About
The Silliman University School of Public Affairs and Governance believes in governance that looks into the heart rather than at the appearance of things or phenomena (1 Sam 16:7). The school maintains that no facts exist except those that are disclosed in the interpretation of what is already understood (Salazar, 2001). As Salazar aptly puts it, “We can have a million facts in our heads and still remain uneducated.”
For the SU-SPAG, the goal of real education is to enable students to stand in the truth that manifests in our existence, not just accumulate mere facts through a predefined theory for practical considerations. Facts do not give us true knowledge, since true knowledge can only spring from a system of knowing wherein one is able to learn. The sense of this education, which is fundamental in our search for truth and which one can learn in SPAG, is ensconced in the words of Martin Heidegger (1987):
But to know means: to be able to stand in the truth. Truth is the manifestness of the essence (i.e., existence). To know is accordingly to stand in the manifestness of the essence, to endure it. Merely to have information, however abundant, is not to know. Even if curricula and examination requirements concentrate this information into what is of the greatest practical importance, it still does not amount to knowledge. XXX The man who possesses such information and learned a few practical tricks, will still be perplexed in the presence of reality, which is always different from what the Philistine means by down-to-earth; he will always be a bungler. Why? Because he has no knowledge, for to know means to be able to learn.
Heidegger’s thought process exposes the obsolescence of the calculative academics whose thought processes have matured in the existing performance measurement approaches that rely primarily on financial accounting measures which, according to Kaplan and Morton (1996), are “becoming obsolete.” In the Philippine setting, the same thinking process paves the “ground of thoughtlessness” in NEDA’s penchant for constructing arbitrary macroeconomic and financial performance indicators which have led Philippine governance to nowhere but backwardness.
As an agent of change in governance, the SPAG has redirected its learning thought processes to a transcendental mode of understanding reality for strategic decision-making in governance. In this approach to knowing, SPAG’S calculative learning mechanisms are grounded on meditative learning, which enables students to stand in the self-showing of what is there to learn from reality. This self-showing of reality nourishes the calculative thinking of the students to develop key result areas for strategic action in governance. Following the logic of transcendental knowing and strategic decision making, the school expects to develop a new set of graduates who can overcome over-reliance on the financial accounting measures that are used in existing governance. These performance measures only encourage the development of what Heidegger calls “flight-from thinking” that grounds the prevailing thoughtlessness (Heidegger, 1967). Thus, SPAG’s calculative thinking in terms of established balanced governance KRA (Key Result Areas) measurement approach to learning for good governance is a meditative thinking articulation that will give its students “a system to communicate and to align good governance to new strategies (see also KPMG-NN Institute, 1990).
Leadership
FERDINAND M. MANGIBIN
- Dean, School of Public Affairs and Governance
- Officer-In-Charge Dean, Graduate Programs
- Faith and Instruction Coordinator, F.I.R.E.
Rank: Associate Professor
Education:
- Doctor of Theology major in Christian Ethics (on-going)
- PhD in Philosophy (University of San Carlos)
- Master of Arts in Philosophy (University of San Carlos)
- Master of Arts in Theology (Don Bosco Center of Studies, Metro Manila)
ASST. PROF. JOHANNA A. DIAGO
- Chairperson, BS Foreign Affairs Program, School of Public Affairs and Governance
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration (on-going)
- Master in Public Administration
ASST. PROF. MARK ANTHONY SALVE
- Chairperson, BS Public Administration Program, School of Public Affairs and Governance
- Coordinator, Master in Public Administration Program
- Research Coordinator, F.I.R.E.
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- Doctor of Public Administration (on-going)
- PhD in Social Science
- Master of Public Health
TEODORA A. CUBELO
- Dean, Institute of Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- Coordinator, Master of Arts in Hospital Administration
Rank: Associate Professor (Part-time)
Education:
- PhD in Education (Research and Evaluation)
- MS in Public Health
JIN H. GENOVE
- Coordinator, Master of Public Health Program
Rank: Assistant Professor (Part-time)
Education:
- PhD in Education (Research and Evaluation)
- Master of Public Health
Updated: September 27, 2024 Office of Media and Public Affairs
Faculty & Staff
Education:
- Master in Public Administration (on-going)
Education:
- PhD in Mathematics (NORSU)
- MA in Education major in Education (University of Perpetual Help System)
Education:
- Troisieme Cycle Degree (Centre d’Études Diplomatiques et Stratѐgiques, Paris France)
- Master of Public Administration (UP NCPAG)
- Masters in Business Administration (Asian Institute of Management)
- MS Meteorology (academic requirements) [UP Diliman]
Education:
- Juris Doctor (Foundation University)
Education:
- PhD Political Science (De La Salle University) (on-going)
- Master in Public Administration
- Dean, Institute of Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- Coordinator, Master of Arts in Hospital Administration
Education:
- PhD in Education (Research and Evaluation)
- MS in Public Health
Education:
- PhD in Communication (University of the Philippines-Diliman)
- Masters of Business Administration (University of La Verne, CA, USA)
Education:
- MS in Biology
Education:
- PhD in Business Administration (on-going)
- Master in Business Administration
- Chairperson, BS Foreign Affairs, School of Public Affairs and Governance
Education:
- Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration (on-going)
- Master in Public Administration (Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University)
- Chairperson, BS Foreign Affairs Program, School of Public Affairs and Governance
Education:
- Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration (on-going)
- Master in Public Administration
- Chairperson, History and Political Science Department
Education:
- Master in Public Administration
Education:
- Master in Public Management (Ateneo de Manila University) (on-going)
- Coordinator, Master of Public Health Program
Education:
- PhD in Education (Research and Evaluation)
- Master of Public Health
Education:
- MA in Asian Studies (24 units) (University of the Philippines-Diliman)
Education:
- PhD in Social Science
- MA in Political Science (University of the Philippines-Diliman)
Education:
- PhD in History (completed course work) (Northern Arizona University)
- MA in History
Education:
- Doctor of Management-Human Resource Management (University of San Jose Recoletos-Cebu City)
- MA in Psychology (Social Psychology)
Education:
- Master in Public Administration
- Dean, School of Public Affairs and Governance
- Officer-In-Charge Dean, Graduate Programs
- Faith and Instruction Coordinator, F.I.R.E.
Education:
- Doctor of Theology major in Christian Ethics (on-going)
- PhD in Philosophy (University of San Carlos)
- Master of Arts in Philosophy (University of San Carlos)
- Master of Arts in Theology (Don Bosco Center of Studies, Metro Manila)
- Director, Information and Communications Technology Division
Education:
- Doctor in Information Technology (Cebu Institute of Technology University)
Education:
- Bachelor of Laws
- AB Political Science
Education:
- PhD in Education
- Master in Public Administration
- New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching (North Tec)
- Coordinator, PhD in Social Science Program
Education:
- PhD in Social Science
- MA in History
Education:
- PhD in Philosophy (University of San Carlos, Cebu City) (on-going)
- MA in Philosophy
- Master in Education Major in Educational Management (St. Paul University, Dumaguete City)
- Director, Silliman University Government Affairs (SUGA) Center
- Extension Coordinator, F.I.R.E.
Education:
- Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration (on-going)
- Master in Business Administration
- Chairperson, BS Public Administration Program, School of Public Affairs and Governance
- Coordinator, Master in Public Administration Program
- Research Coordinator, F.I.R.E.
Education:
- Doctor of Public Administration (on-going)
- PhD in Social Science
- Master of Public Health
Education:
- Juris Doctor
Education:
- Diploma in Meteorology (University of the Philippines-Diliman)
- Certificate en Agrometeorologie (Fondation Universitaire Luxembourgeoise)
Education:
- Master in Philippine Studies - Foreign Relations (University of the Philippines-Diliman)
Position:
- Office Secretary, School of Public Affairs and Governance
Education:
- Master in Public Administration (33 units)
- BBA-Management
F.I.R.E.
FERDINAND M. MANGIBIN
- Dean, School of Public Affairs and Governance
- Officer-In-Charge Dean, Graduate Programs
- Faith and Instruction Coordinator, F.I.R.E.
Rank: Associate Professor
Education:
- Doctor of Theology major in Christian Ethics (on-going)
- PhD in Philosophy (University of San Carlos)
- Master of Arts in Philosophy (University of San Carlos)
- Master of Arts in Theology (Don Bosco Center of Studies, Metro Manila)
ASST. PROF. MARK ANTHONY SALVE
- Chairperson, BS Public Administration Program, School of Public Affairs and Governance
- Coordinator, Master in Public Administration Program
- Research Coordinator, F.I.R.E.
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- Doctor of Public Administration (on-going)
- PhD in Social Science
- Master of Public Health
ASST. PROF KRISTIAN REI N. RIVERA
- Director, Silliman University Government Affairs (SUGA) Center
- Extension Coordinator, F.I.R.E.
Rank: Assistant Professor (Part-time)
Education:
- Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration (on-going)
- Master in Business Administration
Updated: September 27, 2024 Office of Media and Public Affairs
Admission
Departments and Baccalaureate Programs
Foreign Affairs
Application Guidelines
School of Public Affairs and Governance (SPAG)
Enrollment Information
The Silliman University (SU) School of Public Affairs and Governance (SPAG) is now accepting applications for Bachelor of Science (BS) in Foreign Affairs for SY 2026-2027.
Qualified applicants may proceed with the enrollment procedures through the Silliman University Application Portal: aris.su.edu.ph/admission.
Ensure good internet connectivity whenever you open the link and follow the steps and prompts. If technical issues arise, please flag them through the SU HelpDesk here: SU HelpDesk.
Requirements
- A photocopy of the Senior High School Form 138
- General average of at least 85% and a final grade in English of at least 85%
- A one- or two-page essay about the student’s commitment to good governance, future goals, and personal values
- A high-to-above-average rating in the Diagnostic Examination
- Final interview by the Chairperson
- An average of 2.3 in all subjects to be credited in the BSFA curriculum
- Applicants with an average between 2.0 to 2.2 may be admitted conditionally and placed under “on probation” status for one (1) semester. NOTE: For the “on probation” status to be lifted in the following semester, they must comply with the required grade of 2.3 in all major subjects.
- A one- or two-page essay about the student’s commitment to good governance, future goals, and personal values
- A high-to-above-average rating in the Diagnostic Examination
- Final interview by the Chairperson
Public Administration
Bachelor of Science in Foreign Affairs and BS Public Administration
SY 2026-2027 Admission Guidelines
General Admission Information
All applicants must fill out the admissions form and upload the required documents to this Admission link: aris.su.edu.ph/admission.
Admission Requirements
- A photocopy of the Senior High School Form 138. The applicant must have a general average of at least 85% and must have a final grade in English of at least 85%.
- A high-to-high average rating in the Diagnostic Examination.
- Final interview by the Chairperson of the program.
- Shiftees/Transferees must have an average of 2.3 in all subjects to be credited in the BSFA or BSPA curriculum.
- Those with an average between 2.0 to 2.2 may be admitted conditionally and be placed under “on probation” status for one (1) semester. The student must comply with the required grade of 2.3 in all major subjects for his “on probation” status to be lifted in the following semester.
- A high-to-high average rating in the Diagnostic Examination.
- Final interview by the Chairperson of the program.
Steps to Schedule the Examination
- Visit the University Business and Finance Office to pay the SPAG testing fee of Php 250.00.
- Bring your official receipt to the Testing Center, located on the 3rd floor of Oriental Hall, to secure your examination schedule.
- If you have paid online, please email your proof of payment to [email protected] to arrange your schedule. Kindly note that you must be physically present on campus to take the examination.
- Exam. Schedule: Mondays to Fridays, starting at 8:00 a.m. at the Testing Center, Office of Student Services, Oriental Hall.
Reminders
- The examination will take approximately 2–3 hours. Please remember to bring pencils and pens.
- After you complete the examination, the Testing Division will forward your results to the SPAG Office.
- The SPAG Office will keep in touch through email regarding the interview schedule.
- Please check the Admission Portal for updates and status of your application.