28/08/2026
TRIVIA| In the 1980s to 1990s down to the 2000s, the Philosophy Department offered three (3) service courses: Philo 1 (Intro to Philo later known as Intro to Issues and Isms), Philo 2 (Logic, later Critical Thinking and Argumentation in Contemporary Society), and Philo 4 (Ethics, currently GEC 107). Except for Philo 1 and 3 which were designed for several colleges such as CNSM, CED, and CSSH for Philo 1, while CHS with the Philosophy majors for Philo 3; Philo 2: the logic course, perceived a “waterloo” by some students, was a mandatory subject
The ever-changing curricula in the Filipino academic landscape, with an attempt to erase Ethics in the tertiary, missed the vital point that philosophy and the rest of the humanities courses have the moral command to ensure the proper total development of learners (the philosophy of MSU) who came from Mindanao, from as far as Sulu and Palawan bringing with them the indigenous wisdom which technology may replicate but cannot surpass. Philosophy, as it touched the groundwork of learning, safeguards not just the contents of the mind but sees to it that the expressions of the thoughts are ethically regulated, while authentic cultural languages are respected.
As we celebrate the 65th MSU Founding Anniversary, we are also celebrating one of the oldest courses the University came to offer: the philo courses then formally to AB Philosophy curriculum, now BA Philosophy. Firstly, Philo 1 prepared learners to the proper worldview in the understanding of the world and their relationship with it; Philo 2 gave students the thinking skills to properly, logically, and truthfully articulate their ideas and projects; lastly, Ethics class carefully develops the truth-seekers’ senses of respect, dignity, and autonomy to establish a happy and peaceful connections with everything that affects how they feel. The tripartite-course is a legacy of the Philosophy Department to the evolving Mindanao learning process.
We wish to offer back these service courses, perhaps as elective —- a profound message during the recent Strat plan of the Department; largely considering the social media as a source of reasoning and living.
Long live MSU and one of its counter-parts, the Philosophy Department! Happy Foundation Day, falls this Sept 1! “ Prepare for the parade!” —- Remember, this 4am chant every Sept 1?
