The Philosophical Society of UPLB

𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐭, 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 🌠

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗺? 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧? 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 𝗜𝗧'𝗦 𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗗?!

We congratulate our First Semester A.Y. 2025–2026 academic achievers for slaying and owning another semester! The organization recognizes the efforts and hard work you put in everything you do. May our pillar of excellence coupled with enlightenment and solidarity remains to be your guiding motivation.

Sapere Aude!

𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓰𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓻,

One must wonder, are you prepared for the social season ahead? 💃🏻

This author is cordially inviting you to the most anticipated event of the Ton! 🖋️

Join us in 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗼𝗰 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, as we cast a perceptive eye upon the origins, principles, and pursuits of PhiloSoc. ✨

The introduction is far more illuminating than any whispered gossip. 🤫

This author gladly awaits the pleasure and the honor of your company at Jacques’ 7:00PM. All are most welcome to join in on the fun, and philosophize with PhiloSoc!

Ready to socialize with us this season? If so, this author eagerly awaits you making her acquaintance!

Register here:
https://forms.gle/BKJg29DYi3hAYEkr6
https://forms.gle/BKJg29DYi3hAYEkr6
https://forms.gle/BKJg29DYi3hAYEkr6

𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆: 𝑨𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝑵𝑶𝑻 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒅𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕.

To my dearest inaanak Johanna 💕

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NANAK! 🥳🎂

I don’t know how close we’ll still be in the future, but you know this already—we’re kinda birds of the same feather, and I really think I was meant to be your ninong 😌✨ MWEHEHEHE.

I hope you celebrate your birthday with exactly the amount of happiness your heart wishes for. 🥹💫 PAKAIN KA NAMAN DIYAN SA PIXIE FOREST NATIN OH!! 🌳🧚‍♀️ I’m really looking forward to more time bonding with you, Nak, and of course, more drama sessions and kwentuhan 🫶😆

Enjoy your day to the fullest, because ikaw na ‘yan—you truly deserve it 💖🌈
Happy 18th Birthday, Nak! 🎉🎊

With so much love,
Your Mama 💞

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲𝐬! ⚖️

The Philosophical Society of UPLB congratulates our proud alumnaes, 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝘆. 𝗟𝗶𝘇𝗲𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱𝗮 𝗬𝗮𝗴𝗼 and 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝘆. 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗘𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗼, for passing the 2025 Philippine Bar Examinations. Your efforts and dedication to the legal profession are the guiding principle for our country's brighter future. May you always pursue your love for philosophy and law in serving the Filipino people. 𝙈𝙖𝙗𝙪𝙝𝙖𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙜𝙖 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙜𝙖𝙙𝙤 𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙣!

Sapere Aude!

✨ 𝑭𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒉 ✨

How does the Filipino practice of hiyâ contribute to the perpetuation of epistemic injustice surrounding lookism in Filipino society? I answer this by arguing that hiyâ contribute to the perpetuation of epistemic injustice surrounding lookism in Filipino society. I answer this by arguing that hiya functions as both an internal and external mechanism of silencing, one that inhibits marginalized knowers from articulating their experiences of lookism and simultaneously allows dominant groups to maintain their ignorance under the guise of being moral. (Jara 2025)

In celebration of the 28th anniversary of the Philosophy Division, the Philosophical Society of UPLB’s January feature proudly presents the work of Mark Bonnin A. Jara, which interrogates the intersections of hiyâ, beauty, and knowledge in the Philippine context. This research examines lookism—discrimination based on physical appearance—and argues that hiyâ functions as a mechanism of epistemic injustice, sustaining silence, dismissal, and ignorance.

Drawing from the works of Fricker, Spiegel, Pohlhaus, and Dotson, the thesis reframes hiyâ not merely as a personal feeling of shame but as a social and structural pressure that enforces taboos around “ugliness.” Through the cases of Banoy and Kiko, the study reveals how marginalized Filipino features (kayumanggi skin, pango noses, and kulót hair) become grounds not only for discrimination, but for the systematic silencing of lived experience and knowledge.

This work goes beyond aesthetics. It is a vital contribution to Filipino philosophy and social epistemology, exposing how colonial beauty standards persist through hiyâ and remain largely unquestioned. More importantly, it challenges readers to ask: what forms of knowledge are lost when people are taught to be ashamed of how they look?

May this thesis remind us that philosophy does not only interpret the world—it also gives us the language to name silences, confront injustice, and imagine more just ways of knowing and being!

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻 𝗔. 𝗝𝗮𝗿𝗮 is a 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘢 𝘤𝘶𝘮 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘦 graduate of the Philosophy Division, Department of Humanities, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños. His undergraduate thesis was awarded with High Distinction, a first in the 28-year history of the Philosophy Division. Mr. Jara previously served as Chief Archon and is a proud alumnus of the Philosophical Society of UPLB.

𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗺𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗷𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗲! 🥰

congratulations for making it through yet another year! the same way your 18th had much in store for you experience-wise, i'm sure your 19th would turn out to be the same, if not better, with the drive and passion running your psyche. your 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, paired with your 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 and 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝘁, will surely get you places!

i feel honored to be one of the first upperclassmen you've bonded with as a freshman in UPLB, jonna. surely, you'll have more friends (or orgs!) to come on your college journey, but i hope you keep a special place in your heart for me and philosoc! we're as 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 as you are to have us in your life.

keep striving, smiling, and shining! ☺️

love,
𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓-𝒌𝒊𝒌𝒂𝒚, 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒔𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆 💋

'𝗧𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆 🎶🔔

The Philosophical Society of UPLB wishes everyone a merry holiday season!

As we end this year, we look back on all the new people we’ve met and the memories we’ve made together, ones we'll share as our journeys go on.

This year, PhiloSoc was filled with laughter, tears, and everything in between—moments that challenged us, grounded us, and brought us closer together. To commemorate all of this, the Philosophical Society of UPLB came together once more in a night full of laughter and camaraderie, celebrating the year.

Once again, happy holidays! We look forward to what’s in store for us in 2026.

Hi Nanak! Hope youre doing well today on this lovely occassion. You know, at first, I didnt really know if we would get along since youre a lot more outgoing and headstrong than your ninxng. But as I got to know you, It never mattered how different we were. I just knew that I looked forward to seeing how passionte you are about your batchmates, our org, and everything that you give effort to. Reminds me of how I used to ve when I was a freshman (sorry unc status na HAHAHHAA) But yeah, may you never cease to be courageously you and keep strong and hold your head up high. Your efforts are well loved and appreciated, and most of all are seen, and I can see how strong you are nanak :]] syempre angkan ko na yan HAHAHAHA

Keep on keeping on and always remember, andi-to lang ako for you whenever needed

𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝘀.

The Philosophical Society of UPLB explored the striking theme of 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 in their successful ED/PD session last November 26. The discussions examined how relationships often carry an undertone of consumption, reflected on the dynamics of devouring, what remains after that exchange, and whether such acts are necessary for love to feel authentic and complete.

The insights extended beyond theory into literary and social analysis, and touched on the use of cannibalism as metaphor in famous trends, songs, and movies.

Their exchanges were insightful and substantive, the very kind of intellectual encounter that Philosoc continues to foster.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY INAANAK!!! 🥹💕

firstly, i’m very proud for your first year in philosoc and in elbi. your quiet nature is not to be reckoned with when your intelligence speaks so much volume :)) i hope for continuous growth in your beauty and wits with confidence ^^ always know that i’m cheering you on and i look forward to celebrating your future wins, whether it’d be big and small. love you

✨ 𝑭𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒉 ✨

𝗪𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿? 𝗪𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 “𝘂𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱” 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻?

The Philosophical Society of UPLB presents the final installment of this year’s Featured Thesis Series: “𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗔𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗹ı’𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗜𝗻𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲” by Mr. Lloyd Castro.

This thesis demonstrates that Western media does far more than relay events. It actively shapes the framework through which societies recognize and validate truth. Drawing on Miranda Fricker and Imge Oranlı, Mr. Castro shows how credibility becomes a tool of power, granting legitimacy to Israeli narratives while systematically discrediting Palestinian testimonies.

By analyzing the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the thesis reveals that epistemic injustice is not abstract but violently real. Media institutions function as epistemic authorities, enforcing colonial hierarchies that determine which voices are heard and which are erased. These structures make Palestinian suffering harder to comprehend, grieve, or acknowledge.

The thesis emphasizes that misinformation extends beyond journalistic bias or flawed fact-checking. It forms part of a broader structure of epistemic domination, where historical legacies and political alliances dictate whose experiences the world will recognize as human.

“By exposing how testimonial injustice operates in media narratives, this study aims to inform advocacy efforts, promote ethical journalism, and strengthen media literacy initiatives. It urges news consumers to critically engage with sources, question dominant narratives, and recognize the structural biases that govern global reporting.”

The consequences of this imbalance are profound. Media misrepresentation shapes policy, molds public opinion, and constructs moral hierarchies that teach audiences whom to mourn and whom to doubt. Mr. Castro urges readers to examine their own assumptions, asking why certain perspectives appear objective while others are automatically dismissed.

In a world where narratives can justify violence or erase it entirely, this thesis insists that resisting epistemic injustice is an ethical imperative. Listening differently challenges the systems that make oppression seem reasonable and opens the possibility of a more just recognition of suffering.

𝗠𝗿. 𝗟𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼 is a graduate of the Philosophy Division, Department of Humanities, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños, and a proud alumnus of The Philosophical Society of UPLB.