By NOSTRUM Publication
NAGA CITY — The Philosophy Department of the Holy Rosary Major Seminary, comprised of resident-seminarians from the Archdiocese of Caceres and the Diocese of Virac, hosted the Bicol Association of Philosophy Seminarians (BAPS) Meet 2025 with the theme “Bikolanong Pilosopo: Ilaw nin Paglaom” last February 20-22 at the said seminary. 6 other seminaries in the Bicol region participated in the said event, namely: Mater Salutis College Seminary of the Diocese of Legazpi, Society of the Most Holy Trinity College Seminary (SOLT), Sedes Sapientiae Formation House of the Diocese of Masbate, Saint Benedict Diocesan Seminary of the Diocese of Libmanan, Our Lady of Peñafrancia Seminary of the Diocese of Sorsogon, and Holy Trinity College Seminary of the Diocese of Daet. Almost 200 seminarians attended the 3-day assembly.
Rev. Fr. Joey D. Gonzaga, Rector of Holy Rosary Major Seminary, officially welcomed the participants and presided over the eucharistic celebration that marked the opened event. In his homily, he said, “True wisdom is the integration of truth into the moral and spiritual life of a person. This means that one can call himself wise if he can integrate truth into his moral and spiritual actions. The law, the truth—who is God Himself—will guide you in all your decisions and actions.”
In the Age of AI
On the second day, Federico Jose T. Lagdameo, Ph.D., a Philosophy professor of both the Ateneo de Naga and Ateneo de Manila Universities and a professor at the Holy Rosary Major Seminary as well, gave a lecture with the theme “A Return to Virtue: Coping and Thriving in our Technological Condition”. The discourse revolved around Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its effect on humans, the economy, and society. Dr. Lagdameo emphasized that the progressive technological advancements in this time require discernment of character traits, and developing technomoral virtues that strive to live a good life. At the end of the lecture, he said, “It is not our technical competence nor our financial savvy nor the magnitude of our online influence that will matter in the end, but rather our character, our virtue.”
At the Foot of the Cross
On the last day, seminarians gathered at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Peñafrancia for the closing mass, which was presided over by Most Rev. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, D.D., the Archbishop of Caceres. In his homily, Archbishop Alarcon reflected on what it means to be a disciple, emphasizing that a disciple is one who humbly sits at the foot of the master, the one who sits at the cross. He then proposed three essential qualities for discipleship, i.e., intellectual honesty, holistic formation, and the ability to integrate faith and reason.
After the mass, the seminarians gathered at the Legazpi Hall of the said Basilica for the closing program and awarding ceremonies. The Sedes Sapientiae Formation House was declared the Champion for the Short Film-Making Contest, while the Holy Rosary Major Seminary was declared the Overall Champion. The Holy Trinity College Seminary got the first runner-up award, while the Sedes Sapientiae Formation House and Mater Salutis Seminary were declared second runner-ups.
BAPS is a regional organization committed to fostering intellectual development, philosophical engagement and spiritual nourishment among the seminarians of the Bicol region. It also aims to promote camaraderie, brotherhood, and collaboration among the seminarians through games and social events. Currently, Rev. Fr. Manuel Zagada serves as the Dean of the HRMS Philosophy Department, and Rev. Fr. Nunilon Arnold Bancaso, Jr., is the BAPS Moderator.
留言