Assistant Professor

Research Interests

International Trade, Public Economics, Applied Econometrics

Courses taught

• Econ 104 (Macroeconomics II)
• Econ 106 (Mathematical Economics)

Education

• Ph.D. Economics, University of the Philippines School of Economics, 2018 to 2022
  • Dissertation: “Essays on trade liberalization, inequality, and unemployment” (Adviser: Prof. Maria Joy Abrenica)
• M.A. Economics, University of the Philippines School of Economics, 2016 to 2018
• A.B. Economics (honors program), Ateneo de Manila University, 2008 to 2012, Magna cum laude

Academic, Research, and Other Positions

• Assistant Professor, UP School of Economics, January 2023 to present
• Research Assistant, World Bank (Philippine Country Office), Finance and Markets Global Practice, July 2014 to June 2015
• Junior Research Assistant, World Bank (Philippine Country Office), Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Unit, April 2012 to June 2014

Awards and Fellowships

• Teaching fellow and dissertation-writing grant, Philippine Center for Economic Development (2018 to 2022)
• Graduate coursework grant, Philippine Center for Economic Development (2016 to 2018)

Research

Policy notes and reports

• “Foreign Direct Investment and Foreign Ownership Restrictions in ASEAN” in Preserving Stability and Promoting Growth, World Bank East Asia Pacific Economic Update April 2014, (with Brendan Coates, Sjamsu Rahardja, Monica Wihardja, Christine Ablaza, Karl Kendrick Chua, Tina Epetia, Louie Limkin, Jan Carlo Punongbayan, and Andrew Beath)
• “Pursuing Inclusive Growth through Sustainable Reconstruction and Job Creation”, World Bank (Philippine Country Office) Philippine Economic Update March 2014, (with Karl Kendrick Chua, Paul Mariano, Kai Kaiser, Amelia Johnston, Joseph Louie Limkin, and Kevin Cruz)
• “Policy Options for Liberalizing Philippine Maritime Cabotage Restrictions”, World Bank (Philippine Country Office) Philippine Economic Update July 2014, (with Karl Kendrick Chua, Marianne Juco, Kevin Cruz, Wael Mansour, Christine Ablaza, Nonong Dato, Robby Galang, Gerlin Catangui, Melanie San Luis, and Tess Lacerna)

Work in progress

• The costs of export bans (with Maria Joy Abrenica, Maria Socorro Gochoco-Bautista, and Ricardo Guzman)
• A prisoner’s dilemma game with envy and status-seeking
• Sectoral outcomes under country-level labor market frictions

Other Academic Duties

• Referee work for the Philippine Review of Economics (UP Diliman)

Curriculum Vitae
Personal website