About the Book: 

How do nations use war memorials to shape their national and international identities? In War Memorialization and Nation-Building in Twentieth-Century Southeast Asia, John Lee Candelaria explores this intriguing question through the lens of three Southeast Asian nations: the Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore. He reveals how these countries harnessed the memory of war to forge national unity and legitimize state power, all while navigating complex international relations during a century marked by colonial transitions, world wars, and Cold War tensions. How did these nations construct compelling narratives of their past through monuments and memorials? From glorifying heroes to commemorating victims, Candelaria analyzes the shifting portrayals of war and their profound impact on collective memory and contemporary societies. This book offers a cross case analysis of the three countries and sheds new light on the enduring power of war memory in shaping national identity and international relations in Southeast Asia.

About the Speaker:

John Lee Candelaria is an Assistant Professor of History at Hiroshima University, specializing in memory, memorialization, and Philippine and Southeast Asian studies. His research explores the interplay of history, politics, and media, with a focus on war memory, heritage, and peace. He is particularly interested in how societies grapple with the legacies of conflict and utilize memory to shape their present and future.

Candelaria’s work has appeared in journals such as Memory Studies, Asian Politics & Policy, and The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus. He received his Ph.D. from Hiroshima University and also holds degrees in History from the University of the Philippines Diliman. In addition to his academic work, he co-hosts and produces PODKAS, a podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities of Philippine history, politics, and society.