Galing Ateneo: Alumni Conversations “Divorce: Filipino Style”

The Office of University Development and Alumni Affairs (OUDAA), in cooperation with the School of Humanities (SOH) and Ateneo de Manila School of Law, invites you to the Galing Ateneo: Alumni Conversations roundtable discussion “Divorce: Filipino Style” with panelists Ateneo Theology Professor Fr Adolfo N Dacanay SJ, Ateneo Law Professor Atty Mel Sta Maria, and RMT-Center for Family Ministries Pastoral Counselor Dr Antonia C Siy, RPsy on Saturday, 21 September 2024, from 3:00-5:00 PM in the Leong Hall Auditorium. The event is free of charge.

The House of Representatives has approved House Bill 9349, which allows absolute divorce in the Philippines, with 131 votes for, 109 against, and 20 abstentions—marking a significant stride for the country. Despite this, divorce remains a contentious topic in Philippine society.

In the second Galing Ateneo: Alumni Conversations, we take time to examine and deliberate the diverse perspectives surrounding divorce and its potential effects upon its possible legalization.

Register for this unique opportunity to hear from  the Philippines' most distinguished experts at: https://go.ateneo.edu/GalingAteneoSOHALSDivorce 

PANELISTS

Fr Adolfo N Dacanay SJ, Theology Professor, Ateneo de Manila University

Fr Adolfo N Dacanay, SJ, born on 5 September 1953, in San Fernando, La Union, Philippines, is a prominent Jesuit priest and academic specializing in canon law and theology. He holds a Doctor of Canon Law (JCD) from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy, where he studied from 1984 to 1989.

Fr Dacanay's extensive educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Ateneo de Manila University and a Bachelor in Sacred Theology (STB) from Loyola School of Theology. His formative years in the Jesuit tradition began in various minor seminaries, culminating in his final vows taken on 30 July 1977.

His ministry spans several decades, with notable roles including Judge in the Matrimonial Tribunal and Theology Professor at Ateneo de Manila University. He has also served as a community minister, consultor, and has taught canon law at various institutions, including Loyola School of Theology and Ateneo Law School. Fr Dacanay has been actively involved in the Jesuit community, contributing to both academic and pastoral missions.

Fr Dacanay's commitment to education and the Catholic faith is evident in his teaching and administrative roles, shaping the future of many students and the broader community.

Atty Melencio “Mel” Santos Sta Maria Jr, Professor, Ateneo de Manila School of Law

Atty Melencio Santos Sta Maria Jr is a distinguished law professor with 37 years of experience, primarily at the Ateneo de Manila School of Law. He previously served as the Dean of the Far Eastern University Institute of Law and has a background as a litigator, although he is now retired from active practice. Currently, he teaches at several institutions, including Ateneo, FEU, UST, PLM, UMak, and MLQU. He has also been appointed as "amicus curiae" by the Supreme Court in civil law cases.

In addition to his academic roles, Atty Sta Maria is a seasoned broadcaster, having worked with TV5 and Radyo5, where he won the 2015 Kapisanan ng Brodkaster (KBP) award for Best Public Service Host for Radio. He also received the Hiyas ng Sining Award in 2019 for the same category. His current program, "Dean Mel on Air," is available on YouTube, Facebook, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Atty Sta Maria has authored five law books, including "Persons and Family Relations Law," and three books on current events that reflect his opinions on various issues. He contributes to RAPPLER through his column titled "Just Saying."

Dr Antonia C Siy, RPsy, Pastoral Counselor, RMT-Center for Family Ministries

Dr Antonia Cruz Siy, a registered psychologist, is a Senior Counselor of the RMT-Center for Family Ministries, a family enrichment and healing ministry of the Society of Jesus. She has a PhD in Psychology from the University of the Philippines-Diliman, having written a dissertation entitled “A Healing Partnership: Clients’ Understanding of Counselor Factors in the Therapeutic Alliance in Couple Counseling.” She has master’s degrees in psychology from the University of the Philippines-Diliman and from the New School for Social Research in New York City, and a Bachelor of Arts degree, major in Psychology, from Wellesley College, Massachusetts. She also holds a Professional Diploma in Family Ministries from Cefam-Loyola School of Theology of Ateneo de Manila University. She has been certified as a Specialist in Counseling Psychology and in Clinical Psychology by the Psychological Association of the Philippines and is a member of Pambansang Samahan ng Sikolohiyang Pilipino.

Dr Siy has worked as an adoption professional for a number of years. Since June 2022, she has served as a Psychologist Consultant of the National Authority for Child Care (NACC), an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). She was the Psychologist Board Member of the NACC’s precursor, the Inter-Country Adoption Board (ICAB). She has provided training and consulting services for DSWD and various child welfare NGOs in the areas of policy-formulation, program planning, and skills enhancement in the area of child placement services.

Dr Siy is a founding member of the Personality Research Laboratory of UP Diliman’s Department of Psychology. She is a co-author of the Masaklaw na Panukat ng Loob (Mapa ng Loob), a 188-item personality inventory measuring Filipino trait constructs for each of the domains of the Five-Factor Model.