Thomasian philosophy professor Bro. Romualdo Abulad, SVD died early this morning following cardiac arrest. He was 72.
Abulad taught philosophy courses on Emmanuel Kant and Martin Heidegger, and contemporary philosophy at the UST Graduate School and the Faculty of Arts and Letters.
He was also dean of studies of Christ the King Mission Seminary in Quezon City.
Abulad finished his bachelor’s degree in philosophy and doctorate degree at the University in 1969 and 1978, respectively.
Asst. Prof. Emmanuel de Leon, Abulad’s former student, told the Varsitarian: “A first-class Kantian, Abulad’s reflections on Filipino philosophy, post-modernism and criticism are solid foundations of UST’s library of philosophical work.”
“Malaking kawalan ang pagkamatay niya dahil marami pang kabataan ang dapat sanang dumaan pa sa kaniyang paghuhubog. Bihira ang katulad ni Brother Romy dahil hindi siya makitid sa nag-iisa lamang sistema at parating handang makinig sa sinomang may opinyon,” de Leon added.
Considered one of the four giants of philosophy in the Philippines today, Abulad has authored several researches, publications and articles about philosophy especially on Emmanuel Kant, linkages between eastern and western philosophies, post-modernism and Filipino philosophy.
Born on Sept. 21, 1947 in Lucban, Quezon, Abulad entered the Society of Divine Word Novitiate in 1994 and took his final vows as “cooperator-brother” in 1996.
He became secretary to the provincial of the Society of Divine Word’s Central Philippine Province in 2014.
Abulad’s wake is at Christ the King Mission Seminary in Quezon City. A funeral Mass will be held at 3 p.m. on Dec. 20, Friday, at the Jesus the Divine Word Shrine in Quezon City, followed by his interment at the Society of the Divine Word Cemetery. Julian A. Galaura Jr.
