Magdalena Vicente Alonso Villaba (July 22, 1928 – September 11, 2023) was a Filipina educational administrator and philosopher. One of the country's most respected philosophy academics, Alonso Villaba published several books and articles on oriental philosophy and Christian philosophy. In 1987, she was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice by Saint John Paul II, then the highest honor a Catholic lay woman could be conferred with.[1]

Magdalena Alonso Villaba, Ph.D.
Dean Emerita of the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School
Personal details
Born
Magdalena Vicente Alonso

(1928-07-22)July 22, 1928
Philippine Islands
DiedSeptember 11, 2023(2023-09-11) (aged 95)
NationalityFilipino
SpouseMamerto Villaba
ChildrenEsperanza Villaba Alvez & Beniamino Villaba Sr.
ParentVictoria Lagasca Vicente (Mother) & Jose Mario Gonzales Alonso Sr. (Father)
Alma materUniversity of Santo Tomas
OccupationPhilosopher
AwardsPro Ecclesia et Pontifice

Education edit

Magdalena Alonso Villaba finished high school from St. Paul College Manila. She graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in 1957, Master of Arts in philosophy in March 1968, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in May 1976.[2]

Career edit

Magdalena Alonso Villaba was assistant dean and dean of University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Arts and Letters from 1972 to 1976 and 1976 to 1987 respectively, and was dean of the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School from 1987 to 1995. She was full professor and dean emeritus at the time of her retirement in 1996 but remained teaching at the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School until 2008 at the age of 80. Her dissertation "An Interpretation on the Doctrine of Transmigration" was published in full by Philippiniana Sacra in 1976. Her master thesis "The Atman-Brahman Relationship in the Upanishads" was published in full by Unitas in 1972.[3][4]

Death edit

Villaba died on September 11, 2023, at the age of 95.[5]

Bibliography edit

  • Philosophy of the East (1980, 1995)[6][7]
  • Prelude to the Wisdom of the East (1979)[8]
  • The Mission of Women: A Return to their Original Role (1976)[9]
  • An Interpretation of the Doctrine of Transmigration (1975)[10]

Honors edit

  • Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (1987)

References edit

  1. ^ Villanueva, Jerome (28 April 2016). "Pope confers highest honor on Thomasian sculptor". The Varsitarian. The Varsitarian. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  2. ^ UST Department of Philosophy. "7th Thomasian Philosophers Reunion Convention". Facebook. University of Santo Tomas Department of Philosophy. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  3. ^ University of Santo Tomas (13 June 2022). "Legacy of Magdalena Villaba". University of Santo Tomas. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  4. ^ University of Santo Tomas (8 July 2022). "AB closes quasquicentennial anniversary celebration with alumni fellowship". University of Santo Tomas. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  5. ^ "Former AB dean Magdalena Villaba passes away". The Flame. 11 September 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  6. ^ Villaba, Magdalena A. (1996). Philosophy of the East. UST Publishing House. p. 277. ISBN 9789715060691.
  7. ^ Khayearlshop. "Philosophy of the East by Magdalena Villaba". Shopee. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  8. ^ Villaba, Magdalena (1979). Prelude to the wisdom of the East. University of the Philippines Diliman Main Library, Filipiniana Book Section. p. 350. Retrieved 30 May 2023.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  9. ^ Villaba, Magdalena (16 June 2008). "The mission of women : a return to their original role". Retrieved 30 May 2023. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  10. ^ Villaba, Magdalena (1976). "An interpretation of the doctrine of transmigration". Philippiniana Sacra. Retrieved 30 May 2023.

External links edit