Be ‘voices of truth’ and ‘bringers of peace’ amid misinformation, division, Artlets told

Artlets students attend the AB monthly mass at the Santisimo Rosario Parish on Feb. 3, which formally starts the month-long celebration for the Faculty of Arts and Letters’ 60th anniversary. Photo by Justin Antonette Flores/ THE FLAME

STUDENTS MUST use their education to engage in meaningful conversations instead of arrogant debates and to become “voices of truth” in a world full of misinformation and self-interest, the Faculty of Arts and Letters (AB) regent said.

In his homily during the AB monthly mass on Feb. 3, Fr. George Phe Mang, O.P. reminded students that academic excellence should be used not to advance personal interests but to uplift others in what he called an “age of division.”

“We are called to continue this journey with a renewed spirit, embracing knowledge not as a tool for personal interests, but as a means to uplift others, to be voices of truth in a world clouded by misinformation, and to be bringers of peace in an age of division,” Phe Mang said at the Santisimo Rosario Parish.

“[L]et us cultivate a community rooted in faith and solidarity, where intellectual discourse is not just about arguments but about genuine dialogue, where differences are embraced as opportunities for growth,” he added.

Phe Mang also urged students to embrace diverse perspectives and use their education to develop empathy and support for those in need.

“So let us seek justice and compassion, ensuring that our education does not lead to arrogance or indifference, but to a deeper love for the marginalized and the oppressed or the unfortunate,” the Artlets regent said.

According to him, the faculty, now celebrating its 60th anniversary, bears witness to the “power of education” and shared wisdom in overcoming social and political upheavals.

“The Faculty of Arts and Letters has been a beacon of intellectual pursuit and spiritual growth for six decades… shaping generations of students who have sought not only knowledge, but also wisdom, not only academic excellence, but also moral integrity.”

“So there have been times of uncertainty, when academic freedom was threatened, when social and political upheavals challenged the pursuit of truth, and when individuals wrestled with doubts and fears about their future. And yet, just as the saints and fathers in Scripture remain steadfast, so too has this community of Arts and Letters persevered,” Phe Mang added.

The AB monthly mass marked the start of the faculty’s month-long celebration of its 60th founding anniversary. Formerly called the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, its name was modified to “Arts and Letters” in 1964 after it merged with the College of Liberal Arts. F

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