University installs former SVST Dean, current research director as 7th Prexy
Date Posted: January 8, 2024 at 02:23 PM
Adamson University has a new president.
As AdU closed 2023, it opened a new chapter in its history as it welcomed Fr. Daniel Franklin E. Pilario, CM as its new top administrator during official turnover ceremonies held December 13 at the Co Po Ty Hall of the Dr. Carlos Tiu Center for Technology Innovation and Research.
In his acceptance speech, Fr. Pilario, who was the University’s Center for Research and Development director before his appointment, stressed the importance of giving thanks, caring deeply, and daring bravely in his new role.
Give Thanks, Care Deeply, Dare Bravely
Fr. Pilario recognized the giants who paved the way for Adamson University's success, expressing gratitude to Fr. Marcelo Manimtim and past presidents, including Fr. Rolando dela Goza and Fr. Jimmy Belita. He pledged to uphold the double tradition of technical education and the humanities, aiming to nurture both pillars to sustain the university's standing among the country's top higher education institutions.
Echoing the university's tagline, "Education with a heart," the former dean of the Saint Vincent School of Theology (SVST) called for a community of care. He emphasized the importance of kindness in teaching and firmness in administration, rejecting the notion of "terror professors." He also encouraged a culture of sensitivity to mental health issues and a commitment to make Adamson a space of care and respect.
He urged faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni to foster a welcoming environment, reminding them that Adamson is a "family" that cares deeply for one another.
Fr. Pilario also outlined plans to personally get to know each member of the university, visit offices, and ensure a sustainable, eco-friendly campus.
Addressing the challenges of the modern educational landscape, he acknowledged the impact of technology on student learning. He challenged the Adamson community to dream bravely, adapt curricula, upskill and reskill faculty, and collaborate with other universities to prepare students for a world of advanced technology and global relations.
Fr. Pilario also emphasized the need to balance technological advancements with a focus on values, instilling in students a love for God and neighbor. He called for a holistic approach to education that produces graduates with not only competence but also character and charity.
The 7th President
Fr. Pilario is the third alumnus President of Adamson University. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy degree from AdU, 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 SVST 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.
He has also remained vocal in various societal issues, including the Duterte Administration’s war on drugs, wherein he was a staunch critic and a tireless advocate for justice as reflected in his theological reflections on abuse of power and his dedication to telling the stories of the drug war victims’ widows and orphans showcase a commitment to Vincentian principles in addressing societal injustices.
