CURRENT ISSUE :
Vol. LX - Issue No. 181 : January-April 2025
https://doi.org/10.55997/1000pslx181
Introduction
- DOI :
- https://doi.org/10.55997/1000apslx181intr
- Author/s :
- Joel C. Sagut
Abstract :
Keywords :
The University of Santo Tomas and the Emergence of Thomism in the Far East
- DOI :
- https://doi.org/10.55997/1001pslx181a1
- Author/s :
- Felix F. delos Reyes Jr., OP
Abstract :
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila, founded in 1611, is the oldest existing university in the Philippines and Asia and has long been a bulwark of Catholic education. Over its four centuries of existence, UST has upheld the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas as a cornerstone of its academic and spiritual mission. However, the reception and influence of Thomism at UST and its contributions to the broader Thomistic tradition remain underexplored. This study examines UST’s pivotal role in the emergence of Thomism in the Far East, positioning the university as a key force in shaping Thomistic thought outside of Europe. The article focuses on the university’s first century, from its founding through the 1700s, to understand how Thomism took root in the region. This study seeks to confirm and elaborate on its central contribution to the spread of Thomistic thought in the New World and the Far East.
Keywords : Thomism, History of Thomism, University of Santo Tomas, Escuela de Salamanca, missionary formation, moral theology, evangelization
Resistencia al Poder: Zeferino González on Aquinas’s View on Insurgence
- DOI :
- https://doi.org/10.55997/1002pslx181a2
- Author/s :
- Levine Andro H. Lao
Abstract :
This paper discusses Zeferino González’s commentary on whether Thomistic teachings support insurgence. In particular, the study revisits one chapter of the Estudios sobre la filosofía de Santo Tomás (1864). Here, González critiques a court official of Castille, Francisco Gutiérrez de la Huerta, who, in his Dictamen del Fiscal (1845), attributes the doctrine of regicide and tyrannicide to St. Thomas Aquinas. Suspecting this ascription to Aquinas and the Dominicans as “bad faith,” González goes back to Huerta’s cited passages from Aquinas’s “De regno” in the work De Regimine Principum, the Summa Theologiae, and the Commentary on the Sentences of Peter Lombard. Furthermore, the discussion is given context by citing relevant discourses in the University of Santo Tomas and the Philippines during the time the Estudios was published, such as the discussion in the 1864 article “A la Nacion,” which has since been attributed to González’s student, Fr. Jose Burgos.
Keywords : Zeferino González, Thomas Aquinas, Insurgence, Resistance to power, Tyranny, Jose Burgos
Fr. Francisco Marin Sola, OP: On Divine Causality and Human Free Choice
- DOI :
- https://doi.org/10.55997/1003pslx181a3
- Author/s :
- Allan A. Basas
Abstract :
Francisco Marin Sola is hailed as one of the greatest and most preeminent minds the Order of Preachers had to offer. His contribution to theology is profoundly felt in the celebrated theological debates between the Dominicans and the Jesuits mediated by the so-called 16th-century Congregatio de Auxiliis. These great debates were attempts to respond to the understanding (or misunderstanding) of questions regarding human beings’ exercise of their freedom while enjoying God’s grace. The Dominicans affirm God's overarching causality and
providence, emphasizing God's necessary role in salvation. Thus, characterized as theocentric rather than anthropocentric, the Dominicans believe there is no inherent conflict between divine sovereignty and human freedom. Instead, they maintain that understanding human freedom requires grounding in fundamental principles concerning God's essence and actions. Their adherence to these principles shapes and delineates their interpretation of human freedom. For his part, Fr. Marin contributed to this theological debate by giving his “fresh takes” on the subjects of premotion, grace, sin, predestination, and reprobation encapsulated in his so-called “Ten Propositions.” Fr. Marin lays down the basic Thomistic presupposition that Divine Causality is infallible concerning motion general governance. In the classic Thomistic sense, God is the unmistakable Unmoved Mover, the Necessary Being who efficaciously sets all motions that lead to the execution and realization of the universal end. Thus, infallibility is a true mark of divine causality since God, being the Prime Mover, according to Saint Thomas, is the only being capable of reducing potency to actuality.
Keywords : Congregatio de Auxiliis, Divine Causality, Freedom, Grace, Predestination, Sin
Fr. Angel de Blas, OP on Human Affectivity: An Exposition on Fr. Angel de Blas’ Naturaleza de la Afectividad
- DOI :
- https://doi.org/10.55997/1004pslx181a4
- Author/s :
- Joel C. Sagut
Abstract :
The paper contributes to the assertion that the University of Santo Tomas in Manila has historically been active and involved in continuing the tradition of Thomism, particularly in the Philippines. The paper is part of a project that presents the Thomist scholars of the University in the 19th and 20th centuries. It talks about the contributions of Fr. Angel de Blas, OP, who left some writings that merit academic explorations. His main
works were in the areas of Logic and Psychology (particularly experimental psychology, which Fr. de Blas explicitly distinguished from philosophical psychology). The present discussion will revolve around this second major interest of Fr. de Blas, and will venture to talk about his contribution to the then and now debates about the relevance and importance of understanding human affectivity.
Keywords : Human Affectivity, Emotions, Human Freedom, Thomism, University of Santo Tomas
Thomas Aquinas and the Post-Truth Condition: Some Pointers on The Angelic Doctor’s Relevance Today
- DOI :
- https://doi.org/10.55997/1005pslx181a5
- Author/s :
- Jannel N. Abogado, OP
Abstract :
How should we confront the postmodern and post-truth culture? A critic of this era presents two criteria for addressing postmodernity and post-truth. First, he suggests that one should embrace tolerance toward differing opinions without necessarily compromising one’s deeply held beliefs. Second, he argues that individuals ought to be innovative in defending their convictions in a way that actively involves others in understanding their
significance. This article demonstrates that the study of Thomas Aquinas meets these two criteria. Thus, it asserts that the study and example of Thomas Aquinas, contrary to some viewpoints, remain relevant and can engage with the postmodern and post-truth mentality.
Keywords : Thomas Aquinas, postmodern, post-truth, diversity, reality, truth, meaning
Tagpûan, Tapatan, Talaban: Si Santo Tomas de Aquino, Dayalogo at ang Kontemporanyong Paghahanap sa Katotohanan
- DOI :
- https://doi.org/10.55997/1006pslx181a6
- Author/s :
- Jovito V. Cariño
Abstract :
Matapos ideklara ni Nietzsche ang pagpanaw ng Diyos, at ni Heidegger ang wakas ng metapisika, naging tila mas mahirap ang paghahanap sa katotohanan. Sa halip na tukuyin ang totoo, nagkasya na lámang ang marami sa pagtataguyod ng iba’t ibang bersyon nito ayon sa kani-kaniyang perspektibo. Higit daw mas mahalaga kaysa sa totoo ang kung ano ito sa tingin nila. Kalakip ng kondisyong ito ang pagsasantabi ng nakagawîang kahulugan ng katwiran at pamimilosopiya. Dahil dito, tila nawalan ng saysay ang paghahanap sa totoo. Kung pwede na ang mga kunwarì at mga sa-palagay-ko, aanhin pa ang totoo? Naging mas kumplikado pa nang pumasok ang kulturang digital, lalò na nang lumaganap ang social media. Kung dati’y pinagdududahan ang katotohanan, sa mundong pinapagana ng algoritmo ng internet, naging totoo naman ang lahat ng bagay. Ang ontolohiya ng reyalismo na tinalikuran ni Nietzsche at Heidegger ay nabuhay na mag-ulî sa pamamagitan ng teknolohiya. Hindî lumikhâ ng
bagong ontolohiya ang teknolohiya; ang teknolohiya mismo ang naging bagong ontolohiya dahil ito ang naging bagong batayan ng katotohanan. Tinitingnan ngayon na totoo anomang bagay na nakikita, napapanood, napakikinggan at naikakalat sa social media. Mulâ sa “walâng totoo,” napunta tayo ngayon sa isang panig kung saan “lahat ay totoo.” Saan at paano ngayon hahanapin ang katotohanan? Ito ang problematikong tatalakayin at tutugunan sa papel na ito. Bílang argumento, ipapanukalà ko na sa kabilâ ng kaniyang pagiging mailap, posible pa ring matagpuan ang katotohanan sa pamamagitan ng tagpûan, tapatan at talaban – mga intelektuwal na praktikang isinabuhay at kinatawan ni Santo Tomas. Malayò man si Santo Tomas sa kuntesktong moderno at post-moderno, pati na rin sa dominyo ng digital na teknolohiya, pinapatunayan naman ng mga praktikang nabanggit na ang paghahanap sa katotohanan ay maisasakatuparan saanman o anomang panahon. Higit sa lahat, sinomang
naghahangad ng isang matibay na pundasyon para sa isang makatwiran, makatarungan at makataong sibilisasyon ay marapat lámang na manindigan para sa katotohanan.
Keywords : Santo Tomas de Aquino, katotohanan, moderno, post-moderno, teknolohiya
What is a Thomist? (translation) (PHILIPPINIANA RECORDS)
- DOI :
- https://doi.org/10.55997/1007pslx181pr1
- Author/s :
- Santiago Ramírez, OP Felix F. delos Reyes Jr., OP (translator)
Abstract :
Keywords :
A Visual Documentation of Fil-Hispanic Churches Part XXVI: The Church of San José de Malaquing Tubig, Batangas (1767-1898) (PHILIPPINIANA RECORDS)
- DOI :
- https://doi.org/10.55997/1008pslx181pr2
- Author/s :
- Regalado Trota Jose
Abstract :
This article narrates the construction history of the church in the parish of San Jose, in the province of Batangas, from the time the parish was created in 1767 up to the end of the Spanish period. Throughout the Spanish period, the Augustinians ministered to the parish, and built and decorated the church, as well as the convento. The church compound is one of the most artistic and well-preserved in the country.
Keywords : Batangas, Bauan, Fil-Hispanic churches, Macolot, Manuel Blanco, San Jose de Malaquing Tubig
Fr. Brugués’ General Description of the Cagayan Valley (1897) -1st part (PHILIPPINIANA RECORDS)
- DOI :
- https://doi.org/10.55997/1009pslx181pr3
- Author/s :
- Jorge Romero Mojarro
Abstract :
Keywords :
Co, Alfredo P. ed. Doing Philosophy in the Philippines: The Thomasian Collection Vol. 3. Manila: University of Santo Tomas Publishing House, 2023. pp. 304. ISBN 978-971- 506-922-9. (REVIEWS & NOTICES)
- DOI :
- https://doi.org/10.55997/1010pslx181br1
- Author/s :
- Eugene Dominic V. Aboy, OP
Abstract :
Keywords :
Mojares, Resil B. The Feast of the Sto. Niño: An Introduction to the History of a Cebuano Devotion. Cebu City: University of San Carlos Press, 2017. pp 136. ISBN: 978-971- 539-107-9. (REVIEWS & NOTICES)
- DOI :
- https://doi.org/10.55997/1011pslx181br2
- Author/s :
- Dennis C. Amarante, OP
Abstract :
Keywords :
Joseph Ratzinger in Dialogue with Philosophical Traditions from Plato to Vattimo. Edited by Alejandro Sada, Tracey Rowland and Rudy Albino de Assunção. London: T and T Clark, 2024. pp. 410. ISBN: 978-0-5677-0685-0. (REVIEWS & NOTICES)
- DOI :
- https://doi.org/10.55997/1012pslx181br3
- Author/s :
- Jose Adriand Emmanuel L. Layug
Abstract :
Keywords :
McEvoy, James. Love and Friendship in the Western Tradition: From Plato to Postmodernity. The Catholic University of America Press, 2023. pp. 409. ISBN: 978- 0-8132-3669-8. (REVIEWS & NOTICES)
- DOI :
- https://doi.org/10.55997/1013pslx181br4
- Author/s :
- Blaise D. Ringor
Abstract :
Keywords :
Edelheit, Joseph, James Moore, and Mark Wallace, eds. Refiguring the Sacred: Conversations with Paul Ricoeur. London: Lexington Books, 2024. pp. 232. ISBN: 9781666919097. (REVIEWS & NOTICES)
- DOI :
- https://doi.org/10.55997/1014pslx181br5
- Author/s :
- Dan Joseph DC. Guillermo
Abstract :
Keywords :
Editor's Note

Jesus M. Miranda, Jr., OP
Once again, Philippiniana Sacra welcomes you to its open-access website. Its aim to facilitate the fluid curation and circulation of knowledge on ecclesiastical disciplines continues.
Looking forward to the next three years, the journal is glad to announce the Jubilees of St. Thomas Aquinas: the 700th year of his canonization is celebrated this year; the 750th anniversary of his Dies Natalis (death) in 2024, and the 8th centenary of his birth in 2025.
While the journal continues to publish the most relevant research articles in the areas of Ecclesiastical Sciences and Church history, research articles on Thomistic studies are most welcome for submission within these three years to highlight the festivities of the Angelic Doctor.
We also invite you to check the latest academic lectures, fora, seminars, and conferences announced in the Reviews and Notices section of the journal.
May we be reminded of the words of Thomas Aquinas, “The study of truth requires a considerable effort - which is why few are willing to undertake it out of love of knowledge - despite the fact that God has implanted a natural appetite for such knowledge in the minds of men” (Summa Contra Gentiles).
May the love for knowledge be our common inspiration as we pursue our passion for lifelong learning.
Philippiniana Sacra wishes you to have an enjoyable academic journey ahead.
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