This session is being convened in honour of Professor Victor J. Paz (1967-2024). Victor was a staunch advocate of archaeology and heritage, a tireless institution-builder, and a magnanimous mentor. In this session, we aim to celebrate his legacy in Philippine and Southeast Asian archaeology. In 2003, Paz wrote an article entitled ‘Terms to Ponder for a Southeast Asian Archaeologist’ in the Proceedings of the Society of Philippine Archaeologists (KAPI Proceedings). In this thoughtful piece, he problematised core concepts such as ‘prehistory’ and terms used for archaeological chronology, periodization, and regionalisation. Over two decades later, the disciplinal terminology used across the region continues to be questioned and challenged, particularly as epistemology, ethics, and praxis have changed across time. For instance, do we continue to divide the study of archaeology into prehistory and history, and what are the bases of their applicability within Southeast Asian archaeological discourses? Do we use deep history, palaeohistory, or early history instead of ‘prehistory’? In this light, we encourage papers that engage these discourses and ponder upon archaeology’s core concepts. We also extend the notion of ‘terms to ponder’ in the sense of terms of engagements by which archaeologists and heritage advocates enact their practices and interact with various communities and collaborators across the region. As both archaeologist and historian, Victor was deeply interested in the history of archaeological practice, and so contributions related to this topic as well as to archaeological pedagogy are also most welcome. As we try to piece together his legacy, we also encourage submissions (in the form of papers, posters, and multimedia formats) related to various projects that Victor led and was involved in, such as the Palawan Island Palaeohistory Research Project, the Catanauan Archaeology and Heritage Project, the archaeology of Manila, and Southeast Asian archaeobotany. Victor encouraged constructive debates regarding various aspects of archaeological thinking and practice, and we hope the session will engender lively discussions and discourses as a way of celebrating the archaeological life of Victor. Mabuhay ka, Victor!