About the Social Ethics Society
The Social Ethics Society (SES) is the first professional philosophical organization in Mindanao, dedicated to advancing philosophical research, applied ethics, democracy, and social justice. It promotes scholarly collaboration, supports emerging scholars, organizes academic conferences, and publishes scholarly works, with particular emphasis on ethics, radical democracy, good governance, peacebuilding, global justice, sustainability, and Indigenous peoples’ rights.
2010–2014: The Founding Years
The Social Ethics Society began with just 15 members, most of whom were graduate students of Dr. Romulo Bautista and Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc, who had recently returned from his studies abroad. The Society held its inaugural conference at the University of Mindanao, marking an important milestone in the development of philosophical scholarship and collaboration in Mindanao. Dr. Maboloc was elected as interim president of the SES during a meeting at the University of Immaculate Conception in Davao City.
In 2013, the Society’s Constitution and By-Laws were drafted at Lake Agko and subsequently ratified during its Third Annual Conference at Notre Dame of Marbel University. These foundational milestones reflected the members’ commitment to establishing a professional philosophical organization dedicated to advancing philosophical inquiry and scholarly exchange in the region.
The idea of establishing a philosophical association in Mindanao emerged from conversations between Dr. Bautista and Dr. Maboloc during their afternoon breaks at a modest coffee shop near Ateneo de Davao University. What began as informal discussions eventually developed into a scholarly community committed to addressing the ethical, political, and social concerns of Mindanao and beyond.
2015–2017: Institutional Growth and National Expansion
Fr. Dexter Veloso assumed the presidency of the SES during this period, ushering in a phase of institutional growth and broader academic engagement. The Society began inviting scholars from Manila and the Visayas to serve as plenary speakers, expanding the annual conferences beyond their regional origins and giving them an increasingly national scope.
Through Fr. Veloso’s initiative, SES members also began participating in international academic events. During this period, the Society was officially registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), strengthening its institutional foundation.
Another significant milestone was the launch of the SES Journal of Applied Philosophy at Pearl Farm Resort during the Fifth Annual Conference. Fr. Urbano Pardillo Jr. served as the journal’s first editor, helping establish a formal platform for philosophical research and publication.
Fr. Veloso and Dr. Maboloc also represented the Society at the Kumamoto Bioethics Round Table at Kumamoto University in Japan, further expanding the SES’s international academic engagement.
2018–2020: Leadership Renewal and International Engagement
Dr. Aldrin Quintero was elected president, bringing new leadership to the Society. During his term, the SES invited prominent scholars from the University of Santo Tomas, together with Bro. Karl Gaspar, to speak at a conference held in Lake Sebu. These engagements strengthened the Society’s academic network and reinforced its commitment to philosophical inquiry grounded in Mindanao’s social realities.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the Society’s Tenth Annual Conference as an in-person event. In response, the SES organized online lectures featuring international scholars, including Dr. John Weckert, Dr. Juichiro Tanabe, Dr. Daniel Mishori, and Dr. Layne Hartsell. This transition demonstrated the Society’s capacity to sustain scholarly exchange despite unprecedented challenges.
Dr. Quintero also attended a meeting of the Union of Societies and Associations of Philosophy in the Philippines (USAPP) in Pampanga to express the SES’s intention to join the national organization. Meanwhile, Dr. Rogelio Bayod and Dr. Randy Tudy joined the editorial board of the SES Journal of Applied Philosophy, contributing to the journal’s continuing development.
Fr. Veloso, Dr. Bayod, Dr. Quintero, and Dr. Maboloc also participated in the Bioengineering Ethics Conference at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, broadening the Society’s engagement with international discussions on ethics and technology.
In 2018, Dr. Maboloc and Dr. Bayod attended the First Politics and Culture Conference, held at Nagoya University and organized by Dr. Wataru Kusaka. In 2019, the Second Politics and Culture Conference was hosted by Cor Jesu College. Subsequent editions of the conference have been held online. The event is now in its seventh edition and will be hosted by North Valley College.
Another important development was the establishment of Philippine Democracy Online by Dr. Maboloc, with Prof. Menelito Mansueto serving as co-editor. This initiative provided an additional platform for scholarly discussion on Philippine democracy and political affairs.
2021–2024: Resilience, Continuity, and Scholarly Productivity
Fr. Veloso returned to the presidency after being elected during a hybrid event, succeeding Dr. Quintero. He guided the Society through the continuing challenges of the pandemic while sustaining its academic activities and institutional vision.
Beginning in 2023, Dr. Rogelio Bayod chaired the Society’s annual conferences, demonstrating strong organizational and management skills. His leadership in conference planning complemented Fr. Veloso’s efforts to advance the SES’s vision and mission.
International scholars, including Dr. Daniel Mishori and Dr. Juichiro Tanabe, served as plenary speakers at two annual conferences, reinforcing the Society’s international connections and academic reach.
Fr. Veloso, Dr. Quintero, and Dr. Maboloc also participated in the 22nd Asian Bioethics Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, further strengthening the Society’s engagement with international bioethics scholarship.
The SES also expanded its publishing activities through the release of several books, including Radical Politics in the Philippines, a collection of philosophical research on COVID-19, and Gerry Arambala’s The Rise & Fall of a Mindanao Boss: Radical Politics in Ozamiz. These publications reflected the Society’s commitment to documenting and critically examining Philippine political life, public issues, and the philosophical dimensions of Mindanao’s experience.
2025–2027: Internationalization and a New Era of Growth
The period from 2025 to 2027 marks a significant phase in the continuing development of the Social Ethics Society. With a membership exceeding 130, the organization has strengthened its academic network, expanded its international partnerships, and increased the visibility of philosophical scholarship originating in Mindanao.
A major milestone was the organization of the SES–PUP International Ethics Conference in partnership with Waseda University and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Held at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan, the conference marked the Society’s first international gathering of this scale and provided a venue for dialogue among scholars working on ethics, democracy, peace, global security, and sustainability.
The Society also welcomed prominent international scholars to Mindanao, including Dr. Darryl Macer and Dr. Wataru Kusaka, further enriching the region’s intellectual and academic environment. Dr. Nima Rezaei of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences and President of the Universal Science Education Research Network served as the keynote speaker in the Mindanao Public Health Conference that was co-organized by the SES and North Valley College.
Dr. Ian Clark Parcon assumed the position of chief editor of the SES Journal of Applied Philosophy, providing new editorial leadership for the Society’s scholarly publication. Meanwhile, Dr. Bayod, Dr. Maboloc, and Fr. Veloso attended the 23rd Asian Bioethics Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, continuing the SES’s participation in international philosophical and bioethical discussions.
In 2025, the SES withdrew from USAPP to focus more directly on its mission of nurturing philosophical scholarship in Mindanao and strengthening its regional academic community.
Another important development was the election of Dr. Godiva Eviota-Rivera as Society secretary. Recognized for her pioneering work in peace education, her election added to the Society’s leadership and reflected its continuing engagement with peacebuilding and education.
As the SES moves toward 2027, its trajectory reflects the growth of a regional philosophical association into a scholarly organization with national and international connections. Its continuing challenge and aspiration are to strengthen philosophical research in Mindanao while contributing meaningfully to broader conversations on democracy, ethics, peace, justice, sustainability, and human dignity.
Conclusion: A Continuing Legacy
From its beginnings with 15 members to a growing community of more than 130 scholars, the Social Ethics Society has developed through the dedication of its presidents, officers, members, and academic partners. Each period of leadership has contributed to its institutional development, research culture, publications, and international engagement.
The history of the SES is more than a record of conferences and organizational achievements. It is a testament to the conviction that philosophical inquiry has an important role to play in understanding and addressing the pressing ethical, political, and social challenges of Mindanao and the wider world. As the Society continues to grow, it remains committed to cultivating a vibrant philosophical community and advancing scholarship that contributes to a more just, democratic, peaceful, and sustainable society.