Social Ethics Society

By Ruben O. Balotol, Jr.  Why are there few scholarships in Leyte? How do we encourage faculty members and scholars in Eastern Visayas to make Leyte the focus of their study? Is there an avenue for scholars in Leyte to discuss their ideas? How do we make people see the role of philosophy?  These are just some of the questions we ask and reflect on among ourselves. This is where it all begins, in which the process of sharing our ideas becomes an important basis for having the shared goals, vision, and dedication in establishing the Association of Eastern Visayas Studies. It was a shared goal together with former colleagues in Visayas State University-Tolosa Campus.  With the support of the faculty members, department heads, deans, and the Chancellor through a series of consultations, a plan of activities was carefully crafted to realize the goals of creating an association. The Association of Eastern Visayas Studies aims to:  - To promote and share knowledge and studi...

  By Menelito Mansueto Slavoj Zizek is probably one of the most controversial thinkers of our time. He is one of the most popular too. He has debated against Jordan Peterson, the Canadian psychologist, whose very elementary understanding of Marxism was exposed by Zizek. Down here in Southern Leyte, a quiet and unassuming young scholar has actually co-authored a publication with Zizek.  Mr. Ruben Balotol, a young professor at Barauen Community College, is co-author of "Redefining the Common Causes of Social Struggles," which is published in the International Journal of Political Philosophy. "Ruben is proof of the potential and capability of scholars down South," explains Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc.  Mr. Balotol has published several works in local and international journals, including book chapters. He has also delivered lectures in public forums and conferences sponsored by the Social Ethics Society, Societas Ethica, and Phavisminda. A prolific writer, he has been...

Dr. Randy Tudy has been chosen as one of the 2025 Academics Stand Against Poverty (ASAP) - Yale University Global Justice Program Fellow. Dr. Tudy, who is a Professor at the University of Southeastern Philippines, will work on Artificial Intelligence and its application in Poverty Alleviation. The fellows were presented during an online activity held on May 15, 2025. Mihai Lupu, ASAP Fellowship Program coordinator, hosted the event. Dr. Thomas Pogge and other Yale Global Justice fellows were also present.  ASAP is a global network of scholars and academics empowered and working to mobilize talent and resources in academia through research and advocacy. Dr. Pogge, who heads Yale University's Global Justice Program, is the current president of ASAP.  ASAP also publishes the prestigious ASAP Journal. The journal tackles the most recent theories and explanations on poverty and global justice. Fellows are chosen based on their academic resume and research topic.  The 2025 ASAP...

By Migs Mansueto Trained in the country's best universities, Ateneo de Manila University for Philosophy and Mindanao State University in Marawi in Language Studies, Dr. Godiva Eviota-Rivera has helped the Social Ethics Society shift its focus and attention in terms of imbibing the truly Mindanawon direction of its brand of local philosophizing. "She is our testament to women power and the SES is blessed to have her," says Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc. Dr. Rivera is a long-time peace advocate and educator. She has delivered important lectures to various conferences and events, including those hosted by the Philosophical Association of the Philippines. Dr. Rivera is a full professor in MSU Marawi. She is the mentor to young and promising philosophy scholars in the Bangsamoro region, including Khalid Rinamuntao and Jumadir Mungkon. Dr. Rivera is also well published. Her most important paper being the narrative on the 2017 Marawi Siege. Indeed, Dr. Rivera is an inspiration to...

By Migs Mansueto  A humble yet truly capable leader, Dr. Roger Bayod is one of those silent workers who is actually making a big difference in the real struggle for inclusion. When he previously worked at Cor Jesu College, he brought top-ranked and global scholars to the school. The list included Cambridge-trained Dr. Darryl Macer and Japanese scholar Wataru Kusaka, author of Moral Politics in the Philippines. This Dr. Bayod did while doing his graduate studies in philosophy at Ateneo de Davao University. "He is a good leader. The right man for the job if you want to change things," says Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc. Dr. Bayod will go on acting as organizer and chair of two or three SES conferences. He had also brought to his former school other international scholars, including Daniel Mishori, Juichiro Tanabe, among others. Dr. Bayod is now a consultant at North Valley College in Kidapawan City. The task at hand that he embraces is still intact. He has slowly done for NVM th...

The Social Ethics Society, in cooperation with Waseda University in Tokyo, North Valley College and MSU-IIT, successfully held an online Public Forum on Philippine Democracy last May 9, 2025. The event, which was joined by 152 participants, highlighted the state of affairs in Philippine politics and society. The speakers were Dr. Juichiro Tanabe, Dr. Rogelio Bayod, Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc, Dr. Godiva Eviota-Rivera, Dr. Arnel Morte, Mr. Migs Mansueto, Mr. Ruben Balotol, and Atty. Jamil Matalam. The resource persons tackled issues such as liberal peace and its critics, gender and women empowerment, voting as a moral obligation, the prospect for a Mindanawon philosophy, the problem of political dynasties, and the issues concerning the Bangsamoro. In particular, Dr. Rogelio Bayod proposed a Mindanawon philosophy that is based in the experience, struggle and aspirations of the people in Mindanao. Ms. Sweet Aviles of MSU-IIT hosted the event. Dr. Ian Clark Parcon gave the opening remark...

  North Valley College and Cebu Technological University entered into a Memorandum of Agreement on Research and Publication last May 2, 2025. Dr. Anesito Cutillas of CTU- Argao signed on behalf of his institution and Dean Dave Alpanta of North Valley represented the school.  Dr. Rogelio Bayod helped forge the agreement that is aimed at conducting field work in the Southern Philippines on areas such as climate change and resiliency, indigenous wisdom and education, and the influence of modern technology on IP communities.  The other members of the research team include Dr. Juichiro Tanabe (Waseda University), Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc (Ateneo), Prof. Migs Mansueto (MSU-IIT), Prof. Gleemore Makie (Benguet State) and Dr. Charli Dagwasi (Benguet State). The Department of Science and Technology provided funding for the research.