TOKYO, JAPAN — The 2nd Social Ethics Society–Polytechnic University of the Philippines (SES-PUP) International Ethics Conference brought together philosophers, academics, researchers, and scholars from the Philippines and abroad at Waseda University in Tokyo from September 9 to 11, 2026. Held for the second time in Japan’s capital, the conference examined the relationship between ethics, peace, democracy, human dignity, global security, and sustainable development. Dr. Juichiro Tanabe and Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc delivered the opening messages.
The conference featured distinguished keynote and plenary speakers from the Philippines, Japan, and other countries. The first keynote speaker, Dr. Ayman Yousef of Arab American University, discussed the situation in Palestine and the conflict involving Iran and the United States. The second keynote speaker, Dr. Maji Rhee of Waseda University, examined virtue ethics in the age of artificial intelligence, focusing on the implications of AI systems for human society. The third keynote speaker, Dr. Yuji Uesugi of Waseda University, shered his experience in Afghanistan in which he explained the important role of aid agencies in helping vulnerable individuals, including women and children.
Among the featured plenary speakers was Dr. Juichiro Tanabe of Waseda University, who also served as conference chair. Tanabe played an important role in facilitating academic cooperation between Waseda University and the Philippine academic community. His participation strengthened the conference’s emphasis on dialogue, peacebuilding, and international solidarity. He has worked with researchers and scholars from Mindanao and has written and published on subjects including post-liberal peace, environmental ethics, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Ian Clark Parcon of Ateneo de Davao University, an expert on Jurgen Habermas and Chantal Mouffe, opened the plenary sessions with his lecture on corrective agonism, presenting it as a possible middle ground between deliberative democracy and agonistic philosophy. He underscored the need to find a compromise between deliberative and agonistic democracy in the pursuit of the common good. Dr. Randy Tudy of the University of Southeastern Philippines examined the uses, challenges, and risks of artificial intelligence in academic research. He zeroed in on the need to advance high quality research in the academe based on the integrity of one's work.
Dr. Rogelio Bayod of North Valley College discussed indigenous knowledge as a new paradigm in curriculum design. He emphasized how traditional knowledge has often been marginalized in academia or silenced within Western-oriented educational systems and methodologies. Dr. Bayod is recognized by Dr. Maboloc as one of the emerging scholars on Mindanao Studies. Prof. Migs Mansueto of MSU-IIT, in his paper, argued for the inclusion of Mindanao in broader cultural and philosophical conversations, advancing his scholarship on decoloniality and the politics of recognition. He criticized the historical exclusion of Mindanao and called for a more inclusive intellectual environment.
Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc of Ateneo de Davao University delivered a plenary presentation entitled “History and Indigeneity: A Preliminary Inquiry into Mindanao Philosophy.” His presentation examined the historical and philosophical development of Mindanao thought, highlighting indigenous knowledge, Bangsamoro history, colonial experience, and the emergence of contemporary philosophical traditions in the Southern Philippines. He cited the works of Macario Tiu, Karl Gaspar, Salah Jubair, and Fr. Michael Moga, SJ, as important genealogical sources for understanding the rich philosophical traditions of Mindanao.
The conference also featured perspectives from Fr. Urbano Pardillo Jr. of Saint Francis Xavier College Seminary and Fr. Dexter Veloso of Holy Cross of Davao College, who addressed questions concerning ethics, human formation, leadership, peace, and the responsibilities of educational and religious institutions in today's tumultuous political situation. Furthermore, Dr. Godiva Eviota Rivera of MSU Marawi discussed the role of metaphor in the philosophy of Paul Ricoeur, drawing on examples from local language to illuminate the virtues of peace and solidarity. Prof. Agnes Sunga Oblefias of PUP argued in favor of the subaltern in her discussion of inclusion and epistemic injustice. The two manifest women power in the SES as an organization.
Dr. Bernard Caslib Jr. of UP Manila and Ateneo de Manila University posed the question, “Can virtue be taught?” in his lecture on AI and virtue ethics, highlighting the challenges teachers face in the age of generative AI. Individual paper presentations addressed a wide range of contemporary ethical and political questions. Dr. Roland Theuas Pada of the University of Santo Tomas examined socialized violence while Dr. Anton Heinrich Rennesland also of UST explored aesthetics, the philosophy of the city, and urban bioethics; Erwin Bautista of UST discussed the Rawlsian theory of justice in terms of its application in a world that has become largely multicultural but intolerant of difference.
Dr. Maboloc’s presentation formed part of a broader intellectual project examining the evolution of Mindanao philosophy—from the historical and cultural writings of Macario Tiu and the liberation-oriented thought of Karl Gaspar, to the Bangsamoro intellectual tradition associated with Salah Jubair, the philosophy of Fr. Michael Moga, and contemporary political theory and indigenous philosophies. While he cited the above intellectuals, he also mentioned the European influence of the Erasmus Mundus scholars of the Ateneo de Davao University like Dr. Rey Pilapil, Dr. Parcon, the late Jose Ma. Tomacruz, and himself who introduced the ideas of John Rawls, Will Kymlicka, Thomas Pogge, and Chantal Mouffe.
The presentations further expanded the discussion on inclusion, indigeneity, and local knowledge. Dr. Noel Parinas of UPLB examined the issue of inclusive spaces, while Dr. Klein Fernandez of UPLB offered reflections on indigenous concepts such as kinabuhi. Dr. Parinas has been steadfast when it comes to his inquisitive mind being one of the advocates and active scholars who wrote about inclusion in public and cultural spaces. In connection with this perspective, Fr. Dexter Veloso categorically stated the importance of empowering those who are in the margins of society, citing Mindanao as a primary example.
Fr. Pardillo, in his synthesis of the activities, reflected on the authentic role albeit difficult task of philosophy. He said that such lies “not in knowing more but in learning to ask how to ask better questions.” Fr. Pardillo opened the way for the future by emphasizing on the ability to ask difficult questions in order to challenge oppressive systems. Precisely, Mindanao has been ignored for the longest time, excluded even in academia by elite institutions and Manila-centric politics. The SES is simply playing its role in order to fill that gap and help achieve a more democratic and inclusive institutions meant to serve the good of the people.
More than an academic conference, the SES-PUP gathering affirmed a shared commitment to ethics, world peace, democratic life, global solidarity, and the search for a sustainable future. It also strengthened intellectual and institutional links between scholars in the Philippines, Japan, and the wider international academic community. After the three-day conference, members of the Social Ethics Society (SES) took time to explore some of Japan’s historic and cultural landmarks. They visited the iconic Great Buddha of Kamakura, a magnificent bronze statue that reflects the city’s rich Buddhist heritage and centuries-old history.
Kamakura, located an hour south of Tokyo in Kanagawa Prefecture, is home to dozens of historic Buddhist temples established primarily during the Kamakura Period (1185–1333). As the capital of Japan’s first warrior-led shogunate, Kamakura served as the cradle of Zen Buddhism in Japan. Hase-dera, also known as Hase Kannon Temple, is one of Kamakura’s most celebrated Buddhist temples. Founded in the 8th century, it is renowned for its eleven-headed wooden statue of Kannon, the bodhisattva of compassion. Built along a wooded hillside, the temple features beautiful gardens, ponds, traditional halls, and scenic views of Kamakura and the Pacific Ocean. Its
The group traveled to Yokohama City, where they experienced its vibrant waterfront, modern urban landscape, and diverse cultural attractions. Yokohama City Square reflects the dynamic character of Japan’s second-largest city, blending modern architecture, open public spaces, and a lively urban atmosphere. Surrounded by commercial establishments, cultural attractions, and transportation hubs, the area serves as a gathering place for residents and visitors. They also visited the Yokohama Cup Noodles Museum, which showcases the history, creative development, and cultural impact of the instant noodles.
These post-conference visits provided the SES members with an opportunity to deepen their appreciation of Japanese history, culture, and traditions while strengthening friendships and celebrating the successful conclusion of the international gathering. The Social Ethics Society sincerely expresses its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the 2nd SES–PUP International Ethics Conference at Waseda University, most especially to Dr. Juichiro Tanabe of Waseda University who worked hard to establish the linkages with Filipino researchers and scholars. A third edition of the conference has been planned for next year.
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