Philippines Ventures for International and Transformative Academia (UP VINTA), conducted a lecture-workshop for the Filipino community in Hong Kong titled “LEVEL UP SI MARITES! Joining the Fight Against Fake News, Scams, and Malicious AI.” The event was held on 26 July 2026 at Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong.
Despite the suspension of activities at the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong due to inclement weather, the UP VINTA Lecture-Workshop proceeded in partnership with Full Phils.
The UPOU delegation was led by UPOU Chancellor Prof. Joane Serrano, with Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) Assistant Professor Raz Dela Torre, and University Research Associate Ms. Sydney Macahiya.
Wise Marites and the “New Fight”
Fake news, scary scams, and deepfakes have proliferated in social media algorithms and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This became the highlight of the lecture-workshop attended by 40 OFWs, which aimed to “level up” the role of “Marites” in fighting misinformation.
“The arc is to change the meaning of ‘Marites.’ Instead of being a passive scroller or a victim of these scams, we all have to ‘level up’ into active truth warriors who know how to spot lies, protect our families, and actually use AI tools for good,” shared Asst. Prof. Raz Dela Torre, faculty member of the UPOU FICS, who served as the resource speaker of the lecture-workshop.
Asst. Prof. Raz Dela Torre facilitates the lecture-workshop for OFW participants in Hong Kong.
Group 2 discusses its analysis of a scenario on online threats during the interactive part of the workshop.
The participants were later engaged in an interactive activity where they discussed real-life scenarios involving fake news, scams, and AI-generated content, applying the concepts discussed during the lecture.
The discussion emphasized that digital literacy goes beyond knowing how to use technology. It requires understanding of how it shapes the information people encounter, so they can better protect themselves and others from fake news, scams, and malicious AI.
Asst. Prof. Dela Torre also shared three strategies for navigating the digital landscape: “unawain ang mundo, depensahan ang ating tribo, at piliin ang aktibong kabutihan.” He reminded participants to be more conscious of the information they encounter, look after the people around them, and use technology in ways that contribute positively to their communities.
They were also introduced to different lenses that can help them navigate information online: “lente ng algorithm, lente ng emosyon, lente ng panahon, lente ng beripikasyon, lente ng paninindigan, lente ng espasyo at respeto, at lente ng malasakit.” These lenses encourage users to pause, examine information more carefully, and consider its context and possible impact before believing or sharing it.
For OFWs, these lessons are especially relevant as digital platforms remain an important way of staying connected with their families and communities back home. By becoming more critical and responsible users of technology, they can also help protect the people they care about from misinformation, scams, and other online risks.
The UPOU delegation together with Full Phils and the OFWs from Hong Kong who attended the workshop.
The lecture-workshop ended with a reminder for participants to look after one another, especially as they navigate life away from their families. In doing so, they can put into practice the call to “depensahan ang ating tribo at piliin ang aktibong kabutihan” (stand up for our community and choose to do good).
Written by Maryrose Alingasa and Sydney Rovin Macahiya | Edited by Primo G. Garcia and Anna Cañas-Llamas
