About the President

Fr. Daniel Franklin E. Pilario, CM, Ph.D., S.Th.D., is the 7th President and 3rd alumnus President of Adamson University. A member of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) in the Philippines and a theologian by profession, Fr. Pilario, born in Hagdan, Oslob, Cebu, brings a wealth of experience, scholarship, and a commitment to social justice.

Reflecting on his vocation, Fr. Pilario's childhood dreams of becoming a priest evolved into a profound commitment to Vincentian values. Despite initial struggles due to financial constraints, his parents supported his calling. His journey led him to the Redemptorists before joining the Vincentians, driven by a vision to work with marginalized communities, aligning with St. Vincent's original mission.

Fr. Pilario holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy degree from Adamson University, a Bachelor in Sacred Theology degree from the University of Santo Tomas, and a Licentiate and Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium.

As a professor and researcher at St. Vincent School of Theology in Quezon City, Fr. Pilario has made significant contributions to academia. His scholarly pursuits include impactful works such as Back to the Rough Grounds of Praxis which received the Jan en Marie Huyse Prijs for the best research in the humanities in 2003. Additionally, he has demonstrated editorial leadership, contributing to the boards of prestigious theological and philosophical journals.

Fr. Pilario's extensive academic journey reflects his commitment to theological research, with interests spanning from fundamental theology, cultural theories, inculturation, liberation theology, theological anthropology, methods of theological research, political-social theory, theology and ecology, Catholic Social Teaching, and justice and human rights.

Beyond the academia, Fr. Pilario has a rich history of ministry and social advocacy. As a former President and Founding Member of DAKATEO (Catholic Theological Society of the Philippines), he actively engages in public theology. His professorial lectures at various universities and seminaries in the country, along with a regular ministry at a garbage dumpsite parish in Payatas, Quezon City, for two decades now, underscore his commitment to practical engagement with societal challenges.

Fr. Pilario's experiences in various pastoral assignments, including a small urban parish facing numerous challenges, deeply influenced his theological approach. In the face of contemporary challenges, such as extrajudicial killings during President Rodrigo Duterte's administration, Fr. Pilario remains a tireless advocate for justice. His theological reflections on abuse of power and his dedication to telling the stories of the widows and orphans showcase a commitment to Vincentian principles in addressing societal injustices.

In his acceptance speech for the presidency of Adamson University, which he delivered on December 13, 2023, Fr. Pilario presented himself as a servant-leader, encouraging everyone to "give thanks to those who preceded us, to care deeply for those who are with us at present, and to dare bravely for the future." He also reiterated his vision and how he plans to continue fulfilling the mission of the University, both as an established technical school and a Vincentian institution, stating, "Unless our sciences lead to the alleviation of pain and suffering in the world, all that we do are actually useless."