Theology is 'guardian' of thought: UST co-hosts World Congress in Philosophy

MANY a time has there been a debate on the relation of philosophy and theology, but only now has the concept “guardian of philosophy” arose, as one of the world’s best-known living French thinkers proposed it in the third World Congress on Philosophy held last Sept. 11 to 13.

“We can discuss if philosophy has ever played the role of a servant of theology, but it does not seem absurd to suggest that theology plays the role of the ‘guardian’ of philosophy in order that philosophy may remain at the peak of its destiny (which is toward truth),” Jean-Luc Marion, one of the leading Catholic thinkers of the modern times, said as he closed in his inaugural lecture, “On the Foundation of the Distinction Between Theology and Philosophy,” for the Conférence Mondiale des Institutions Universitaires Catholiques de Philosophie (COMIUCAP) at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Writing in other professions

Can the tedious task of creative writing squeeze through the hectic schedules of professionals?

Despite the demands of their respective careers, multi-awarded contemporary literary personalities Victor Emmanuel Carmelo “Vim” Nadera, Jr. and Jim Libiran still allot some of their time for writing, being convinced that it is very useful in their professions.

Dominicans invest in mutual fund

The Dominicans and other religious congregations have pooled together their financial resources to form a mutual fund that will ensure a steady flow of income to support religious projects and apostolates.

“Owned by the Religious for the Religious,” the Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. is being managed by private sector professionals and is open to all religious institutions and schools.

Vatican confirms De la Rosa: UST’s 95th rector to be installed June 10

Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P. will officially become the Quadricentennial Rector of UST after the Vatican formally confirmed his election as rector of UST for an unprecedented third term. Previously he was rector for two consecutive terms, 1991-1994 and 1995-1998.

Half a year after being elected by fellow Dominicans and UST deans, De la Rosa finally got the blessing from Rome to serve for at least four more years as rector.

Pedregosa named top RP Dominican

The Dominicans, after plunging into a bitter dispute over how to redevelop the University hospital, is now seeking “closure” to the controversy that led to a leadership shakeup in both UST and the Philippine Dominican Province last year.

In an indication of an emerging consensus on how to proceed with the UST Hospital expansion plan, which was halted last year to make way for a thorough review, Filipino Dominicans elected Fr. Quirico Pedregosa, O.P. as prior provincial in their quadrennial provincial chapter in Bicol last month.

Unorthodox cures in the Philippines: Miracle or sham?

So young yet so forlorn. Antonnette Llanera from Bicol saw her days becoming dimmer and dimmer because of a serious ailment.

Llanera was diagnosed with myopathy, a degenerative disease of the muscle cells, which caused her left leg to shrink and her life to wane. At that point, the girl needed a miracle.

But miracles do happen. Llanera’s doctors found out that the strength of both her legs was not affected. More important, the illness would not cost her her life.

Bishop hits QC contraception law

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Cubao has denounced the Reproductive Health Ordinance of Quezon City and urged all Catholics to oppose it.

“As your shepherd, I admonish you to defend the sanctity of human life and family that is now in tremendous danger,” Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco said in a pastoral letter that was read in churches in the diocese last February 11. “They (City Hall) use the issue of poverty to push their deadly intent of promoting contraceptives and abortifacients.”

Aquinas-speak in UST

Which traits of St. Thomas Aquinas should professors emulate?

“Patience. Our class is not cooperative. We always test the patience of our professors especially in Accounting.”
–Ma. Katrina Noble, 3rd Year, College of Commerce

“Compassion, committment, and competence.”
–Ana Carmela Mabaquiao, 2nd Year, Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management

“I want them to emulate his never-ending search for knowledge.”
–Renato Filemon Garcia, 3rd Year, Faculty of Engineering

Thomas Aquinas thrives in UST

UST patron St. Thomas Aquinas plays the major role in the University’s aim to be the Center of Contextualized Theology in Asia.

According to Joel Sagut, assistant to the director of the John Paul II (JPII) Center for Ecclesiastical Sciences, Aquinas is an authority in religious studies even in “local theology,” which deals with how God is seen in Filipino culture.

In the beginning… (The First Batch of the Varsitarian)

BEFORE “80,” there were 22.

They were the students whose deep passion for the written word gave birth to the Varsitarian. Led by Jose Villa Panganiban, they wanted simply to have a “paper to write on.” But what was released on Jan. 16, 1928 was to become an institution in the history of campus journalism in the Philippines.