FOR MOST Filipinos, the last week of February is when the People Power Revolution is commemorated. But for Fr. Luis David, SJ, the last days of February have a more personal significance. Twenty-five years ago, David was ordained into the society, three days shy of the revolution.

“I’m proud to mark my priesthood [alongside the EDSA Revolution],” said David. He dispelled notions that the revolution has “fizzled out and failed.” According to David, the revolution did not fail at the very least.

“EDSA materialized to do one thing and that is to dismantle martial law, resulting in the flight of a dictator. It has not failed in achieving its purpose,” he said.

David currently teaches Philosophy in the Loyola Schools and is the editor of Budhi. Budhi is a multi-disciplinary academic journal which he founded in 1997. The journal features entries from both renowned and up-and-coming academics.

Philosophy Associate Professor Jean Emily Tan said that during David’s years as an educator, he’s had many ideas and done many things. “He’s very interested in promoting international scholarship [especially with Budhi].”

Scary but worthwhile

“A lot of people think that he’s a very scary professor,” said Jame Hurby Say, who took Philosophy 104 under David.

He recounted a time when David got upset at his class. David spent the rest of the period giving a lecture about the discipline involved in listening to the lecture and preparing for class properly.

“I was so nervous at that time that I couldn’t feel my legs,” he said. But unlike many who cowered in the face of an impassioned lecture from David, he found himself motivated to listen and participate. “He’s very passionate and knowledgeable about what he lectures on.”

Patricia Verzo, who’s taken three Philosophy classes under David, agreed. “You learn about society more than just philosophy [in Fr. David’s class] which is, I think, a really worthy thing,” she said. According to her, her impression of David changed from ‘scary’ to ‘strict with rules’ over time.

Senior Hansley Juliano said that David is demanding in terms of requirements but he changes the views of his students. “The first time he mentions things which you think [are] common [but] after he mentions it, you’ll see them in a different light,” Juliano said.

He further stated in a mix of Filipino and English that “Fr. David believes that things should be learned at the shortest time possible and delivered at the best manner imaginable.”

He then added that though David is a firm person inside the academe, he has a nurturing spirit. “Sometimes you can see him near Gonzaga chapel planting because he said that for the many times he [has required] photocopied readings, this is the only way he can erase his carbon footprint.”

‘Nuggets of wisdom’

David also said that his most important experience was his ministry of teaching. “I like bringing the gospel to the classroom because this is what priesthood conveys. I taught math for 10 years. And I assure you, it’s possible to bring the gospels to math,” David said.

Juliano also said that David deconstructs and defamiliarizes things, institutions and practices which people take for granted, and presents them in a new way.

Meanwhile, Tan said that his best great trait is his curiosity. She added that when he talks about ideas, he’s very excited about them and she thinks that that is what inspires a lot of his students.

Verzo also added that David has the ability to change one’s opinions on society.

“He’s very unconventional. He’s more into the problems of society and how philosophy relates to the society instead of the usual philosophy where [you study texts and prepare for orals]. He actually relates what he teaches to life outside Ateneo,” she added.