The culminating event of the Ramon Magsaysay Transformative Leadership Institute Lecture Series, “The Magic of Miyazaki: Inspiring Peace and the Human Spirit Through Purposeful Storytelling” lecture discussed the life and works of Ramon Magsaysay awardee Mr. Hayao Miyazaki on July 16 at the ARG theater at the Benilde Taft Campus.
The program included an exclusive video with Hayao Miyazaki himself, a lecture between panelists, and a question and answer portion. The event reflected on what art can do: more than just entertainment, just like Miyazaki’s works, it has the potential to impact society and act as a vessel for truth.
A reflection on art’s potential
“Today’s gathering is more than a lecture. It is a reflection on arts’ impact on society,” Br. Edmundo Fernandez FSC said during the opening remarks. The event welcomed both Benildeans and non-Benildeans who shared the love for Miyazaki’s animated films.
An exclusive video was shown with Mr. Toshio Suzuki, co-founder and producer of Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki discussing the award. When asked about the Ramon Magsaysay award, Mayazaki remembered his first time hearing about the award when he was a child at his school playground. He mentioned how the name made an impression and stuck with him throughout his years. The video narration also went over the various themes of Miyazaki’s films, how it covered environmentalism, the effects of war and pacifism among others with nuance and care.
Br. Fernandez summed it up best when he said, “Miyazaki’s films are enchanting, not because they offer escape but because they offer clarity,” while Studio Ghibli movies have whimsical and fantasy elements, its issues are grounded in reality.
Different perspectives, same love for the arts
With Br. Fernandez as the moderator, joining him were three esteemed panelists: Mr. Daniel Enriquez, executive director of the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI), Ms. Maia Tangco who is researcher and lecturer at the Japanese program in Ateneo de Manila university, and J-mee Katanya, artistic director of the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA).
During the panel discussion, the four dissected Studio Ghibli movies and the complexities the plot and characters have. Ms. Tangco noted the way themes and issues were not dumbed down, that “there’s a trust he [Miyazaki] places on his viewers,” when Miyazaki crafts storylines. An example of this would be when talking about Princess Mononoke, Br. Fernandez noted that even Lady Eboshi, the film’s main antihero, was a leader who led her town to economic progress–however it came at the price of the environment.
After the discussion, a question and answer session invited the audience to engage in the discussion as well. Questions such as “In a world where everything is already created, what’s the point of creating things?” and “Is AI a tool or something we should be scared of?” reflected the current environment artists are under. Artists assured creatives in the audience that AI is a tool, and without a unique creative voice, no meaningful art can be made.
Inspiring the next generation of storytellers
Benildeans left the theater with personal takeaways and advice they’ll carry with them in their creative journeys. For ID124 AB-Animation student Emma Amontiero, their main takeaway is that the world still needs your art, “Despite a world where almost everything is already done, there's so many social issues—you can still give your take.”
The same sentiment is shared by Chloe San Miguel, an ID124 MMA student, emphasized the significance of storytelling in art. In a time when content is produced rapidly and sometimes without intention, she believes it's the narrative behind the work that gives it soul.
“Because in this day and age, there just keeps on creating and creating without... Any motive. It's like you don't have a goal in a way, you just keep on creating for the sake of it [...] If you put storytelling to it, the work will be more special [and] shows who you are as an artist,” she shared.
Hazel Godoyo, also an ID124 MMA student, finds joy in creating handmade trinkets that reflect her passion and identity. For her, art is most impactful when it’s rooted in sincerity and shared meaning. When asked about her inspirations, she pointed to the legendary Miyazaki.
His works, she said, made her feel motivated not just to create, but to enjoy the process and let it resonate with others. “It’s very inspiring as an artist. I feel so motivated to enjoy my craft and to share it with everyone,” she explained.
Miyazaki’s work goes beyond captivating animation—his stories resonate because they speak to universal truths, inspiring both artists and audiences to look inward and reflect on the world around them. Miyazaki’s influence encourages young creatives to go beyond surface-level creation and infuse their work with meaning. Beyond his films, he has made a lasting impact to a generation of storytellers committed to creating art that connects, heals, and inspires.
Through events like the Ramon Magsaysay Transformative Leadership Institute Lecture Series, Miyazaki’s influence continues to echo across cultures and generations. His stories don’t just live on screen—they live in the hands of every artist he’s inspired, in every story told with care, and in every audience moved to see the world a little more kindly.
