SPEAKERS
Ma. Maricel S. Ibita
PhD Biblical Scholar | Educator | Advocate for Justice and Sustainability
Dr. Ma. Maricel S. Ibita is an Associate Professor at the Department of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University. She earned both her ecclesiastical and civil doctorates in Theology from KU Leuven, Belgium in 2015.
Her research integrates narrative, poetry, and metaphor studies with liberation, feminist, trauma, ecological-sustainability, and social-science hermeneutics. She also explores Jewish-Christian sources to enrich contemporary biblical interpretation.
Dr. Ibita served as President of the Catholic Biblical Association of the Philippines during its milestone 25th anniversary in 2024. She is actively involved in global scholarly networks, including the Society of Biblical Literature’s consultation team on Postcolonial Pedagogy for Biblical Studies. She co-chairs two research units of the European Association of Biblical Studies: The Bible, Ecology, and Sustainability and Museums and the Bible.
Her commitment to socially engaged scholarship is evident in her leadership roles in international research collaborations. She was a core team member of the Open Faculty projects under Global Minds, Belgium (2018–2020), and served as local coordinator for the UPWARD- UP project (2020–2022), a community-based initiative funded by VLIR-UOS, Belgium, in partnership with KU Leuven, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Adamson University, and grassroots organizations along the Manggahan Floodway.
Dr. Ibita is actively involved in editorial work, serving on the boards of Concilium, Horizons in Biblical Theology, Hapag, MST Review, and Pamisulu. She also teaches part-time at the St. Vincent School of Theology, Loyola School of Theology, and the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Santo Tomas.
Fr. Clarence Cuevas Marquez, OP
Biblical Scholar | Educator | Dominican Leader
Fr. Clarence Cuevas Marquez, OP, is a Dominican priest and biblical scholar currently serving as the Acting Rector of the Central Seminary at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Manila. He is also an Associate Professor at the UST Faculty of Theology, where he chairs the Scriptures Section.
Born and raised in Paco, Obando, Bulacan, Fr. Marquez is a proud son of the Dominican Province of the Philippines. He made his first religious profession on May 13, 1989, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 14, 1995.
His academic journey began at Colegio de San Juan de Letrán in Intramuros, Manila, where he completed his primary and secondary education (1974–1985). He earned his AB Philosophy from the Philippine Dominican Center of Institutional Studies in 1991, followed by a Bachelor in Sacred Theology (SThB) from UST in 1994. He later pursued a Master of Arts in Literature at Ateneo de Manila University, graduating in 1999.
Fr. Marquez deepened his biblical expertise in Rome, earning a Licentiate in Sacred Scriptures (SSL) from the Pontificio Istituto Biblico (Biblicum) in 2003. He completed his Doctorate in Sacred Theology (SThD), major in Biblical Studies, at the University of Santo Tomas in 2013. A seasoned administrator and educator, he served two terms as the 81st Rector and President of Colegio de San Juan de Letrán, Intramuros, Manila (2015–2023). He also led the Institute of Preaching as Director from 2006 to 2016 and resumed the role in 2020, continuing through 2025.
Fr. Marquez was recently re-elected as President of the Board of Trustees of the Catholic Biblical Association of the Philippines (CBAP), a position he previously held from 2020 to 2023.
Fr. Anthony Q. Carreon, CMF
Parish Priest | Theologian | Educator | Formator
Fr. Anthony Q. Carreon, CMF, is a Claretian missionary priest from Sariaya, Quezon, born on October 25, 1976, in Lucena City. He joined the Claretian Missionaries in 1993 and made his first evangelical profession on May 2, 1999. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 2, 2005.
A scholar and formator, Fr. Anthony earned his Master of Arts in Theological Studies (Scriptures) from Maryhill School of Theology in 2007, graduating magna cum laude. In 2022, he completed his Doctorate in Theology, major in Consecrated Life, at the Institute for Consecrated Life in Asia. His dissertation, Forgiveness Based on the Filipino Concept of Loob in the Light of Matthew 18:21–35, offers a culturally rooted theological contribution to revitalizing religious community life.
Fr. Anthony has served the Claretian community in various leadership roles, including prefect of formation, vocation director, and postulant director of the Fr. Rhoel Gallardo Province. Since 2019, he has been an associate member of the Catholic Biblical Association of the Philippines. Currently, he is the parish priest of San Antonio Maria Claret Parish in the Diocese of Novaliches.
He also serves as a permanent professor and Program Coordinator for Biblical
Ministry at St. Anthony Mary Claret College–Institute for Consecrated Life in Asia, and lectures
at the Institute of Formation and Religious Studies in New Manila, Quezon City.
SHARERS
Dr. Agustin Martin G. Rodriguez is a distinguished philosophy professor at Ateneo de Manila University, where he teaches courses on the philosophy of man, religion, art, governance, and social justice. His academic work is deeply rooted in lived experience, shaped by over two decades of involvement with NGOs focused on human rights, social justice, and equitable development. His commitment to good governance and ethical reflection has informed both his teaching and public engagement.
A prolific author, Dr. Agustin has published seven books exploring the intersections of philosophy, society, and spirituality. His book, Repentance and Rebirth at the End of Life as We Know It, received the 2023 National Book Award from the National Book Development Board, affirming his voice as one of the country's leading thinkers on transformative social change. His most recent work, Kung Bakit May Mga Tanong Ang Buhay At Kung Ano Ang Tinatanong Nito, was published by Claretian Publications.
Fr. Faiq Edmerson T. Quinto, OSJ is a priest of the Oblates of St. Joseph and a native of Rosario, Batangas. His vocation began early, entering the Oblates of St. Joseph Minor Seminary at age 13. He pursued his philosophical and theological studies at the Oblates of St. Joseph College of Philosophy and the Divine Word School of Theology in Tagaytay, later earning his Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Urbaniana University in 2012. Committed to academic excellence, he completed his Master's in Philosophical Research in 2015 and a Doctorate in Philosophy in 2021 from De La Salle University Manila. Ordained on June 29, 2013, Fr. Faiq has served in various formative roles, including Prefect of Discipline and School Principal (2013–2019) of the Oblates of St. Joseph Minor Seminary, and later as Rector and Dean of Studies of the College Seminary (2019–2022). In 2022, he was elected to the Provincial Council of the Oblates of St. Joseph.
Since 2020, he has also served as Managing Editor of Salitanglaw, a daily Gospel reflection series co-published with Claretian Communications Foundation Inc. Fr. Faiq continues to dedicate his ministry to formation, education, and spiritual reflection, embodying the charism of St. Joseph in service and humility.
Sr. Marjorie J. Guingona is a Filipina missionary whose life has been dedicated to service across cultures and continents. Born in Butuan City, she later moved to Manila, where she earned her AB in Behavioral Science from the University of Santo Tomas. She began her career teaching at Claret School of Quezon City before joining the Sisters of the Guardian Angel in Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur. Her missionary journey has taken her to diverse communities in California, Mexico, and Nicaragua, where she offered spiritual accompaniment and pastoral care. In 2020, she returned to the Subanen community in Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur, the place where her vocation was first nurtured.
Sr. Marjorie holds two master's degrees: one in Religious Education from De La Salle University and another in Pastoral Ministry, with a major in Spirituality and Retreat Giving, from the Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University. She is the author of four books—A Tiny Sparkle, Colors of the Soul, La Danza de las Mariposas, and The Greening of the Heart—which embody her deep commitment to faith, intercultural dialogue, creation spirituality, and ecological conversion.