Complying with the Congress’s pledge to diversity, researchers from UST gave talks and took part in panels that broadened the discussion on Filipino philosophy and its role in international discourse. Professor Jove Jim S. Aguas of the Department of Philosophy, Graduate School, and Center for Theology, Religious Studies, and Ethics was a major contributor to the Congress. In addition to moderating and chairing the PAP Society Session titled “Filipino Philosophy in Dialogue: Expanding the Conversation,” Aguas contributed to the Center for Research in Values and Philosophy (CRVP) Round Table Discussion on National Values by presenting a paper titled “The Ambiguity of the Filipino Sense of Nationalism and Filipino Identity.”

In the Contributed Paper Sessions, Thomasian scholars presented their respective papers: 

鈼徛� 聽聽聽 Prof. Fleurdeliz R. Altez-Albela, PhD (Department of Philosophy, Graduate School, and Center for Theology, Religious Studies, and Ethics) – “What Is Levinasian in Sustainability?: Sustainability in the Economy of Being Through Levinas鈥� Third”

鈼�      Junior Teacher Blaise D. Ringor, PhD (Senior High School and Ecclesiastical Faculties) – “Education, Christian Values, and the Voiding of Reason: John Henry Newman鈥檚 Personalist Education”

鈼�      Mr. Christian U. Solis, MA (Senior High School and Graduate School) – “Towards Understanding Fidelity in Marriage and Family: Paul Ricoeur on Man鈥檚 Capacity to Promise”

鈼�      Mr. Charles Aldrin A. Delgado (Graduate School) – “Christianity as Discomfort: Kierkegaard鈥檚 Philosophy of Religion”

鈼�      Inst. Ivan Efreaim A. Gozum, MA (Institute of Religion and Graduate School) – “Understanding Filipino Close Family Ties Through Gabriel Marcel鈥檚 Mystery of the Family”

Aguas also presented the paper entitled “The Relevance of the Metaphysics and the Notions of Being and Analogy of St. Thomas.”

These talks demonstrated the breadth and depth of philosophical study at UST and the contributions made by Filipino academics to international philosophical debates. Additionally, through one-on-one interactions, the Congress gave Filipino scholars a rare chance to fortify relationships and build mutual trust.

The Congress emphasized Rome’s long-standing position as a crossroads of civilizations, and it began with a ceremony at the ancient Baths of Caracalla. Prof. Luca Maria Scarantino, President of FISP, and Prof. Antonella Polimeni, Rector of Sapienza University, both emphasized the merging of humanistic and scientific cultures in philosophical conversations, reinforcing this subject of interconnection in their introductory statements.

Scholars addressed pressing ethical, social, cultural, political, and spiritual concerns all week long. Topics covered included the ethics of artificial intelligence, with discussions on the implications of AI on human decision-making and the ethical responsibilities of AI developers, and the place of spirituality in secular cultures, with debates on the role of spirituality in a modern, secular society. The Congress featured round table discussions, invited sessions, symposia, contributed paper sessions, endowed lectures, plenary sessions, student sessions, and the FISP General Assembly. The goal of these talks was to question conventional wisdom in philosophy by tackling issues of sustainability, gender and cultural diversity, inequality, and other modern world concerns.

Every five years, the WCP is arranged by the Federation Internationale des Soci茅t茅s de Philosophie (FISP) or the International Federation of Philosophical Societies. The WCP is a major conference that brings together philosophers, educators, students, and philosophy aficionados worldwide for a week-long discussion of a certain issue.

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Professor Jove Jim S. Aguas, PhD of the Department of Philosophy discoursed on 鈥淐hristian Humanism and St. Thomas鈥檚 Notion of the Human Person,鈥� where he acknowledged that as science and technology advanced, spiritual dimensions of human life often became ignored. Using Aquinas鈥檚 philosophy, Aguas 鈥渟hows that a humanism centered on Christian belief is still a relevant and more acceptable proposition over modern and secular humanism.鈥� Furthermore, Aguas said that 鈥渇or St. Thomas, man has a spiritual component, and he is ordained towards God. He developed a Christian humanism anchored on theological personalism, a concept that emphasizes the unique relationship between each individual and God and how this relationship shapes our understanding of human dignity and purpose.鈥�

Meanwhile, Junior Teacher Blaise D. Ringor, PhD of the Senior High School and concurrent Academic Collaborations Officer of the Ecclesiastical Faculties, presented his paper entitled 鈥淔rom Garden of Eden to Garden of Gethsemane: Dietrich von Hildrebrand鈥檚 Ethics of Incommensurability as a Justification of Loving as Critical Thinking,鈥� where he argued that the interiority of the person is neglected by traditionalist views of ethics. In doing so, he looks at Dietrich von Hildrebrand鈥檚 critique and discourses on the former鈥檚 ethics of incommensurability to address the flaw by integrating the reality of loving into critical thinking. Ringor argued that 鈥淗ildebrand鈥檚 approach provides a robust ethical framework that acknowledges the full complexity of the human person, thereby enriching critical thinking with a deeper understanding of love’s ethical significance.鈥�

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This innovative conference aims to explore the burgeoning field of ethical literary and cultural criticism, a theory and method of interpreting and analyzing literature from an ethical perspective. The event will gather esteemed scholars and students from around the globe to highlight the intersection of ethics and literature, and the role it plays in understanding and shaping human experiences.

Keynote Lecture by Distinguished Professor Nie Zhenzhao

The conference will be highlighted by a keynote lecture titled “Ethical Literary Criticism: Its Theory and Application,” to be delivered by Professor Nie Zhenzhao, MAE, of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and Professor Emeritus of Zhejiang University, China. Professor Nie is a renowned scholar in the field who is the President of the International Association of Ethical Literary Criticism. His work has earned him international recognition, including being named to Stanford University鈥檚 World鈥檚 Top 2% Scientists List and a Most Cited Chinese Researcher by Elsevier.

Plenary Speaker: Professor Leonard Harris

Joining the spotlight at the event as a plenary speaker is Professor Leonard Harris of Purdue University, Indiana, a celebrated philosopher known for his critical pragmatism and the Harrisian conception of philosophy. Professor Harris’s contributions to the field, including his notable works on philosophy and ethics.

Conference Highlights and Registration

To deliver plenary lectures throughout the conference or serve as reactors after the panel presentations are highly esteemed academics from top universities abroad like Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhejiang University, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies in China, Kyung-Hee University in South Korea, Purdue University in the US, and the University of Macau.

Capping the event will be the establishment of the Ethical Literary and Cultural Criticism Association of the Philippines (ELCCAP), the first and only one in the country to be made up of academics, scholars, researchers, writers, artists, and students.

Attendees are invited to register for the conference, at a fee of Php 3,000.00 for regular participants and Php 1,000.00 for students. Registration can be completed online at

With the conference focus on the exciting interplay of ethical criticism and literary and cultural texts, the conference promises to be a landmark occasion in the country for engaging in intellectually stimulating forum for students, and professionals alike.

For further information and media inquiries you may visit UNITAS official facebook page:

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Prince Nur-Hakeem N. Buisan won first place for his poster entitled 鈥淐ore vs. Edge Differentiation of Myxomycetes Community Assemblages in a Secondary Growth Experimental Forest in Southern Mindanao, Philippines.鈥� This study is under the supervision of Asst. Prof. Nikki Heherson A. Dagamac, Dr. rer. nat. Buisan鈥檚 paper attempted to contribute to the otherwise limited literature on the 鈥渦nderstanding of the dynamic influences of such factors on microorganisms鈥� and 鈥渧ariations in forest disturbance gradients.鈥� The moist chamber technique was used in the study site, Cotabato province.

Meanwhile, Ervinna M. Cruz won second place for the poster entitled: 鈥淕rowth-Promoting and Protective Potential of Fungal Root Endophytes Associated with a Pioneer Grass in a Lahar-Affected Area,鈥� which was supervised by Prof. Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz, Dr. rer. nat., FPAM. The study proved the ability of the 鈥渋solated fungal endophytes to protect the plant host against pathogens.鈥� The fungal endophytes were sourced from the roots of Saccharum spontaneum L., a pioneering grass species in a lahar-strewn environment.

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Day 1

Kicking off the plenary sessions, Prof. Fr. Mark Daniel Holtz, O.P., Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy of Pontificia Universit脿 San Tommaso d鈥� Aquino, will lecture on 鈥�Plurium verorum plures veritates: Alethic Pluralism and the Plurality of Truth in Thomas Aquinas鈥�.聽 Meanwhile, Prof. Jovito Cari帽o, PhD of the UST Department of Philosophy will share his insights in his lecture entitled, 鈥�Tagpuan, Tapatan, Talaban: Si Santo Tomas de Aquino, Dayalogo at ang Kontemporanyong Paghahanap sa Katotohanan鈥� (Encounter, Exchange, Engagement: St. Thomas Aquinas, Dialogue and the Contemporary Search for Truth).

Inst. Sir-Lien Hugh Tadeo, MA will serve as the moderator.

Day 2

Sr. Prof. Catherine Joseph Droste, O.P. of the Pontificia Universit脿 San Tommaso d鈥� Aquino will lecture on 鈥淔orming Conscience in a Contemporary World: Aquinas鈥檚 Teaching on the Gifts of Wisdom and Counsel鈥�. Lastly, fr. Rodel E. Aligan, O.P., SThD, UST Graduate School Regent, will cap the plenary sessions with his lecture on 鈥淩elevance of St. Thomas Aquinas on Truth, Communication and Authenticity of Christian Life in the Digital Age鈥�

Asst. Prof. Maila M. Blanza will be the day’s moderator.

The two-day conference is organized by the Ecclesiastical Faculties, Faculty of Arts and Letters, Institute of Religion, Graduate School, and the Center for Theology, Religious Studies and Ethics to celebrate the Triennium of St. Thomas Aquinas: the 700th聽anniversary of his canonization (2023), the 750th anniversary of his death (2024), and the 800th anniversary of his birth (2025).

Visit /aquinasconference/ for more details.

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The workshop focused on the application of smartphones in chemical measurement.  Salcedo and Galiga demonstrated the utilization of smartphone camera to measure color changes, allowing for more accessible and cost-effective analytical measurements.

The workshop attracted the interest of a number of participants from different parts of the country. The participants were shown the potential of smartphone-based colorimetry, particularly in areas where access to traditional laboratory equipment may be limited. The workshop also underscored the importance of creativity in chemistry and the potential for technological advancements to advance the discipline.

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Aguirre also discussed the creation of the International Sustainability Standards Board and how its proposed standards might impact certain companies with relevant sustainability issues and topics. The lecture concluded by stating the key factors in fostering sustainability, such as educating stakeholders, establishing the appropriate governance mechanisms, engaging the process owners, and the expansion of systems.

This year鈥檚 panel of reactors was composed of Prof. Cheryl R. Peralta, Dr.PH, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, 探花精选; Mr. Conrad Allan M. Alviz, Partner, SGV & Co.; Dr. Maheran Zakaria, Senior Lecturer, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Malaysia; Dr. Jestoni Babia, Dean of the School of Education and Director of Education for Sustainable Development Center, University of San Jose – Recoletos; Ms. Diane Carmela T. Querrer, journalist and alumna of the College, and Ms. Kathrina A. Nazario, senior management accounting student.

The multi-sectoral panel reacted to the main lecture by highlighting the roles of cultural and contextual nuances in designing sustainability strategies in organizations. Several reactors highlighted the need for sustainability strategies to be anchored and aligned with the organization鈥檚 collective identity. Furthermore, the role of technology in creating sustainability strategies was highlighted. Finally, the importance of communication and storytelling in stakeholder management, in the context of sustainability, has been discussed.

The 17th WSL was part of the 18th Foundation Anniversary celebration of the College, with a theme, Sustainability Practices for Inclusive Growth.

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The COMIUCAP World Congress MANILA 2022 will be hosted by the 探花精选, Manila, Philippines on 16-18 November 2022. Because of the uncertainties brought by the pandemic, the Congress will adopt a hybrid/hyflex mode of meeting, where the speakers and attendees may participate according to their preferences either online or at the venue.

The theme of the Congress remains as originally conceived and so we wish to refresh the original rationale for the Call for Papers to new applicants:

It is evident in the history of the Catholic Church how both faith and reason have been instrumental in the conversion of Rome and its eventual triumph in Europe, from which it has spread across the world through both cross and sword. Yet the dawn of the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) provided the opportunity for ecumenism with Orthodox Churches and Protestantism, but more so it laid down guidelines for possible interfaith and intercultural dialogue with the immense cultural and intellectual heritages of the East particularly the great traditions of Asia. This marked a movement in evangelization from cross and sword to the opportunity of listening to the other culture.

Since the closing of Vatican II in 1965, numerous publications have been focused especially on the theme of dialogue. These include Fides et Ratio, Ad Gentes: Decree on the Mission Activity of the Church, Nostra Aetate: Declaration on the Relation of the Church to non-Christian Religions, Evangelii Nuntiandi: Dialogue in Mission, and Redemptoris Missio: Dialogue and Proclamation, among others.

Coincidentally, the 探花精选 convenes this Congress as part of the 500th year Jubilee of the Christianization of the Philippines. In view of all these, we invite scholars to reflect on the engagement of faith, reason, and dialogue in today鈥檚 world, particularly in the rich opportunity of listening to cultures from the East. The conference is open, but not limited, to the following themes:

饾棛饾棓饾棞饾棫饾棝

鈥� Success of evangelization of the West

鈥� Attempts at evangelizing Asia

鈥� Evangelizing after the Second Vatican Council

鈥� Christianity in Asia

鈥� 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines

鈥� Tracking the Future of Asian Evangelization

鈥� Rapprochement of the Vatican and China

鈥� Assessing the status of Christianity in Asia

鈥� Resolution of the Rites Controversy and the Future of Christianity in China

鈥� Theologizing in the Asian context

鈥� Prospects for Asian Christianity in the Digital Age

饾棩饾棙饾棓饾棪饾棦饾棥

鈥� Impact of Western Philosophy to the Fathers and the Doctors of the Church

鈥� Philosophy鈥檚 Ancillary Role to Theology in Asia

鈥� Impact of Religion to Doing Philosophy Today

鈥� Reason in Eastern Cultures and Philosophies

鈥� Philosophy and Culture in Asia

鈥� Indian Philosophy and Christian Philosophy

鈥� Chinese Philosophy and Christian Philosophy

鈥� Revisiting the East-West Philosophy Encounter

饾枣饾棞饾棓饾棢饾棦饾棜饾棬饾棙

鈥� Role of dialogue in spreading the faith

鈥� Ecumenism and inter-faith dialogue

鈥� Chinese culture in dialogue with Christian faith

鈥� Indian culture in dialogue with Christian faith

鈥� Dialogue between religion and politics

鈥� Christianity as cultural meeting point

鈥� East-West Dialogue of Faith and Reason

鈥� Challenges to Dialogue in Asia

鈥� The Problem of Dialogue of Faith and Reason

鈥� Filipino Culture in Dialogue with Christian Faith

Abstracts for contribution that meet the conference aims are welcomed for parallel presentations. We also accept proposals from philosophical and theological associations and other intellectual groups for roundtable discussions. Plenary speakers are solely by invitation.

The official languages of the conference will be French, English, and Spanish. It is however urged that papers not written in English be accompanied by an English abstract to be attached to the final paper.

We are open to non-traditional presentation formats, but we encourage the proponent to clearly specify the intended composition, content, and mode of participation stipulated in the proposal. The proposal is subject to evaluation before it will be allowed for presentation at the event.

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Asst. Prof. Patungan dealt with the topic Machine Learning in Education: Improving Student Outcomes and Accelerating Research. In his talk, he defined Data Analytics and looked into the current state of data science analytics and artificial intelligence in the Philippines. He concluded with the application of data mining and machine learning in education.

His talk enlightens educators with the changes in our educational paradigm due to the advancement of technology, as machination learning poses both positive and negative effects on teaching and learning. Worldwide, there is a race to establish a stable and accurate technological system to support students鈥� learning. These quests, though helpful in improving learning, should not detriment students鈥� creativity. Thus, data analytics, systems, and programs, according to Mr. Patungan, are some of the salient domains that educators should consider. To promote a better understanding of these advancements and changes in our educational paradigm, teachers should equip themselves with the foundation as well as the application of these concepts.  

Mr. Patungan has been actively involved in several projects at the University that involve the use of data analytics in decision-making. He also headed the team that proposed the offering of a bachelor鈥檚 degree new program, the BS Data Science and Analytics, which will commence this August. The program, housed in the College of Science, is a joint offering of the College of Science and the College of Information and Computing Sciences. 

The conference gathered researchers from teacher education institutions, as well as education professionals, from both local and national industries. It served as an avenue for participants to share relevant research findings and messages to local and regional audiences.The entire proceedings is available on the 4^th Teacher Education Research Conference Facebook Page.

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With the aim to bring fresh insights and updated information on pharmacology and toxicology research, the Faculty of Pharmacy and the College of Science of the 探花精选 and the Chung Yuan Christian University 鈥� Taiwan will organize a joint international webinar series entitled “International Collaboration on Toxicology and Pharmacology” on April 6-7, 2022 via Google Meet.

On the first day, Prof. Ross D. Vasquez, PhD of the Department of Pharmacy and the Research Center for Natural and Applied Sciences (RCNAS) will lecture on “Alpinumisoflavone and Syringin as promising anti-cancer drug leads: Molecular docking in vitro studies and drug-likeness profiling”, while Prof. Kelvin H.C. Chen of the National Pingtung University of Taiwan will lecture on “Functional peptide preparation and application”. Finally, Prof. Allan Patrick G. Macabeo, Dr. rer. nat. of the Department of Chemistry and RCNAS will lecture on 鈥淒ownplaying NF-kB activation in RAW 264.7 macrophages as a promising strategy to discover anti-inflammatory agents: The case of flavonoids from Uvaria Alba鈥�.

Prof. Chung-Der Hsiao of the Chung Yuan Christian University 鈥� Taiwan will serve as the moderator of this session.

On the second day, Prof. Chung-Der Hsiao of the Chung Yuan Christian University – Taiwan will lecture on 鈥淗ow deep learning can be beneficial for zebrafish toxicology and pharmacology studies鈥�; while Prof. Chia-Hung Yen of the Kaohsiung Medical University will lecture on 鈥淐ombination of plant extract libraries, high-throughput screening platforms and molecular networking analysis for accelerating natural product drug discovery and nutritional supplement development鈥�; and lastly, Prof. Yu-Heng Lai of the Chinese Culture University of Taiwan will lecture on 鈥淶ebrafish: An excellent model for toxicology and pharmacology鈥�.

Assoc. Prof. Agnes Castillo, PhD of the Department of Pharmacy and RCNAS will serve as the moderator for this session.

To register, you may fill-out the Google Form .

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