Valuing SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), graduate students from the School of Advanced Studies (SAS) convened on 16 May 2026 at the American Corner Library for the Graduate Program Research Presentation Mock Colloquium.
This event, centered on a Feminist Philosophical Text, served not merely as practice but as the culminating activity for the course. Designed to simulate a professional scholarly colloquium, it provided students with an avenue to rehearse the demands of academic defenses and conference presentations. Through this exercise, participants demonstrated their ability to integrate rigorous philosophical inquiry with effective scholarly communication, embodying the program’s mission to prepare graduate students for meaningful contributions to both academic and social discourse.
Among the presenters were:
Timothy Jhan Perez & King Heartlee Villareal
- Discursive Constructions of Filipino Men as House Husbands Within Plumwood’s Critique of Rationality
Mhelanio Harvin Aguibitin & Caesar Jospeh Laruan Santos
- Eating the Other: The Paradox of Queer Visibility and Political Erasure in Philippine Cinema and Television
For the New Louisian Philosophical Society’s (NEOLOUPHIS) “The QUEER (Quality, Undergraduate, Engaged, Exploratory Research) Project,” collaborating with SAS was more than an academic partnership; it was a vital bridge that strengthened the shared goal of cultivating rigorous, deeply reflective research that challenges norms, amplifies marginalized narratives, and fosters genuine intellectual growth within the community. This journey taught the researchers persistence and further refined their academic writing skills.
The MA Philosophy Program of SAS underscores its vital role in shaping the culminating requirement of the Feminist Philosophical Text course. The program provides not only academic enrichment but also transformative training that equips learners with practical skills and intellectual discipline. Its holistic approach ensures that students are prepared to present their research with rigor and confidence in the Graduate Program Research Presentation Mocked Colloquium.
Within the program, students are trained to develop their abilities in writing research papers, mastering both the technical aspects of academic writing and the critical process of selecting and applying appropriate methodologies. This foundation directly supports their capacity to articulate complex philosophical arguments during colloquium presentations. Beyond the classroom, the program emphasizes active participation in scholarly communities through paper presentations at local and international conferences. These experiences cultivate confidence, sharpen communication skills, and foster the ability to engage with diverse audiences. The ultimate goal is research publication, which solidifies their contribution to the global body of knowledge and ensures their work reaches wider academic and social platforms. The training students undergo is a concrete manifestation of transforming theory into practice — making philosophy tangible, actionable, and relevant in addressing contemporary issues.
By bridging abstract concepts with lived realities, the program empowers students to challenge prevailing norms, propose innovative solutions, and cultivate intellectual leadership. In this way, the MA Philosophy Program nurtures scholars and produces thinkers capable of shaping discourse and driving meaningful change in society. The colloquium thus stands as both a culmination of their academic journey and a testament to the program’s mission of integrating philosophical inquiry with real-world impact. (Article: Geryl John S. Gallardo | Photos: Mhelanio Harvin Aguibitin and King Heartlee J. Villareal)
