal Library, in collaboration with Areté, is set to host the Philippine launch of “Culturally Intelligent Storytelling for Southeast Asian Creators,” the latest book by author, educator, and media professional Ned Legaspi. The event will take place on July 23, 2026, at The Loft in Areté, bringing together leaders from the fields of media, entertainment, education, and social sciences to discuss the evolving role of culture in storytelling.

While attendance is by invitation, the program will be accessible to a wider audience through a livestream on the Ateneo de Manila University Rizal Library Facebook page.

The launch goes beyond the traditional presentation of a new publication. It serves as a forum for industry practitioners, academics, and creative professionals to explore how Filipino narratives can remain authentic to their cultural roots while connecting with audiences across different backgrounds and regions.

Leading the program as hosts are media personality and television host Jervi Wrightson, popularly known as KaladKaren, and Galvin Radley Ngo, Director of the Ateneo Institute for the Science and Art of Learning and Teaching (SALT).

Joining the discussion are several respected figures in Philippine media and education, including ABS-CBN’s Mark Nepomuceno, GMA Network Head Writer John Kenneth “Ken” De Leon, acclaimed filmmaker Direk Ruel S. Bayani, producer and talent manager Noel Ferrer, Ateneo Department of Communication Chair Dr. Christine Cox, and School of Social Sciences Dean Dr. Maria Regina Hechanova-Alampay.

Central to the book is the CIS Bamboo Framework, a storytelling model developed by Legaspi that guides creators through four stages: StoryRoot, StoryCraft, StoryPulse, and StoryLeaf. The framework is designed to help writers, filmmakers, content creators, and communicators build narratives that remain culturally grounded while resonating with diverse audiences.

The book first gained international attention during its introduction at the Cultural Intelligence (CQ) Fellows Retreat in Santa Monica, California, in November 2025. Since then, it has sparked conversations about the importance of cultural awareness in an increasingly interconnected creative landscape.

Legaspi brings decades of experience to the subject. He spent more than 30 years in international media, including his most recent role as Head of Content and Creative Services at ABS-CBN Global and The Filipino Channel. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Philippine Studies at the University of the Philippines Diliman and serves as a part-time faculty member at the Ateneo Department of Communication.

He is also a Cultural Intelligence Fellow, having been selected as one of only 20 global practitioners chosen from hundreds of applicants for the prestigious fellowship led by cultural intelligence expert Dr. David Livermore.

The CIS Bamboo Framework represents the first comprehensive application of Legaspi’s broader C3 Bamboo Framework, a developing model focused on Culture, Communication, and Connection. Through this approach, Legaspi examines how stories, individuals, and communities navigate cultural boundaries while preserving identity and fostering meaningful understanding.

The upcoming launch highlights the growing importance of culturally informed storytelling and its role in shaping narratives that are both locally meaningful and globally relevant.