Fr. Michael Moga, SJ, can be considered as the singular figure who established, pursued, and developed philosophy as an academic program in the three Ateneo schools in Mindanao. He can be credited for having influenced their teaching tradition, although most of the senior faculty during the eighties actually went to Ateneo de Manila University to study for their graduate degrees. Their focus was mainly on instruction. But Fr. Moga would produce a dozen books in philosophy.
Ateneo de Manila's philosophical tradition is rooted in phenomenological existentialism, a paradigm-shift that was started by Dr. Ramon Reyes and Fr. Jose Cruz, SJ. While ADMU has pioneered the teaching of philosophy in Filipino, the same did not get a headstart in the Ateneo schools in Mindanao. Perhaps, the social and historical context of Mindanao demanded another approach. Such is clear in the works of Bro. Karl Gaspar, who is an anthropologist, but might as well be described as Mindanao's foremost philosopher.
An annual conference is held among the three Ateneos. In many of these conferences, the influence of Fr. Moga appears apparent in terms of the papers presented. But the event is mostly exclusive to Ateneo faculty members. The Philosophical Association of the Visayas and Mindanao, established in 1979 at the University of San Carlos, hosts its own annual event, but individual interests on the part of philosophy teachers from Mindanao, rather than an institutional vision, may well define their manner of participation.
A change in attitude happened when Fr. Albert Alejo, SJ, came to Ateneo de Davao University in the 90s. A social anthropologist who was trained at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, he posed this question - "What can philosophy contribute to the issue of peace in Mindanao?" The author of Tao Po, Tuloy, told the philosophy faculty to expand their horizon. In the decade that followed, faculty members at Ateneo de Davao would get their Erasmus Mundus scholarships to study in Europe. Such training would serve as an impetus for the growth of the discipline in the Southern region.
In fact, after their return, they would publish 50+ peer-reviewed papers combined, 20+ in Scopus-indexed journals. But efforts have been largely within the Ateneo. For instance, Dr. Rey Pilapil started the Philosophers' Rally at AdDU. Beyond the academe, Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc had discussed with Dr. Romulo Bautista and a few others the possibility of organizing a group. This resulted in the birth of the Social Ethics Society in 2010. There were 14 original members, mostly masters students in AdDU.
The SES holds an annual conference, beginning in 2011. It also founded the SES Journal. When Dr. Bautista died, the organization relied on the charismatic leadership of Fr. Dexter Veloso, who can be credited for sustaining the growth of the SES. Through his efforts, members of the SES have been provided support to present their papers abroad. Dr. Rogelio Bayod and Dr. Maboloc also received visiting professorship grants from the American University of Sovereign Nations.
The actual work of the SES is not exclusive to Mindanao. It is open to everyone and in fact, the organization has invited speakers from Manila during its annual conferences. However, the organization emphasizes Mindanao because it must be noted that philosophy teachers in the region are way behind in terms of scholarship. Not a single university in Mindanao, for instance, offers a PhD program in philosophy. However, this has not prevented the flourishing of critical thought in this part of the country.
Right now, philosophical research in Mindanao is in pursuit of answers to the island's deep historical struggles. "History and context matters," says Dr. Maboloc. Through the inspiration of Bro. Karl and the phenomenological rigor instilled by Fr. Moga, many have investigated and wrote papers on the narratives of its indigenous peoples. The other areas of concern are peace studies, radical politics and inter-religious dialogue, and environmental ethics.
- Christopher Ryan Maboloc, PhD
(N.B. - This article is not in any way a complete picture. It is aware of the philosophical system and reflexive tradition of Catholic seminaries in Mindanao as well as the philosophical works of Muslim scholars in Mindanao. Writing to address such gap is hereby encouraged.)