CASS Offers the only BS Philosophy in Applied Ethics in the Philippines

By Janine Patilano

It is challenging yet essential. Versatile but directed. New. Unpredictable. Explorable. Widely applicable. A pioneer discipline of life, wisdom and morals. The first and only BS Philosophy in Applied Ethics in the entire Philippines. 

BS Philosophy in Applied Ethics, was approved as a program wayback August of 2017. It was fully established as its department started to accept enrollees on August 2018 the start of the MSU - IIT new academic year. What's new with BS Philosophy in Applied Ethics in CASS?

Assoc. Prof. Fernando V. Garingo, the chairman of the Department Philosophy and Humanities reveals that unlike other institutions who mostly offer AB Philosophy, a program that covers everything to the extent that the students are left hanging due to the absence of specialization. BS Philosophy however, is a program that focuses on one discipline and that is Applied Ethics. Though, there are core courses which students can venture to but in their junior and senior years they will choose their specialization and they will be immersed via On the Job Training which would take two months of instruction and three months application/training. 

Furthermore, BS Philosophy in Applied Ethics graduates have approximately 20 career paths to pursue some are: legal studies, medical studies, media studies, counseling, and religious formation which indicate that the courses are indeed versatile yet applicable. 

The reason behind a choice of embracing BS Philosophy in Applied Ethics was shared by a 19 year old student, Jenny Ong who is currently enrolled in the program. Surprisingly, this girl only knows the existence of the course upon enrollment but bravely she chose the course. According to her, the course’s socialization role which for her, most people lack and  to make it as her pre - law are the reasons behind her choice. As she enrolled, she expected that her course deals with 90% reading yet she braced herself through a big binder purchase but unfortunately she was not able to use it and that she plans to buy a small one for her second semester. So far, she enjoyed being a pioneer student of the course as what her department wished for all of them. 

The Mayor of Junior Philosophers' Guild, a student organization of BS Philosophy in Applied Ethics shares his story as well. Anthony Ceazar Aya-ay, a 19 year old student, admits that it was during Senior High School when he knew about BS Philosophy in CASS. Originally, he planned to enroll in Political Science but he heard about the course and got interested. He chose the course though he knew beforehand that it would be tough since it is in its pioneering days but he believes in the capacity of his instructors to guide him. Despite this fact, for him as a pioneer student of BS Philosophy is a leap of faith. It allows him to venture in other fields to know his field of interest. BS Philosophy in Applied Ethics is indeed an amazing course and for Jenny and Anthony, CASS should continue offering the course to provide more opportunities to students who wish to pursue public service in the future.

The Chairman of the Department Assoc. Prof. Garingo, loves to convey his message to his present and future students: "Go! Go! Go! Graduate! You will be the pioneers of the course only MSU -IIT - CASS offers in the entire Philippines. Graduate and be the history of BS Philosophy in Applied Ethics!"