"My name is Renz, born and raised in the Philippines, and in 2014, my family moved to Aotearoa, New Zealand. Moving to a new country as a teenager was challenging, but it shaped my resilience and adaptability. University expanded my worldview, exposing me to new ideas, diverse cultures, and opportunities. Although I initially pursued law at my parents’ encouragement, I soon discovered my passion for Sociology and Criminology, which deepened my understanding of societal issues. My Honours dissertation explored democratic backsliding in the Philippines under Duterte. The recent election of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., son of the late dictator, underscores how historical amnesia risk of repeating the history. Now, my Master’s thesis focuses on how Filipino civil society organizations challenge dominant historical narratives, addressing disinformation and the erosion of collective memory. Through this research, I aim to highlight the role of civil society in preserving historical truth amidst rising populist rhetoric and disinformation, particularly with the rise of generative AI."                                 

Renz William L. Alinabon, Research Associate