On 22 June 2026, the Department of Philosophy of Saint Louis University’s (SLU) School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA), in partnership with the Philosophical Association of Northern Luzon (PANL) and the New Louisian Philosophical Society (NEOLOUPHIS), held the second installment of Philos X Coffee at Third Space by B1C, The Brent Guest House. The event brought together faculty, students, graduates, and distinguished guests for an evening of philosophical exchange and reflection.
The program opened with Ms. Sai Bautista, venue owner, Philosophy graduate, and collaborator of NEOLOUPHIS, who warmly welcomed participants to the discourse. In her remarks, she recalled her enduring admiration for the philosophies of Jürgen Habermas and Jean Baudrillard, situating the evening’s discussions within a broader intellectual tradition.
Following this, the Head of the Department of Philosophy, Prof. Raul Leandro R. Villanueva, delivered the formal opening remarks, affirming the department’s and NEOLOUPHIS’s shared commitment to fostering vibrant philosophical dialogue both within and beyond the university.
The discourse was further enriched by the presence of Fr. Shierwin Cabunilas, Dean of Studies at San Pablo Seminary, and seminarians from the same institution, whose participation underscored the collaborative spirit of the gathering.
Dr. Danilo S. Alterado, Dean of the Panpacific Graduate School, delivered “Self-Reflection, Communicative Action, Education and the Democratization Project: A Tribute to Jürgen Habermas”, highlighting the relevance of Habermas’ thought to education and democratic engagement.
Sir King Heartlee J. Villareal and Sean Benedict C. Villamor presented “The Hyperreal Closet: Identity Formation and Commodification in the Philippine Alter X Spaces”, a critical exploration of identity construction and commodification within digital queer spaces.
The talks sparked lively exchanges among students, graduates, faculty, and guests. Ideas flowed freely, bringing the philosophical discourse to life in the corner and embodying the essence of collaborative inquiry.
The evening concluded with the awarding of certificates to the speakers.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Godofredo Priscilo G. Nebrija emphasized the enduring value of philosophical dialogue in shaping critical consciousness and democratic participation. He noted how the evening’s discussions exemplified philosophy’s role in bridging theory and practice, and expressed gratitude to the Department of Philosophy, NEOLOUPHIS, and the wider academic community for sustaining spaces where ideas flourish.
This event resonates with SDG 4 (Quality Education) by promoting inclusive, critical, and transformative learning experiences, and with SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by foregrounding discourses on identity, representation, and social justice within philosophical inquiry.
Through Philos X Coffee 2.0, the Department of Philosophy and NEOLOUPHIS reaffirmed their mission to cultivate spaces where philosophical reflection thrives, bridging academic rigor with social relevance. (Article by Paul Jyrus Depay Awisan | Photos by NEOLOUPHIS)
