The Mabini Review Journal is an international, biannual publication of the Office of the Vice President for Research, Extension, and Development, under the supervision of the Research Publications Office of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. The journal aims to promote scholarly exchange and encourage intellectual discourse within the academic community. It invites contributions from both local and international scholars, representing a range of philosophical perspectives. Emphasis is placed on clarity, coherence, and logical rigor in argumentation and exposition. The journal particularly welcomes works that critically engage with current issues, classical philosophical traditions, and emerging intellectual movements. Submitted manuscripts should be well-reasoned, thoroughly researched, and offer significant contributions to ongoing philosophical discussions. The journal also invites interdisciplinary contributions that engage with literature, cultural studies, the humanities, political theory, social history, Philippine studies, and related fields, insofar as they are grounded in substantial philosophical inquiry. The goals of the publication are as follows: (1) maintain confidentiality in managing submitted manuscripts; (2) observe timely publication of the journal; (3) pursue unbiased double blind review system; and (4) ensure that editorial decisions are based on originality, relevance, and quality of a manuscript and its contribution to the body of knowledge in the disciplines that the journal seeks to cultivate. Mabini Review is indexed and listed in the following: The Philosopher's Index Google Scholar Crossref PhilPapers Scilit: Scientific & Scholarly Research Database Andrew Gonzales Philippine Citation Index Philippine E-Journals Philippine Institute for Development Studies- Socioeconomic Portal for the Philippines Commission on Higher Education (CHED) granted Mabini Review Journal Category B Accreditation through CHED resolution No. 146-2015.
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
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Anatomy of Recto University: The Spatialization of Labor Production within the Document Forgery Industry (Anatomiya ng Recto University: Ang Pagsasaespasyo ng Produksyong Paggawa sa Industriya ng Document Forgery)
This paper examines the anatomy of the so-called “Recto University,” the informal and illegal industry of document forgery thriving along Recto Avenue in Manila. Using Henri Lefebvre’s Production of Space and his Spatial Triad spatial practice, conceived space, and lived space—the study analyzes how this space is produced, utilized, and imbued with meaning. It describes the dynamic operations among runners, masters, operators, clients, and even government actors to reveal the tensions between formal and informal, legal and illegal spaces. The paper further illustrates how Recto University emerges as a mechanism for survival amid limited economic opportunities and within a system that demands documented identity for employment and access to services. Ultimately, the analysis argues that Recto University is not merely a hub of illegality but a space produced through unequal power relations, marginalized economies, and social capital that binds together actors striving for livelihood and existence within the city. Sinusuri ng papel na ito ang anatomiya ng tinaguriang “Recto University,” ang di-pormal at ilegal na industriyang nakasentro sa pamemeke ng mga dokumento sa kahabaan ng Recto Avenue sa Maynila. Gamit ang lente ni Henri Lefebvre sa Production of Space at ang kanyang Spatial Triad—espasyong hayag (spatial practice), representasyon ng espasyo (conceived space), at kahulugan ng espasyo (lived space)—tinalakay ang paraan ng paglikha, paggamit, at pagbibigay-kahulugan sa espasyong ito. Inilarawan ang dinamikong kalakaran sa pagitan ng mga “runner,” “master,” operator, kliyente, at maging ng mga aktor mula sa pamahalaan upang maipakita ang tensyon sa pagitan ng pormal at di pormal, legal at ilegal na espasyo. Ipinakita rin kung paanong nalilikha ang Recto University bilang mekanismo ng pagsasalba o survival sa gitna ng kawalan ng oportunidad at istrukturang humihingi ng dokumentadong identidad para sa pagpasok sa trabaho at akses sa mga serbisyo. Sa huli, ipinapakita ng pag-aaral na ang Recto University ay hindi simpleng pugad ng ilegalidad, kundi isang espasyong produkto ng hindi pantay na kapangyarihan, marhinalisadong ekonomiya, at social capital na bumubuklod sa mga aktor na patuloy na nagnanasa ng kabuhayan at pag-iral sa lungsod.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mary Joy Parajas (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Pantayong Pananaw Bilang Dulog sa Teolohiyang Pilipino (From-Us-for-Us Perspective as an Approach to Filipino Theology)
Colonial and elitist theology have been dominating the Philippine theological landscape for a very long time. This is a kind of theology that is Western and thus alienated from the reality of Philippine society, and written in English and therefore cannot be comprehended by the people. Because of this, a large part of theology as an academic discipline is still irrelevant to the Filipino context. One of the instruments that can serve as an antidote to this problem is the use of Pantayong Pananaw (From-Us-For- Us Perspective) as an approach. Through Pantayong Pananaw, Teolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino Theology) can enrich itself as a Filipinization movement in various aspects. Some of these aspects are the application of emic concepts, use of Filipino language, translation, and exposition of Filipino theologians’ thought. The development of these aspects is a great leap forward toward the construction of a Teolohiyang Pilipino that is truly relevant to Filipino society.
Copyright (c) 2023 Mark Joseph P. Santos (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Self-Surrendering Love: Initial Musings on Karuna and Caritas
The paper explores and exposes the connections between the Buddhist virtue Karuna and the Christian virtue Caritas. Employing a text-based analysis approach, the paper argues that both Karuna and Caritas have intersections, though their origins and inherent development in each religious tradition differ. After the exploration and exposition, it is found out that both virtues may be considered expressions of self-surrendering love whereby a faithful person sets aside oneself for the greater or common good, much more the good of the other. This is exemplified by the Bodhisattvas and the Saints, two interesting religious figures in Buddhism and Christianity, respectively.
Copyright (c) 2026 Wesley Kim Soguilon (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
BOOK REVIEW: Agustin Martin Rodriguez. From the Oppressed Land toward the Exulted Nation: How the Filipinos understand the Philippines (Agustin Martin Rodriguez. Mula Bayang Sawi Hanggang Lupang Hinirang: Ang Pag-uunawa ng Pilipino sa Pilipinas)
In Agustin Martin Rodrguez's book entitled "Mula Bayang Sawi Hanggang lupang Hinirang: Ang Pag-uunawa ng Pilipino sa Pilipinas," he continued his philosophical project that discusses the different rationalities in a society. However, in this book, Rodriguez's enrichment of the discourse regarding the inequitable and unequal enjoyment of development took on a more historical bent. Drawing from different periods in Philippine history, Rodriguez demonstrated how the pursuit of freedom and justice is not just an abstract issue, but are concepts that permeate many dimensions of the Filipinos and the hardships and oppressions they endure. Although the lack of philosophical analysis in other parts of the book can be criticized due to the use of different ideas and interpretations by scholars in different disciplines, this review will show that the book has a philosophical challenge for Filipinos: to define development not only for oneself but also for one's kapwa. This message that emerges in the book shows that the face of oppression is not only in foreign invaders but also in Filipinos who decided to elevate themselves, even if it means stepping over other people's lives. Sa libro ni Augustin Martin Rodriguez na pinamagatang “Mula Bayang Sawi Hanggang Lupang Hinirang: Ang Pag uunawa ng Pilipino sa Pilipinas,” ipinagpatuloy niya ang kanyang pilosopikal na proyektong tumatalakay sa iba’t ibang rasyonalidad sa isang lipunan. Ngunit sa librong ito, mas nagkaroon ng hilig sa pag-aaral ng kasaysayan ang pagpapayaman ni Rodriguez sa diskurso patungkol sa hindi patas at pantay-pantay na pagtamasa ng kaunlaran. Mula sa iba’t ibang yugto sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, ipinamalas ni Rodriguez kung paanong ang pagkamit ng kalayaan at katarungan ay hindi lamang mga abstaktong usapin kundi mga bagay na tumatagos sa maraming dimensyon ng pagkatao ng mga Pilipino at ang kanilang mga dinaranas na paghihirap at paniniil. Bagaman mapupuna na kakulangan sa pilopikal na pag-aanalisa sa ibang bahagi ng libro bunsod ng paggamit ng iba’t ibang ideya at interpretasyon sa mga pantas sa iba’t ibang disiplina, ipapakita sa rebyung ito na may pilosopikal na hamon ang libro sa bawat Pilipino: ang bigyang kahulugan ang kaunlaran hindi lamang para sa sarili kundi para rin sa kapwa. Ang namumutawing mensaheng ito sa libro ang magpapakita na mukha ng pang-aapi ay hindi lamang nasa mga dayuhang mananakop kundi pati sa Pilipinong nagdesisyong itaas ang sarili kahit na matabunan ang iba pang tao.
Copyright (c) 2026 Nathanael Navarro (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Danton Remoto’s Text as a Counter-Discourse Against Homophobic Consciousness (Teksto ni Danton Remoto bilang Kontra-Diskurso Laban sa Homopobikong Kamalayan)
Danton Remoto is known as one of the prominent writers who greatly contributed to Philippine gay literature. His texts may be considered as effective instruments for challenging and dismantling repressive homophobic consciousness that has been deeply rooted in our culture and society. Thus, selected texts by Remoto were examined as gay literature and as counter-discourse that presents metanarratives vis-à-vis the condemnation of prevailing homophobic consciousness in the Philippines. Using thematic and close reading approach in 16 selected essays from his three collections – Buhay Bading (2004), Rampa: Mga Sanaysay (2008) and Bright, Catholic, and – Gay (2011), four counter-discursive strategies were identified: 1) Hegemonic Oppressive Homophobic Ideology; 2) Humanization, and Strategy of Subverting Dominant Narratives; 3) Social Function and Competencies of Gays in Various Field; and 4) Reconceptualization of Gay Identity. This essay contributes to the expanding discourse on gay literature within cultural studies, queer studies, and Philippine Studies. Kilala si Danton Remoto bilang isa sa mga tanyag na manunulat na may malaking ambag sa larang ng panitikang bakla sa Pilipinas. Maituturing ang kanyang mga teksto bilang mabisang kasangkapan upang hamunin, baligtarin, at buwagin ang mapanupil na homopobikong kamalayan na malalim nang naka-ugat sa ating kultura at lipunan. Kaya dinalumat ng papel na ito ang mga piling teksto ni Remoto bilang panitikang bakla at anyo ng kontra-diskurso na naglalahad ng mga metanaratibo hinggil sa pagkondena sa umiiral na homopobikong kamalayan sa Pilipinas. Sa tematikong dulog at malapitang pagbasa sa piling 16 teksto mula sa tatlong kalipunan ng sanaysay – Buhay Bading (2004), Rampa: Mga Sanaysay (2008) at Bright, Catholic, and – Gay (2011), nakabuo ng apat na kontra-diskursibong estratehiya ng manunulat: 1) Hegemonya ng Mapanupil na Homopobikong Ideolohiya; 2) Humanisasyon at Estratehiya ng Pagbaligtad sa Dominanteng Naratibo; 3) Panlipunang Gampanin at Kakayahan ng mga Bakla sa Iba’t Ibang Larangan; at 4) Rekonseptwalisasyon sa Identidad ng mga Bakla.
Copyright (c) 2026 Marielle Clave Gidalanga (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
‘Greening’ Comparative Literature: Human and More-than-Human World in Zacharias Papantoniou The High Mountains and Roderick O’Grady’s Bigfoot Mountain
The aim of this article is to explore the symbiotic relationship between human and more-than-human world through a series of descriptions and representations found in the Modern Greek prose titled The High Mountains [Ta Psila Vouna in Modern Greek] of Zacharias Papantoniou, and the Bigfoot Mountain of Roderick O’ Grady, focusing particularly on how humans and nonhumans evolve, live together and communicate. Both authors describe the natural world extensively, focusing on the childish perception and emotions in nature through the beauty and ‘purity’ of mountain life that is full of indigenous practices, myths and legends of the past. Through the ecocritical outlook we address three different but closely connected to each other layers: the perceptual, the psychological and the phenomenological. These three layers lay the ground to approach the natural as a mode for its re-evaluation. Reconnecting with nature involve fostering a closer relationship with the natural world. Papantoniou’s econarratives are exemplary of raising ecological awareness for the protection of nature while O’Grady’s econarratives view nature as kin, helping individuals to understand their place within a larger ecological web. Both authors cultivate a sense of belonging in nature, addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable living.
Copyright (c) 2026 Nikoleta Zampaki (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Rhetorics of Ecocriticality: The Ecocomposition of the Selected Poems of Francis C. Macansantos
Based on Hubert Zapf’s theory of the “Ecological Force” of Literature and Timothy Morton’s theory of “Ambient Poetics”, this study attempts to flesh out tropes of ecocriticism in the selected poems of Francis C. Macansantos from his collection Snail Fever: Poems of Two Decades (2016). From these theories, Macansantos’ selected poems are revealed to deploy the rhetorics of ecocriticality linking literature to a greater web of discourses concerning nature and the environment. In particular, discourses which are grounded in the interactions of the spheres of culture and nature become, in literary studies, the springboard for fleshing out ecocritical ranges and forces. This is further shown by expanding and thematically analyzing Dobrin and Weisser’s concept of ecocomposition or “literature’s constitutive existence.” Capitalizing on ecocomposition the supported by ecomimesis, the study posits that ecocomposition and ecological rhetoric of Macansantos’ selected poems take their cue from his ecocritical-creative stance from which place, situatedness, ambience, nature, and environment become discursive ecocritical categories. The analysis of the selected poems with strong ecological bent reveals a remarkable variety of ecocritical themes: the polarity transpiring between the anthropocentric and ecocentric domains of ecology, the precepts of shallow ecology that support the continuity of the anthropocene’s life through the resources of nature and the environment, the decentering of the anthropocene through the notion of deep ecology, the rhetorics of environmental debasement, and thoughts on sustainability as reflected in literature.
Copyright (c) 2018 Jan Raen Carlo M. Ledesma (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Winnowing: Doing Filipino Philosophy (Pagtatahip: Doing Filipino Philosophy)
This paper explains that the way Filipinos were molded cause paradoxes and ambiguities in the way we philosophize. It is then necessary to do pagtatahip (to winnow, as a way of nuancing) for a Filipino Philosophy. This is evident in the philosophical elucidation in the concept of loob by Fr. Alejo In this kind of nuancing, it is evident that Filipino concepts are not outrightly contradictory and not just deliberate acceptance of contradictories. The concept winnowed allows constructing a liberating Philosophy appropriate for a Filipino Philosophy. Pinapaliwanag sa papel na ito na ang pagkakahubog ng mga Pilipino ang nagdudulot ng kabalintunaan at kalabuan sa ating pamimilosopiya. Kaya naman dapat magtahip para sa isang Pilosopiyang Pilipino. Nakita ito sa pilosopikong pagpapaliwanag sa konsepto ng loob ni Pr. Alejo. Sa pagtatahip, makikitang hindi naman tahasang magkasalungat ang mga konsepto ng mga Pilipino at hindi rin naman pagtanggap lamang ng magkasalungat.
Copyright (c) 2026 Bernard Bragas (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Limit of Labels: Examining the ‘Masc’ and ‘Femme’ Labels in WLW Relationships Through Judith Butler’s Theory of Performativity
Judith Butler’s theory of performativity emphasizes the idea that gender is constructed through a series of repeated acts. Within this framework, labels such as ‘masc’ and ‘femme’ can play a role in shaping gender identity and expression, especially in womenloving- women (WLW) relationships. Even though queerness is famously understood as a space for challenging gender norms, and WLW relationships to that extension should be a site for gender fluidity, the use of these labels in WLW relationships can reinforce patriarchal structures by replicating binary gender expressions. The act of labeling oneself or one’s partner as ‘masc’ or ‘femme’ is evidence of binary gender expression persisting even in queer spaces. More importantly, in the context of WLW relationships, it goes to show that even though labels like ‘masc’ and ‘femme’ can provide a sense of belonging, they can also limit gender expression and replicate gender binaries. Situating within Judith Butler’s theory of performativity, this article analyzes the use of labels such as ‘masc’ and ‘femme’ and doing performative acts of these labels, especially within the WLW relationship dynamics. The article contends that in using labels such as ‘masc’ and femme’ which are fixed categories, we run the risk of becoming complicit in reinforcing patriarchal structures and power structures.
gender, LGBTQ+ labels, queer identities, queer theory, theory of performativity, WLW relationships
Copyright (c) 2026 Nikky Garo (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Comparative Analysis of the Aesthetic Experience Offered by Koreanovelas and Filipinovelas According to Filipino Viewers (Komparatibong Analisis sa Estetikong Danas na Hatid ng Koreanobela at Filipinobela ayon sa mga Pilipinong Manonood)
The paper highlights a thorough discussion of the vast influence and prominence of Korean dramas (Koreanobela) in the Philippines, which has become a central focus among critics in the discourse of film and television. Their rise in popularity has fostered an appreciation for both local and foreign spaces that continue to shape and influence Filipino culture. Although the importation of films from Latin American countries—an influence rooted in Spanish colonization—is not new in the Philippines, the unparalleled appeal of Korean dramas in capturing the attention of Filipino audiences cannot be denied. To identify the reasons behind this fascination, the researcher compared the aesthetic qualities of Koreanobela and Filipinobela. The study aimed to examine their similarities and differences in the context of film using Patrick D. Flores’ six elements of cinema: film, screenplay, cinematography and visual design, editing, sound, and performance. These elements bring beauty, vibrancy, and appeal to the viewers. The study employed the Focus Group Discussion method with six (6) participants who have been long-time viewers and avid fans of Korean dramas for over a decade. Findings revealed the deep-seated reasons for the continuous presence and dominance of Koreanobela in the Philippines, categorized as follows: (1) realistic narrative and setting, (2) artistry in scriptwriting, (3) technical and visual design, (4) engaging cliffhangers, (5) use of original soundtracks (OST), and (6) artistry in characterization. This paper seeks to contribute to the field of film and television by broadening the understanding of viewing as a cultural experience. Tampok sa papel na ito ang masusing pagtalakay sa papalaking espasyo ng Koreanobela sa Pilipinas na siyang tuon ng maraming kritiko sa usapin ng pelikula at/o palabas. Ang kanilang pagsikat sa larangan ng pampanitikang pelikula ay nakalilikha ng panibagong pagpapahalaga sa pagtanaw ng lokal at dayuhang espasyo na kasalukuyang bumabahid sa kultura ng Pilipinas. Bagaman hindi na bago sa Pilipinas ang pag- angkat ng mga pelikula mula sa mga bansang Latino-Amerika na malapit sa mga Pilipino dulot nang matagal na pananakop ng mga Kastila, hindi maitatanggi ang kakaibang lakas ng pagkuha ng Koreanobela sa atensyon ng mga Pilipino. Bilang pagpapatuloy, pinaghambing ng mga mananaliksik ang estetikong taglay ng dalawang teleserye sa bansa, ang Koreanobela at Filipinobela upang malinaw na makita ang pagkakalapit at pagkakalayo ng mga ito sa usaping pelikula. Minabuting gamitin ang salitang Filipinobela upang iakma ito sa Koreanobela. Ang pagsusuri sa estetiko ay nakabatay sa anim na elemento ng sine ni Patrick D. Flores na inilapat sa teleserye; pelikula, dulang pampelikula, sinematograpiya at disenyong biswal, editing, tunog at pagganap. Ang mga elementong ito ang nagbibigay tingkad, ganda, at hikayat sa mga manonood. Ginamit ang metodong Focus Group Discussion sa anim (6) na kalahok na lagpas dekada na ang pagkapanatiko. Natuklasan sa papel ang malalim na dahilan sa pananahan at espasyong Koreanobela sa Pilipinas na naikategorya sa direksyon sa pagkamakatotohanan, sining sa pagkakasulat, kagamitang teknikal at biswal, paghahati ng eksena, musika, at karakterisasyon. Mahalagang makapag-ambag ang papel na ito sa larangan ng pelikula at teleserye.
Koreanobela, Filipinobela, Hallyu, anim na elemento ng pelikula, FGD
Copyright (c) 2026 Christine S. Morit (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
On Teleology and the Rediscovery of Human Attunement with Nature
Copyright (c) 2025 Gerlie Caspe-Ogatis (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Bodies Will Be Bodies?: A Case for Legitimate Body Objectiveness
Confined in spatiotemporal structures and relations, the body is caught in the linearity of economic production and the rigidity of ideological imperatives. In this setup, the objectiveness of the body is suspected of putting a person to a limit. This further interrogates and accuses the body of facilitating its own objectification. Here, I challenged prominent objections to the objectiveness of the body, particularly those coming from Marcel and the early/material feminist traditions. I then put forward a case in which the active-operative instrumentalization of the body is legitimized sans discounting the body as an addendum or mere physical extension. Further, I qualify the ‘use’ of the body as a corporealized medium and embodied instrument that activates a profound encounter and sharing of the world with other bodies.
Copyright (c) 2026 Renz M. Villacampa (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Learning Spaces, Others and Self: The “I—Learning” Experience of Philosophy Students in Achieving Learning Competencies in a Pandemic
Academic programs set learning competencies as essential standards to ensure that students acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and values. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) prescribed the competencies for the AB Philosophy Program through CMO No. 26 s. 2017, which includes the ability to demonstrate critical and logical thinking, construct cogent arguments, engage analytically and interpretively with philosophical texts, develop research and academic writing skills, apply philosophical theories to concrete situations, and critically evaluate the essence of philosophical learning in relation to the True, the Good, and the Just. However, the teaching-learning process was disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic, raising concerns on students’ capacity to achieve the program mandated learning competencies. Given the limited research, there is a need to understand how philosophy students achieve learning competencies during the pandemic. This study used a phenomenological lens to characterize the lived experiences of Bicol University philosophy students (n=13), aged 21-23, on distance learning during the pandemic. Based on their narratives, this study characterized the “I—Learning” experience, which is composed of a triadic theme: a) I—Learning Spaces, b) I—Thou Learning, and c) I—I (self) Learning. This characterization highlights\ the interdependent and relational act of meaning-making of the “I” (philosophy student) to their learning spaces, others (educators, family, peers), and the “self” that explains how they confront their lived realities to thrive during the pandemic. The findings of this study also provide practical insights for developing a learning system that is both responsive and adaptive during periods of disruption, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mark Gatus (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
BOOK REVIEW: Reworlding the Human: A Review of Symbiotic Posthumanist Ecologies in Western Literature, Philosophy and Art
In recent decades, the interdisciplinary encounter between posthumanism and the environmental humanities has engendered rich intellectual terrain for rethinking the status of the human, the function of narrative, and the ethical imperatives of multispecies coexistence. The edited volume Symbiotic Posthumanist Ecologies in Western Literature, Philosophy and Art: Towards Theory and Practice (Peter Lang, 2023), curated by Peggy Karpouzou and Nikoleta Zampaki, contributes significantly to this dialogue. Organized in three thematic sections— “Framing the Symbiotic Posthumanist Ecologies,” “Symbiotic Posthumanist Ecologies in Literature and Art” and “Symbiotic Posthumanist Ecologies in Continental Philosophy”—the book weaves a cohesive tapestry that connects speculative fiction, ecological aesthetics, and continental thought in an effort to imagine symbiosis not only as a metaphor but as a practical and ethical mode of being in the Anthropocene and beyond.
Copyright (c) 2025 ASUNCIÓN LÓPEZ-VARELA AZCÁRATE (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Filipino Language and the Discourse on Gender: The Misgendering of Jude Bacalso as a Reflection of Social Perspective (Wikang Filipino at ang Diskurso ng Kasarian: Ang Misgendering kay Jude Bacalso Bilang Salamin ng Panlipunang Pananaw)
The absence of grammatical gender in Filipino pronouns and some nouns has led some to claim that the Filipino language is gender neutral. However, cases of misgendering are undeniably present in our society. If the Filipino language is truly gender-neutral, how does misgendering occur in our context? This paper discusses the concept of misgendering, examines some of its examples in the Philippine context, and revisits literature on the supposed gender-neutrality of the Filipino language. It then analyzes the case of Jude Bacalso, a transgender woman who became a topic of public discourse on social media in July 2024 due to an issue of misgendering. Using three Facebook posts with the highest number of reactions and shares related to Bacalso’s case, the study conducts a content analysis of the comments and finds that all commenters rejected Bacalso’s identity as a woman. The analysis reveals that biology and religion are the two primary bases used by society to assert that Bacalso is a man. In the comments, the Filipino language is frequently used as a tool for mocking, insulting, and invalidating Bacalso’s gender. The results of this study affirm and strengthen earlier studies that claim only a small part of the Filipino language is truly gender neutral. In the case of Bacalso’s misgendering, it becomes evident that the Filipino language can be used as a tool for gender-based oppression. Therefore, the paper advocates for the expansion of research on transgender people in the Philippines as a gender category and on gender-related issues in language. Ang kawalan ng kasarian ng mga panghalip at ilang mga pangngalan sa wikang Filipino ang nag-udyok sa ilan para sabihing genderneutral ang wikang ito. Gayunman, hindi maitatanggi na may mga kaso ng misgendering sa ating lipunan. Kung tunay ngang genderneutral ang wikang Filipino, paano nagkakaroon ng misgendering sa atin? Sa papel na ito, tinalakay ang konsepto ng misgendering, sinuri ang ilang mga halimbawa nito sa kontekstong Filipino, at binalikan ang mga literatura hinggil sa pagka-gender-neutral ng wikang Filipino. Pagkatapos, sinuri ang kaso ni Jude Bacalso, isang transgender na naging paksa ng usap-usapan sa social media noong Hulyo 2024 dahil sa isyu ng misgendering. Gamit ang tatlong Facebook posts na may pinakamaraming komento, reaksyon, at shares tungkol sa kaso ni Bacalso, inanalisa ang mga komento dito sa pamamagitan ng content analysis at lumabas na halos lahat ng mga nagkomento ay hindi tinatanggap na babae si Bacalso. Ipinakita ng kaso ni Bacalso ang panlipunang pananaw na biyolohiya at relihiyon ang dalawang pangunahing batayan ng mga Filipino sa pagkilala ng kasarian. Lumabas din sa pagsusuri na wikang Filipino ang madalas na ginagamit sa panlalait, pangungutya, at pananakit kaugnay ng kasarian ni Bacalso. Ang resulta ng pag-aaral na ito ay umaayon at nagpapatibay sa mga nauna nang pananaliksik na nagsasabing maliit lamang na bahagi ng wikang Filipino ang maaaring ituring na genderneutral. Sa kaso ng misgendering kay Bacalso, mababanaag na ang wikang Filipino ay nagagamit din bilang kasangkapan sa pang-aapi batay sa kasarian. Dahil dito, isinusulong ang pagpapalawak ng mga pag-aaral sa mga transgender sa Pilipinas bilang kasarian, gayundin sa mga usaping pangkasarian sa wika.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ignatius Vinzons (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Profane Language: On the Philosophy of Cursing in the Contemporary Era
Politeness is a foundational virtue, instilled from an early age, that fosters human connections and societal engagement. This virtue underscores the tremendous relationship between language and courtesy, highlighting the values of respect in interaction within the community fabric. Language's nature, as a reflection of culture, community, and identity, is analyzed, revealing its capacity to uphold or erode these societal pillars. Despite its potential as a pillar of politeness, profane language presents an ironical contradiction. Profane language mo, mostly known as cursing, emerges as a cultural taboo, marked by its aggressive and often deemed inappropriate nature. This paper dives into why certain words are considered profane and immoral and how the essence of language intertwines with the act of Cursing. Through a philosophical lens, this analysis ventures into the contemporary discourse on profanity, seeking to unravel its complexities and broader societal implications.
Copyright (c) 2026 Billy Jan Puerta (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Sun-Tzuian Critique of the Russian Strategy in its War against Ukraine
This study examines the effectiveness of Russian military strategy in the Ukraine war through the lens of Sun-Tzu’s strategic philosophy. Grounded in Sun-Tzu’s principles of warfare, the study evaluates Russian strategy using five key elements: Leader Values, People’s Belief, Mitigation, Environment, and Information. Employing a qualitative methodology, the research analyzes military decisions and tactics based on these strategic dimensions. Findings indicate that while Russia initially relied on deception and overwhelming force, its failure to achieve a swift victory stemmed from flawed planning, underestimated Ukrainian resistance, and logistical challenges. The study highlights the critical role of intelligence, adaptability, and psychological warfare, emphasizing the impact of leadership perception and civilian morale on military success. Furthermore, the research underscores the significance of terrain, information warfare, and adaptive countermeasures in shaping conflict outcomes. The findings suggest that Russia’s strategic misalignment with Sun-Tzu’s principles—particularly regarding prolonged engagement and failure to secure rapid strategic objectives—contributed to its operational setbacks. This study concludes that classical military philosophy remains highly relevant in contemporary warfare, providing insights into strategic decision-making. It recommends that military planners integrate Sun-Tzu’s principles of intelligence, flexibility, and psychological operations to enhance strategic effectiveness in modern conflicts.
Information Warfare, Military Tactics, Russia, Sun-Tzu, Strategy, Ukraine War
Copyright (c) 2026 Eduard Vicuna (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Ang Kasaysayan at Diskurso ng mga Museo sa Center for Kapampangan Studies (The History and Discourse of the Center for Kapampangan Studies’ Museums)
Sa loob ng mahigit dalawang dekada, ang Center for Kapampangan Studies (CKS) ng Holy Angel University (HAU) ay naging pangunahing institusyon sa pananaliksik, pangangalaga, at pagpapalaganap ng kulturang Kapampangan. Isa sa mga pinakamahalagang ambag nito ay ang pagtatatag ng mga museo na nagsisilbing tagapagpatibay at tagapagpaunlad ng pagkakakilanlang Kapampangan. Gayunpaman, hindi pa lubusang natitipon at nasusuri ang kasaysayan ng mga museo ng CKS. Bilang tugon, ang pananaliksik na ito ay naglalayong magsagawa ng unang sistematikong pagsusuri sa kasaysayan ng mga museo ng CKS upang mapalawig ang diskurso sa Araling Kapampangan, Araling Pangmuseo, at pananaliksik sa kultural na identidad. Ginamit ang panayam bilang pangunahing metodolohiya, kung saan ang mga namumuno ng mga museo ang nagsilbing pangunahing kalahok. Pinagtibay din ito ng mga umiiral na dokumento tungkol sa CKS. Ipinakikita ng pag-aaral ang mga diskursibong pundasyon at adhikain ng CKS na nagbigay-gabay sa disenyo, tema, at layunin ng mga museo, pati na rin ang mga hamon at pagbabago sa paglipas ng panahon na nakaapekto sa estruktura, tema, at nilalaman ng mga ito. Sa kabuuan, ang CKS ay nagsisilbing ‘one-stop shop’ para sa kasaysayan, sining, at identidad ng mga Kapampangan at ang mga museo nito ay binubuo ng mga permanente at pansamantalang eksibit. Hindi lamang ito tagapangalaga ng kasaysayan kundi isang dinamikong espasyo na nag-uugnay sa nakaraan, kasalukuyan, at hinaharap. Ipinakikita ng pananaliksik na ang mga museo ng CKS ay patuloy na nagbabago at umaangkop sa nagbabagong panahon habang pinangangalagaan ang kultural na identidad ng mga Kapampangan.
Copyright (c) 2025 Wilma Cruz (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Saysay ng Dogs in Philippine History sa Multidisiplinaryong Pag-aaral ng Kasaysayan at Lipunang Pilipino (The Significance of Dogs in Philippine History in the Multidisciplinary Study of Philippine History and Society)
Umalpas at/o umunlad na ang pag-aaral ng kasaysayan ng Pilipinas—hindi na lamang ito isang kanonikal na pamamaraan na may pagkiling at humahango sa kinagisnang positibismong pananaw. Bagama’t kumakalas na roon ang ilang mananaliksik at historyador, hindi ito nangangahulugan ng pagtalikod sa pinagmulang pananaw, bagkus isa itong kaunlarang historiograpikal na habang isinasaalang-alang pa rin nito ang faktuwal na kaalaman, nilalakipan na ito ng samot-saring multidisiplinaryo at/o interdisiplinaryong pananaw na may pagkiling sa disiplinang kinabibilangan at inaambagan ng kaalaman. Humigit kumulang 700-pahina ang aklat ng historyador na si Ian Christopher Alfonso ng National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP)—ang Dogs in Philippine History (DPH)—na may 28-kabanata—sa aking pagbibilang, habang ginagabayan ng 503-piraso ng plate o larawan, 3 mapa, 5 talahanayan, 920 na talahuli, at 496 na sanggunian—ay hindi lamang isang historikal ngunit tematiko rin ang pagkakasalanlan. Ito ay maari rin gawing balangkas at salalayan ng susunod pang mga pagaaral na nagkakaroon ng interes sa kalikasan at kapaligiran. The study of Philippine history has grown and evolved; it is no longer limited to a rigid, canonical approach shaped by traditional positivist perspectives. While some researchers and historians are moving beyond these conventional frameworks, this does not mean abandoning foundational viewpoints. Rather, it represents a historiographical development: factual knowledge remains important, but it is now enriched by a variety of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives, each influenced by the scholar’s own field and insights. Historian Ian Christopher Alfonso’s Dogs in Philippine History (DPH), published by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), exemplifies this progress. The book spans roughly 700 pages and 28 chapters. In my count, it includes 503 images, 3 maps, 5 tables, 920 endnotes, and 496 references. Beyond being a historical account, the book is also thematically organized, offering a structure that can guide future research, particularly studies interested in nature and the environment.
Copyright (c) 2024 Axle Christien Tugano (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
The Poetry of Rustica C. Carpio: A Mirror of Humanistic Discourse, Truths and Values
This paper is an attempt to analyze 8 poems in Filipino written by a prominent woman of Philippine letters, Rustica C. Carpio. Her disposition as a promising poet had never been the subject of local literary scholarship. As a poet, Carpio can be situated within the tradition of humanist poetry with her poems published in her book “Tilamsik ng Panitik” efficaciously chronicling the complex nature of man. The analysis situated the poems of Carpio within certain prominent traditions in Philippine poetry. In the form and content of her poetry, it is evident that we can see the strong influences of the mimetic, didactic and representational modes, impulses and traditions in Philippine poetry. As mimetic, representational and didactic poems capturing humanist discourses, truths and values, her readers can witness the depth and complexity of how she made sense of the actions and ideologies of man stressing different humanistic truths and values. The poems show how she provided an image of man with the goal of understanding his daily, promising, resilient, infallible realities, his naturalistic capricious disposition, utopic vision, and his morality and sympathy engaged in life’s vicissitudes rendering them as mirrors in understanding humanistic ideas and discourse. Leaning on the humanist discourses of Andrew Copson, Richard Norman and Jeaneane Fowler, the offshoots of these humanistic leanings of the poems also provide potent points for ruminating on the good life, humanistic deeds and wholeness of the human person, the search of true humanistic happiness, and the morality of his interpersonal connections.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jan Raen Carlo M. Ledesma, Ph.D. (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Rosas sa Pampang, Bayan sa Dagat: Eko-salin ng mga Piling Tulang Arkipelahiko ni José Martí mula sa Versos Libres (1913) (Roses on the Shore, Nation at Sea: An Eco-Translation of Selected Archipelagic Poems by José Martí from Versos Libres (1913))
Sinusuri at isinasalin ng papel na ito ang limang tulang arkipelahiko ni José Martí gamit ang mga lapit ng di-tuwirang pagsasalin at eko-pagsasalin. Sa pamamagitan ng mga piling akda mula sa koleksiyong Versos Libres (1913), inilulugar ang panulaan ni Martí sa interkolonyal na ugnayan ng Cuba at Pilipinas, dalawang bansang kapwa dumaan sa magkatulad na karanasang kolonyal at may matibay na tradisyon ng anti-imperyalistang pakikibaka. Bilang makata at rebolusyonaryo, malaki ang naging papel ni Martí sa pagpapalaya ng Cuba mula sa imperyong Espanyol. Napili at isinalin ang kaniyang mga tulang “Midnight” (“Hatinggabi”), “Famous Island” (“Tanyag na Isla”), “Like Palm Trees Born in the Sand” (“Tulad ng mga Palmang Sumibol sa Buhangin”), “I Hate the Sea” (“Namumuhi Ako sa Dagat”), at “Sad Sunday” (“Malungkot na Linggo”). Hindi lamang naglalaman ng mga imaheng pandagat at pangkapuluan ang mga obrang ito kundi nagbubukas din ng alternatibong pag-unawa sa mga ugnayan ng tao, iba pang buhay na nilalang, at daigdig. Pinanatili sa mga saling-tula ang yaman ng tekstura ng wikang Filipino, lalo na ang daloy at pahiwatig ng mga tula. Higit pa rito, sa diwa ng eko-pagsasalin, lumilitaw ang masalimuot na relasyon ng mga persona ng tula sa kanilang ekolohikal at panlipunang kapaligiran, kung saan ang kalikasan ay hindi lamang tagpuan kundi aktibong bahagi ng diskursong antikolonyal. Itinataguyod din ng papel ang potensiyal ng arkipelahikong pagsasalin bilang paglalayag sa gitna ng marami, magkakaiba, ngunit magkakaugnay na mga wika. (This paper examines and translates five archipelagic poems by José Martí using the approaches of indirect translation and eco-translation. Through selected works from the collection Versos Libres (1913), Martí’s poetry is situated within the intercolonial relations between Cuba and the Philippines—two nations that underwent similar colonial experiences and share a strong tradition of anti-imperialist struggle. As a poet and revolutionary, Martí played a crucial role in Cuba’s liberation from the Spanish Empire. The selected and translated poems tulang “Midnight” (“Hatinggabi”), “Famous Island” (“Tanyag na Isla”), “Like Palm Trees Born in the Sand” (“Tulad ng mga Palmang Sumibol sa Buhangin”), “I Hate the Sea” (“Namumuhi Ako sa Dagat”), at “Sad Sunday” (“Malungkot na Linggo”). These works not only contain maritime and archipelagic imagery but also open alternative ways of understanding the relationships between humans, other living beings, and the world. The translated poems preserve the richness of the Filipino language’s texture, particularly the flow and nuances of the poems. Furthermore, in the spirit of eco-translation, the complex relationship between the poems’ personae and their ecological and social environments emerges, where nature is not merely a backdrop but an active participant in the anti-colonial discourse. This paper also advocates for the potential of archipelagic translation as a form of navigation across multiple, diverse, yet interconnected languages.)
literary relations between Cuba and the Philippines
Copyright (c) 2025 Jose Monfred C. Sy (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
A Way through Pandemic: Daoist insights during the COVID-19 Crisis
The COVID-19 crisis has made most Filipinos reconsider, rethink, and reprioritize various aspects of their lives. While they are well-known for their resiliency, they are not immune to experiencing fear, anxiety, uncertainties, and other disruptions, as these are inevitable experiences during crises, particularly pandemics. While the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a public health crisis, there is a fear that it also provoked an existential one. This paper explores the philosophical insights of Daoism and its practicality and relevance to navigating such crises. In what ways can Daoist insights guide us regarding the right way(s) to manage ourselves during the crisis? How can these insights help us reframe our perspective of life during a pandemic? The paper employs reflective analysis to examine the crisis brought on by the pandemic and argues that Daoist insights can offer a practical approach to managing oneself and coping with the pandemic. This paper will highlight two Daoist principles: the principle of wu-wei and the principle of yin-yang. These principles are vital in approaching life with flexibility and balance. Ultimately, this paper shows that adopting Daoist insights will improve our understanding of the crisis brought on by the pandemic and how this could serve as a practical approach to managing our lives effortlessly during this trying time.
Copyright (c) 2025 Marck Zaldy O. Camba (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Placing the Good Life: Towards a Phenomenology of Place
<span class="TextRun SCXW228863073 BCX8" lang="EN-PH" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont', 'Times New Roman_MSFontService', serif;" xml:lang="EN-PH" data-contrast="auto">This paper stresses the <span class="TextRun SCXW228863073 BCX8" lang="EN-PH" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; color: #000000; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont', 'Times New Roman_MSFontService', serif;" xml:lang="EN-PH" data-contrast="auto">place<span class="TextRun SCXW228863073 BCX8" lang="EN-PH" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont', 'Times New Roman_MSFontService', serif;" xml:lang="EN-PH" data-contrast="auto"> of a phenomenology of place in philosophical discussions on the constituents of what various philosophers designate as the <span class="TextRun SCXW228863073 BCX8" lang="EN-PH" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; color: #000000; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont', 'Times New Roman_MSFontService', serif;" xml:lang="EN-PH" data-contrast="auto">good life<span class="TextRun SCXW228863073 BCX8" lang="EN-PH" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont', 'Times New Roman_MSFontService', serif;" xml:lang="EN-PH" data-contrast="auto">. A phenomenological approach to place aids in addressing the taken-for-grantedness of our lifeworld and its implications—including but not limited to—questions on embodiment, freedom, and intersubjectivity. Phenomenology reveals the layers of meaning behind the varying dimensions of human experience that constitute their lived emplacement. In turn, a phenomenology of place examines the onset of a conscious and subjective interpretation of places, and things and concepts surrounding them. Making sense of the importance of place and locality is integral to the meaning-making endeavor that humans bear on their shoulders, even when the inevitable transformation of the world at particular moments in time leads to placelessness. Since phenomenology unfolds the richness of our everyday life, this philosophical reflection contends that <span class="TextRun SCXW228863073 BCX8" lang="EN-PH" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; color: #000000; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont', 'Times New Roman_MSFontService', serif;" xml:lang="EN-PH" data-contrast="auto">placing<span class="TextRun SCXW228863073 BCX8" lang="EN-PH" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont', 'Times New Roman_MSFontService', serif;" xml:lang="EN-PH" data-contrast="auto"> ourselves is crucial to construing a life well-lived that makes human flourishing possible. <span class="EOP SCXW228863073 BCX8" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont', 'Times New Roman_MSFontService', serif;" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559740":480}">
Copyright (c) 2025 Chloe Nicole Piamonte (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
The Fantasies of Filipino Identities: The Ironies of Racial Discourse in the 19th Century Philippines
This paper argues that the genealogical deconstruction of the 19th century idea of “Filipino identity” within the works of notable historical figures such as Luis Rodriguez Varela, Jose Burgos and the Filipino ilustrados, led by Jose Rizal, reveals its ground on the racial discourse of Eurocentric Hispanophilia. Contrary to the assumption that they were fighting for the emancipation of a colonized people against an unjust Spanish colonial regime, their works are more properly contextualized as political attempts to secure their own parochial privileges. “Filipinoness” and its attendant concept of the nation were, ultimately, not aimed at the destruction of Empire, but an ideology that desired its perpetuation. Simply put, Filipino identity construction in the 19th century was another instrument in the arsenal of Western colonial thinking, a mask for a deeply instituted neocolonial complicity.
Copyright (c) 2025 Michael Roland Hernandez (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Peirce’s Ethics: Problematizing the Conduct of Life
Charles Sanders Peirce's ethics is based on his pragmaticist theory of meaning elucidated by his phenomenology and its transcoding into practice. An example of how meaning acquires practical effect is cited from Peirce's lecture on signs and their interpretation. His anti-imperialist stance against U.S. colonization of the Philippines has never been discussed before. This is the first time Peirce's politics is manifested in conjunction with his anti-nominalist explanation of signs and their ethical implications.
Copyright (c) 2018 Epifanio San Juan (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
The pre-colonial Philippines was a vibrant archipelago filled with diverse faiths, ethnicities, and cultures, reflecting a rich blend of indigenous beliefs and practices. When Spanish colonization arrived, it dramatically transformed the religious landscape, introducing Christianity. Yet, remnants of pre-colonial spiritual traditions persisted, often merging with Catholic practices to create a distinct form of faith. This paper aims to explore the Traslación through various scholars. The focal point of this exploration is the Traslación, an annual event held every January 9 at Quiapo Church, which highlights the deep devotion many Filipinos have for the Black Nazarene. By drawing on both Western and Filipino philosophical traditions, this arrives into the sacred aspects of the Traslación, where the divine manifests through communal rituals and passionate involvement. It looks at how participants experience sacred time, moving from mythos (the stories of sacred history) to kairos (opportune sacred moments), creating a place where the eternal and the momentary come together. At its essence, this paper seeks to answer a fundamental question: How do we perceive and engage with the sacred in the context of the Traslación and Filipino folk Christianity? By placing this popular devotion in the broader fabric of Filipino spirituality, the study hopes to shed light on the ongoing interaction between indigenous roots and colonial impact, illustrating how Filipinos continue to shape their identity through dynamic and sacred practices. In the end, the dialectical link between the hierophanic nature of the Traslación and Filipino bayanihan shall be explored and later on, reveals a more serious societal issue.
Copyright (c) 2025 Johanne Randolf Andrada, Dominic Bautista Gonzales (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Isang Mungkahing Tipolohiya ng Teolohiyang Pilipino (A Proposed Typology of Filipino Theology)
Lagpas limang dekana nang umiiral ang Teolohiyang Pilipino bilang isang kilusang Pilipinisasyon, mula sa pag-usbong ng mga akdang teolohikal noong 1970s na malay na naghahanap ng pagka-Pilipino ng teolohiya bilang isang larangan. Sa kabila nito, wala pa ring umiiral sa kasalukuyan na isang tipolohiya na nagtatangkang mag-uri-uri at magsistematisa ng mga umiiral na literatura sa larangan. Layunin ng kasalukuyang pag-aaral na maglatag ng isang mungkahing tipolohiya para punan ang naturang puwang. Tungo rito, gagamitin bilang modelo ang tipolohiya ni F.P.A. Demeterio sa Pilosopiyang Pilipino, gayundin ang istruktura ng mga sublarangan ng Bagong Kasaysayan na nilikha ni Atoy Navarro. Gamit ang dalawang ito, bumuo ang may-akda ng isang tipolohiyang kinapapalooban ng apat na pangunahing erya: 1. Tipolohiya batay sa Wika (na humugot ng inspirasyon mula sa iskemang pangkami, pangkayo, pansila, at pantayo ni Zeus Salazar), 2. Tipolohiya batay sa Metodo (halaw sa pag-iiba ni Jose de Mesa sa panlipunan at pangkalinangang dulog sa teolohiya), 3. Tipolohiya batay sa Espasyong Heograpikal (alinsunod sa paghahati ni Salazar sa apat na larangan ng pilosopiya ng kasaysayan), at 4. Tipolohiya batay sa Eksposisyon (halaw sa sariling binubuong proyekto ng may-akda na Araling Kapantasan).
Copyright (c) 2025 Mark Joseph Santos (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Pagtataguyod ng Lokal na Industriya sa Diwa ng Kooperatibismo: Pakikipanayam sa mga Haligi ng Bagong Barrio Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Pandi, Bulacan (Promoting Local Industry in the Spirit of Cooperativism: An Interview with the Pillars of Bagong Barrio Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Pandi, Bulacan)
Ang “One Town, One Product” (OTOP) ay isang programa ng Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) na naglalayong tumukoy ng lokal na produktong maipagmamalaki ng bawat bayan sa Pilipinas na nakaugat sa kultura, mapagkukunan, at pagkamalikhain ng komunidad na pinagmulan nito. Sa bayan ng Pandi, Bulacan, hinirang na OTOP ang espesyalisadong kasuotan na gown at barong na itinaguyod sa pangunguna ng Bagong Barrio Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BBMPC). Sa pangkalahatan, nilalayon ng pag-aaral na ito na siyasatin kung paano naging instrumental ang diwa ng kooperatibismo ng BBMPC sa pagtataguyod ng isang lokal na industriya ng pananahi mula sa lente ng pansamahang puhunang panlipunan na nakaangkla sa ideya ng makataong pamamahala. Upang maisakatuparan ito, kinapanayam ng mga mananaliksik ang tatlong pangunahing tagapamahalang haligi ng kooperatiba na nagsilbing mga susing impormante. Nahahati ang diskusyon ng papel sa dalawang sustantibong seksiyon: 1) maikling kasaysayang institusyonal ng BBMPC at 2) ang mga dimensiyon ng puhunang panlipunan ng BBMPC (i.e., tiwala, network, at mga tuntunin at kaugalian). Sa dulo, ipinakita ng pag-aaral na ang kasiglahan ng Disenyo Pandi Wedding Depot na pinamamahalaan ng BBMPC ay isang konkretong katibayan ng pagtataguyod ng isang lokal na industriya ng pananahi sa Pandi, Bulacan. Nakaaambag din ito sa konserbasyon ng isang kultural na pamana, ang mga tradisyonal na kasuotang Pilipino, at sa lokal na turismo ng bayan ng Pandi. Ngunit hindi magiging posible ang patuloy na pag-unlad nito kung wala ang diwa ng kooperatibismo—ang pagtutulungan at pagdadamayan ng mga tagapamahala, kawani, at miyembro ng BBMPC.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jay Israel De Leon, Jennifer Delfin, Charity Joy Hashim (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
A Gewirthian Analysis of the Rights of the LGBTQ+ in the Philippines
Politics is essential in ensuring the state’s security to uphold the common interest and the rights of the people. This paper examines the current political climate amid the political conflicts that affect the LGBTQ+ community in the Philippines due to the disproportion among the interests and beliefs of the state and the people. As such, Gewirth propounded the Principle of Generic Consistency, which focused on the imposition of duties on individual agents to do an action out of respect for one’s human rights. However, several thinkers contradicted the claim of Gewirth regarding the moral action of an individual, but I will expand on the analysis of Gewirth as to how any action of an individual does not limit the freedom of another and is a just metric. Meanwhile, an individual’s oppressive tendencies and unjust actions toward the LGBTQ+ community damage and hinder the progress toward social recognition of such rights. This is why I aim to utilize Gewirth’s analysis to show the possibilities for social justice and actualize a just society that respects and protects the human rights of a minority group in the Philippines.
Copyright (c) 2025 Yrein A. Canzon (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Indifference to Difference or in Deference to Difference: A Treatise of Inclusion
This paper is a critical investigation of the concept of inclusion. It argues that the alternatives or disjuncts in the strict or exclusive disjunction are mutually exclusive: either we exclude, or we include – no middle ground. The choice to either totally exclude or totally include is a political exercise of freedom of being indifferent to differences or being deferent to differences respectively. In this context, inclusion is viewed as a critical attitude towards pluralism that accepts, but not without deep examination, the breaches of totality and the advances of the radical alterity. The paper begins with [1] a careful examination of the politics of exclusion that exposes and discusses exclusive tendencies of some laws, systems, policies, views, traditions, cultures, and practices. The succeeding parts deal heavily with [2] the navigation of inclusive spaces as a response to conditional or quasi-inclusive spaces, [3] moral justifications of inclusion using Immanuel Kant and John Rawls’ ethical frameworks, and [4] a thoughtful exploration of the role of language in the inclusion of the alterity in a pluralistic age in the lenses of Emmanuel Levinas and Paulo Freire. The paper ends with [5] an articulation of the logic of exclusion-inclusion towards the dialectics of inclusion as a necessarily transforming or transformative process - the means and the end. Save a few, most of the concrete historical examples that are [re]presented in the discussions are admittedly landmark Philippine jurisprudence. Even the laws that are [re]cited never escaped the Philippine context.
Copyright (c) 2025 Noel S. Pariñas (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/by/4.0/