FORTY YEARS of teaching Filipino philosophy and counting, Fr. Roque Ferriols, SJ, continues to inspire students, colleagues, and alumni to move in meron and, at the same time, be proud of the native language.
The 85-year old professor emeritus was recognized by the Filipino Department during the opening of the Buwan ng Wika at Kultura in an event titled “Meron KA,” held on August 4 at the Manuel V. Pangilinan (MVP) Basement.
In celebration of the Buwan ng Wika at Kultura, the Filipino Department annually awards individuals or organizations who have dedicated their lives to promoting the Filipino language.
This year, the department has chosen to award Ferriols, in line with his 40th year of teaching philosophy in Filipino in the university.
After the awarding ceremony, Filipino Department Chair Jerry Respeto opened an exhibit in MVP, which showcased the life and work of Ferriols.
The philosopher of meron
Born August 16, 1924, Fr. Ferriols is considered the father of Filipino philosophy. He studied in the Ateneo de Manila University and entered the Jesuit novitiate in Novaliches, and obtained his Ph.D. in philosophy from Fordham University.
Now a Jesuit for more than 60 years, Ferriols started teaching philosophy in Filipino in 1969. “Padre”—as he is fondly called by current and former students—is known for his philosophy of meron (its closest translation to English is “being”).
In a piece honoring Ferriols as professor emeritus in 2006, Philosophy Professor Leovino Ma. Garcia said of Ferriols: “Nag-iisa siyang nangahas na bigkasin ang tunay na umiiral o Meron sa katutubong wika sa panahong Ingles lamang ang naghaharing wika sa mga pamantasan at inakala pang tanging wika ng pag-iisip (He alone dared to speak what truly exists—“being”—in the native language, in a time when English dominated the universities and was thought to be the only language for [philosophical] thinking).”
An inspiration
Actor Ron Capinding, a former student, said Ferriols instilled in him the love for the Filipino language. Capinding is also a Filipino teacher in the high school.
“Si Padre Ferriols ang nagdulot ng apoy ng aking pagmamahal para sa wikang Filipino (Fr. Ferriols was the cause of my passion for the Filipino language),” he said.
“Nakita ko sa mga klase namin kay Padre Ferriols [na]…kumbinsidong-kumbinsido siya sa kapangyarihan ng wikang Filipino (I saw in our classes with Fr. Ferriols that he is really convinced in the power of the Filipino language),” he added.
Vice President Assunta Cuyegkeng, a former Ferriols student, said Fr. Ferriols taught her to find meaning in words and actions.
Robert Lance Chua, who is currently taking a Ferriols class, said he has learned how to be more thankful to God not only through Ferriols’ teaching, but also through his personality. “Sa simpleng pagtawa ni Fr. Ferriols at sa kanyang simpleng buhay, natutunan kong maging [mapagpasalamat] sa Diyos (In Fr. Ferriols’ laughter and in his simple life, I have learned to be thankful to the Lord),” he said.
Love for our own language
Junior Angela Bianca Redoblado, another current student, also said she feels Ferriols’ love for the national language. She said she also learns a lot from using Filipino in her philosophy class.
“Ang paggamit nito sa klase ay nagbigay sa akin ng mas malawak na pang-uunawa sa kung ano ang naidudulot ng paggamit nito sa ating pangaraw-araw na komunikasyon (Its usage in class makes me understand better the effects of its usage in our daily communication),” she added.
Apart from the Ferriols’ commemoration, a Mass was also held at the Church of the Gesu on August 9 in celebration of the Buwan ng Wika at Kultura.
With reports from Jose Cua and Jed Guillergan
why put him on a pedestal. he’s not that great. his class are based on western philosohy. nothing original there. meron? being? so pretentious. pinoys will never be great philosophers because we interpret existence through our hearts not our minds.