Author Archives: Karen Connie Abalos-Orendain

UP Department of Philosophy’s Collective Mentorship Programs

 

In support of President Angelo Jimenez’s Flagship Program on “Strengthening Research and Creative Work Units to Accelerate Productivity for Enhanced Public Service,” the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) has approved four key Collective Mentorship Programs (CMP) from the Department of Philosophy.

With institutional support from the UP System, the CMPs will drive collaborative research, creative work, and innovation that deliver tangible, lasting societal impact. The BOR-approved programs under the Collective Mentorship Programs (CMP) framework are the following:

 

Bioethics

The program advances Filipino-centered bioethics by developing a framework that examines the interconnected realities of health, illness, diseases, technology, and health systems in Philippine society. Through research, training, and mentorship, it explores Filipino bioethical perspectives and produces scholarly manuscripts, training modules, webinars, evidence-based health policies, and related output. Ultimately, it seeks to build bioethical knowledge rooted in Filipino values, contexts, and lived experiences.

 

 

 

Feminist Philosophy and Gender Studies

This is a program that examines the marginalization of women and the perpetuation of gender biases grounded in philosophical frameworks. Its aim is to dismantle structural inequalities, validate marginalized experiences, and promote inclusive, gender-responsive knowledge production. Feminist philosophy has secured a distinct place within philosophical scholarship, as evidenced by the courses dedicated to it, the existence of professional organizations at both the local and international levels, and the wide dissemination of its publications globally.

 

 

 

 

Philosophy for Children

Philosophy for Children’s (P4C) focus is the enhancement of thinking skills. Its initiatives include training and mentorship efforts through research that addresses Filipino students’ poor performance as revealed by educational assessments.

Given the long history of P4C, it is now time to document its development and publish an official training portfolio. Doing so would strengthen its impact on Philippine society as a whole and contribute more effectively to the advancement of the country’s educational system.

 

 

Pilosopiyang Pilipino and Indigenous Philosophies

The Pilosopiyang Pilipino and Indigenous Philosophies Program advances collaborative research on Filipino and Indigenous philosophical traditions, concepts, and knowledge systems. Its areas of inquiry include, but not limited to, indigenous epistemologies, ethics, social and political philosophy, language, metaphysics, religion, and emerging discourses on Indigenous environment, health, food, and education. Through sustained seminars, interdisciplinary research, publication initiatives, and structured mentorship, the program cultivates scholarly communities, supports emerging researchers, and strengthens the development and global visibility of Filipino and Indigenous philosophies.