Faculty of Philosophy

Faculty of Philosophy

Degree Programs

Contact Information

Faculty of Philosophy (1611)

Degree Programs

Doctor of Philosophy

Licentiate in Philosophy

Bachelor of Philosophy (Classical)

Contact Information

Send us your feedback

Vision & Mission

Research Publication

Vision & Mission

Research Publication

The Philippiniana Sacra is the official publication of the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines. It is published three times a year with an Ecclesiastical Approval.

Articles written in English, Spanish, Latin, and Filipino (with English translation) and focusing on Philosophy, Theology, and Canon Law are welcome. Submitted manuscripts are subjected to a qualitative assessment of the editorial board and double-blind review.

The Philippiniana Sacra is presently a Commission on Higher Education-recognized research journal, with Category A-2 rank.

Updates

Student Organizations

Patron Saint

Updates

Student Organizations

Patron Saint

ST. CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA

(4th Century AD), virgin and martyr 

Secondary Patroness of the University of Santo Tomás                        

Patroness of the UST Faculty of Philosophy

Feast Day: November 25

Though the veneration of St. Catherine has been widespread since the 10th century, there is only a limited credible information concerning her life. According to popular tradition, she was born in Alexandria, the intellectual and cultural center of the ancient Mediterranean world, and had devoted herself to study since childhood. Through her reading, she had learned about Christianity and was converted. When the persecution of Christians escalated, she went to the Emperor to rebuke him boldly for his cruelty. Since the Emperor cannot answer her arguments against his pagan gods, he summoned fifty philosophers, who succumbed to her reasoning. Consequently, they were all burned to death. He then tried to offer her the consort’s crown, but she indignantly refused him, so she was beaten and imprisoned. The Emperor soon discovered that even his queen and his soldiers were converted to the true faith by Catherine, and were also put to death.

Catherine was then sentenced to die on a spiked wheel. When she was fastened to the wheel, her bonds were miraculously loosened and the wheel itself broke, its spikes flew off and killed some of the onlookers. She was then beheaded. According to legend, her body was carried by angels to Mount Sinai, where a church and monastery were built in her honor. 

St. Catherine’s practice of Philosophy became an occasion for conversion, the motive for martyrdom, and represents the depths of charity and wisdom of God. According to tradition, she triumphed by closing the mouths of sophists, and her intercession was implored by theologians, apologists, pulpit orators, and philosophers. Before studying, writing, or preaching, they besought her to illumine their minds, guide their pens, and impart eloquence to their speech. St. Catherine of Alexandria is the patroness of the UST Faculty of Philosophy and the secondary patroness of the University of Santo Tomas. 

 

Sources:

  • Voragine, Jacobus (1275), and Caxton, William (1483; trans.), Legenda Aurea, Ch. 172. 
  • Clugnet, Léon. “St. Catherine of Alexandria.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 3. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908. 19 Apr. 2021.

Administrators

Rev. Fr. Felix F. delos Reyes, O.P.

Officer-in-Charge

Rev. Fr. Christopher P. Garinganao, O.P., PhD

Assistant Officer-in-Charge

Asst. Prof. Warren S. Maneja, MA

Faculty Secretary

Faculty Members

Rev. Fr. Isidro C. Abaño, O.P., SThL, MA 

Licentiate in Sacred Theology

Master of Arts in Theology

Rev. Fr. Reynaldo J. Adalid, O.P., S.Th.B., PhL

Licentiate in Philosophy

Bachelor of Sacred Theology

Prof. Jove Jim S. Aguas, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy, major in Philosophy

Prof. Fleurdeliz A. Albela, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy, major in Philosophy

Rev. Fr. Ernesto M. Arceo, O.P., SThL, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy

Prof. Clarence M. Batan, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology

Mr. Pierre Jasper Bacolod

Ms. Chrisma B. Calumpang, MA

Master of Arts

Rev. Fr. Jun Arvie Belo, PhL, MA, JCL

Licentiate in Philosophy

Master of Arts

Licentiate in Canon Law

Professor Emeritus Rev. Fr. Dionisio G. Cabezon, O.P. Lect., SThL, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy

Rev. Fr. Rodel S. Cansancio, O.P.

Bachelor of Philosophy

Bachelor of Sacred Theology

Assoc. Prof. Jovito V. Cariño, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy, major in Philosophy

Rev. Fr. Norberto M. Castillo, O.P., MA, SThL, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy

Professor Emeritus Alfredo P. Co, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy

 

Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P. EHL

Licentiate in Church History

Rev. Fr. Luis David, S.J., PhD

Doctor of Philosophy

Rev. Fr. Felix delos Reyes, O.P. PhL

Licentiate in Philosophy

Rev. Fr. Maximo P. Gatela, O.P., PhL

Licentiate in Philosophy

Robert Paul Jurado, MA

Master of Arts

Rev. Fr. Jose Adrian Emmanuel Layug, PhL, MA

Licentiate in Philosophy

Master of Arts

Rev. Fr. Roland D. Mactal, O.P., SThD

Doctor of Sacred Theology

Rev. Fr. Jesus Jr. M. Miranda, O.P., PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership

Assoc. Prof. Rosalyn G. Mirasol, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Reading Education

Mr. Emil Morales, MA

Master of Arts

Rev. Fr. Rommel Olivar, O.P., MA

Master of Arts

Asst. Prof. Jaezamie V. Ong, MA

Master of Arts in English Language Testing

Rev. Fr. Hermel O. Pama, O.P., PhD

Doctor of Philosophy

 

Atty. Elgin Michael C. Perez, Ll. B.

Bachelor of Laws

 

Prof. Ma. Agnes G. Ponsaran, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy, major in Philosophy

Prof. Joel C. Sagut, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy, major in Philosophy

Rev. Fr. Rudolf Steven N. Seño, O.P., PhL

Licentiate in Philosophy

Prof. Marie Antonette S. Vargas, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology

Support Staff

Mrs. Cecilia Rebelyn Flores
Office Assistant
(SWDB and Community Development Coordinator / Student Activities)

Mr. Jefferson Ong

Office Clerk
(Student Records)

Mr. Jeruel Jireh D. Cebeda

General Clerk

Mrs. Nona Ong

Office Clerk
(Office Communications and Files)

History

The Ecclesiastical Faculties of Sacred Theology, Philosophy, and Canon Law have always been considered as integral components of the University of Santo Tomas, which Pope Leo XII proclaimed a Pontifical University on September 17, 1902 through the Constitution Quae Mari Sinico. Pope Pius XII, meanwhile, declared UST as “the Catholic University of the Philippines” in 1947.

Towards the end of the 17th century, when new buildings had been constructed and able men with Doctorate in Canon Law had come to join the professorial staff, the University obtained the Brief “Inscrutabili” from Innocent XI, dated August 7, 1681 whereby this Faculty, together with those of Civil Law and Medicine were erected. On January 17, 1682, the Faculty to teach the canons was granted to the Dominicans by the Master of the Order. King Charles II of Spain also recommended on November 22, 1682, the erection of the Faculty.

However, because of the political unrest then reigning in the Islands, the plan was not carried out, even if Archbishop Pardo, then Rector of the University, had already granted in 1689 the necessary financial aid for its maintenance. Early in the 18th century, in 1702 and again in 1715, the government maintained the establishment of a legal course, but which was however, suppressed in 1726.

Finally, on the 12th of November 1732, the School of Sacred Canons, with an enrollment of 41 students, was solemnly inaugurated, with a chair of Canon Law in place. The school was subsequently confirmed both by the King of Spain on October 23, 1733, and by Pope Clement XI with his Brief “Dudum emanarunt” of September 2, 1734.
 

Adapted from: Fr. Rodel E. Aligan, O.P., Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Fr. Jose Ma. B. Tinoko, O.P. in 400 @ 800: A Tribute to the 8th Centenary of the Order of Preachers (1216-2016), published by the University of Santo Tomas.