Menelito "Migs" Mansueto is not your typical scholar. He is not the silent type "pen and paper" academician. Migs is a graduate of Holy Name University and a student of the late Eddie Babor, notably the most prominent philosopher from Bohol who was formerly the president of PHAVISMINDA. Today, the young scholar from Bohol is the rising star when it comes to critical thought and political philosophy. He has taught at the University of Santo Tomas, FEU-Diliman and presently, at Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
Migs will give the Opening Remarks in the last leg of the 2021 SES Webinar Series, to be held on July 6. The series has been successful. Past speakers in the virtual event include international scholars such as Juichiro Tanabe and Layne Hartsell, and the philosopher John Weckert. Daniel Mishori of Tel Aviv University will headline the event in July. The local scholars who gave online lectures were Atty. Jamil Matalam, Prof. Ian Clark Parcon, Dr. Randy Tudy, Dr. Rogelio Bayod, Dr. Al Quillope, Dean Benjiemen Labastin, Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc, and Prof. Mansueto himself.
Migs will contextualize the theme "Philosophical Perspectives in the Margins." He will do justice to those who have been marginalized by dominant narratives. Other speakers include Dr. Godiva Eviota of MSU, Dr. Cesar Tecson of CJC, and Mr. Gerry Arambala of La Salle University Ozamiz. In the words of Dr. Randy Tudy, "we have the talent, skill and capacity to develop that independent identity..." In the end, it is the work of teachers in the peripheries that determine the value and purpose of philosophical reflection.
Indeed, other rising stars when it comes to philosophical scholarship can be found in the South. This includes the likes of Jan Gresil Kahambing, Gerry Arambala, Dr. Vida Valverde, Dr. Raymundo Pavo, Prof. Parcon, and Jonas Robert Miranda. They have published several papers in indexed international journals. In terms of leadership, Fr. Dexter Veloso, Dr. Roger Bayod, and Dr. Randy Tudy hold important positions in local and international organizations that help promote the output of young academics in the region.