14/08/2026
ICYMI | D’Way: Thomistic Scientia Divina and Hindu Dharma; SPSF and CAS-SBU Sign MOA
SILANG, CAVITE — Saint Paul Seminary Foundation (SPSF) and the College of Arts and Sciences of San Beda University (CAS-SBU) formalized their academic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) during D’Way: Discernment and Dharma, an academic dialogue on Medieval Thomistic Thought and Hindu Dharma held on August 12, 2026, at the Tanghalang Timoteo Giaccardo.
The academic dialogue began with an opening prayer, the Philippine National Anthem, and the acknowledgment of guests and participants, followed by the opening remarks of Rev. Fr. Norman Melchor Peña Jr., SSP, PhD, Rector and Dean of Studies of SPSF.
The program proper followed with a lecture by Dr. Moses Aaron T. Angeles, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences of San Beda University, entitled “The Question of God and the Language of Being in the Scientia Divina of St. Thomas Aquinas.”
Angeles began by revisiting the meaning of philosophy, contrasting the Greek understanding of philosophy as the “love of wisdom” with the Sanskrit concept of darshana, which he explained as seeing and understanding. He then proceeded to discuss the question of truth and its implications for philosophical inquiry before turning to the central place of God in the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas.
The lecture focused on Aquinas’ understanding of God, including the relationship between faith and reason, the Five Ways, apophatic theology, and God as ipsum esse subsistens. Angeles emphasized that Aquinas’ inquiry does not simply attempt to construct a concept of God according to human understanding, but seeks to approach divine reality while recognizing the limitations of human knowledge.
Following the lecture, the Class of Philosophy 6 gave a presentation, followed by the reactor’s response. A round-table discussion then brought together Angeles, Dr. James Loreto C. Piscos as facilitator, and Fr. Peña, providing an opportunity for further discussion of the themes presented during the lecture.
The program continued with a presentation by Sem. Jairus Gregorio before moving to the signing of the MOA between CAS-SBU and SPSF.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Angeles for San Beda University and Fr. Peña for Saint Paul Seminary Foundation. Dr. Piscos, Full Professor VI of the Department of Social Sciences of San Beda University, and a representative of SPSF signed as witnesses.
Under the agreement, the two institutions will strengthen their academic cooperation through faculty exchange, scholarly collaboration, and future academic initiatives. The agreement specifically provides for Dr. Piscos to render teaching services at SPSF, sharing his expertise in History, Anthropology, and related disciplines.
The MOA also encourages collaborative research, academic conferences, seminars, faculty development activities, and joint scholarly publications in areas of mutual interest. Additional academic, research, extension, and formation projects may likewise be undertaken through mutual agreement.
The signing was followed by the giving of tokens to the participants and speakers. Dr. Piscos delivered the closing remarks, and the activity concluded with a closing prayer.
Through the MOA, the D’Way academic dialogue extended beyond a single scholarly gathering, establishing a formal framework for continued academic exchange between Saint Paul Seminary Foundation and the College of Arts and Sciences of San Beda University.
