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Why Join the SES Conference?

The Social Ethics Society (SES) Conference is the annual philosophy conference organized by the Social Ethics Society , the first professional organization of philosophy teachers, researchers, and graduate students primarily based in Mindanao (Southern Philippines). Its current President is Fr. Dexter Veloso, a priest and academic leader known for his charismatic approach. Founded in 2010 by the late Dr. Romulo Bautista and Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc in Davao City, the SES has grown into a significant platform for philosophical discourse, with its conference typically held every year (historically in October, though recent editions like the 16th in 2026 shifted to February at venues such as Holy Cross of Davao College), an event chaired by Dr. Rogelio Bayod. Its contributions to philosophy in the Philippines include: Decentralizing and regionalizing philosophical activity — Philippine philosophy has long been Manila-centric, dominated by elite institutions in the capital. The S...
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Christopher Ryan Maboloc: Revolution away from the center

Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc is a prominent Filipino philosopher whose work has significantly shifted the landscape of Philippine philosophy from abstract metaphysics toward applied ethics, political realism, and social justice. ​As an Associate Professor at Ateneo de Davao University and a 2020 Public Intellectual Prize awardee, his impact is characterized by "philosophizing from the margins"—bringing the struggles of the Global South and Mindanao into mainstream academic discourse. Maboloc is credited with bringing radical democracy into mainstream Philippine academic discourse starting around 2016–2017. His work, notably the book Radical Democracy in the Time of Duterte, argues that Duterte’s antagonism toward traditional elites represent a form of radical struggle or agonism. Maboloc is widely recognized as the leading figure and "leading radical democratic theorist" who introduced and popularized the application of Radical Democratic Theory to the local politic...
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xAI Series/Mindanao Philosophy: Featuring Fr. Dexter Veloso

Fr. Dexter Veloso (full name often Fr. Dexter C. Veloso, Fr. Dexter Veloso, DCD, PhD, is a Filipino Catholic priest, philosopher, ethicist, and academic leader based in Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines. Key details about his profile: Priestly Role: He is a Roman Catholic priest (often referred to as Fr. or Rev. Fr.). He has served as parish priest in various Davao parishes, including San Isidro Parish in Lomundao, Davao City (earlier roles) and later Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Poblacion District, Davao City (installation around 2026). Academic and Teaching Role: Philosophy professor and ethics instructor at St. Francis Xavier College Seminary in Davao and the Holy Cross of Davao College. He teaches courses in philosophy, ethics, and related subjects.  He has advanced degrees, including a Master's in Philosophy (from Ateneo de Davao University) and a PhD (noted in contexts like American University of Sovereign Nations or related programs, with focus on environmental ethics/bioeth...
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xAI Series/Mindanao Philosophy: Featuring Menelito Mansueto

Menelito Mansueto (full name often listed as Menelito P. Mansueto or Menelito Piscos Mansueto) is a Filipino academic and philosopher. He serves as an Assistant Professor (sometimes listed as Professor) in the Philosophy Department at Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Philippines. His scholarly work focuses on areas such as: Decolonization and decolonial theory (including a 2024 book titled Decolonial Turn in the Philippine South , published by KDP Publishing, which draws on Enrique Dussel's philosophy of liberation and discusses paradigm shifts in the Philippine South influenced by political and cultural dynamics) Media theory Psychoanalysis Peacebuilding Philosophy of liberation Critiques of technology (e.g., in the Anthropocene era) Epistemic injustice (applying concepts like Miranda Fricker's to Philippine social realities) Engagements with thinkers like Nietzsche (e.g., reinterpreting "Go...
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xAI Series/Mindanao Philosophy: Featuring Kristine Ann Alcazar

Kristine Ann Alcazar (her full name is Kristine Ann Cruz-Alcazar or Kristine Ann C. Alcazar) is a college lecturer and faculty member at Bukidnon State University (BukSU), located in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, Philippines. Key details about her professional profile: Position: College Lecturer (as listed on LinkedIn and other sources). She has been associated with the university since at least 2020, teaching general education courses and philosophy. She is also an active officer of the Philosophical Society of Bukidnon. Teaching Focus: She has authored or co-authored instructional modules for GE 102: Ethics (a core general education subject in Philippine higher education), including materials distributed during the COVID-19 period for remote learning.  Academic/Research Involvement: She is active in philosophical and interdisciplinary discussions. In early 2026, she had a paper accepted for oral presentation at the 16th Social Ethics Society (SES) Conference: "Art on the Edge: AI, ...
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xAI Series/Mindanao Philosophy: Featuring Dean Benjiemen Labastin

Benjiemen Labastin (full name often Benjiemen A. Labastin or Benjiemen Aban Labastin) is a Filipino philosopher, academic, and administrator based in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental, Northern Mindanao, Philippines. Key details about his profile: Current Position: Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at La Salle University (LSU) in Ozamiz City (as of AY 2025-2026). He is also an Assistant Professor in the Philosophy department/program. Academic Expertise: Specializes in political philosophy, democratic theory, Philippine democracy/politics, hermeneutics, post-modernism, and related areas like critical engagement, radical politics, and applied ethics. His work frequently analyzes contemporary Philippine issues, especially the Duterte era (e.g., "Dutertismo" as a contested form of populism/authoritarianism vs. substantive democracy). Notable Publications: "Two Faces of Dutertismo: Two Visions of Democracy in the Philippines" (2018, Social Ethics Society Journal of ...
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xAI Series/Mindanao Philosophy: Featuring Joefer Maninang

Joefer Maninang is a Filipino philosopher and academic based in Bukidnon. He serves as an Instructor (and regular faculty member) of Philosophy at Bukidnon State University (BukSU). He taught previously at the University of Mindanao and Ateneo de Davao University. Academic Background: AB Philosophy from Xavier University (completed in 2004), MA Philosophy from Ateneo de Davao University, He is a PhD candidate at UP Diliman. His work focuses on applied philosophy, Filipino philosophy, social psychology concepts like kapwa (a core idea in Sikolohiyang Pilipino/Filipino Psychology, originally from Virgilio G. Enriquez), ethics, political philosophy (e.g., drawing on Hannah Arendt's vita activa and references to Philippine political slogans like "Daang Matuwid"), environmental rights (e.g., the Writ of Kalikasan), and related topics such as vaccine policies or bioethics. He has published papers in journals like Philosophia (e.g., "On Kapwa: A Core Concept in Filipino Soc...
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