THE DIVINITY SCHOOL

Silliman University
Dumaguete City

INTRODUCTION

It has been the tradition of the office of the SUDS dean to give an updated report during the Church
Workers convocation. However, last year, aside from the updates that I presented , our office also
distributed a comprehensive report to the conferences. This is also the reason why I am happy when you
invited me and the faculty members of SUDS during your annual conferences because we can also have
the opportunity to inform and bring to you the different concerns of this seminary.

First of all, I feel honored to be appointed as the Dean of the Divinity School. I welcomed and
accepted the responsibility with great anticipation. I am thankful to serve as the dean of this
UCCP theological training center, which is known to produce not only the brightest theologians
of the church but also ministers who remain committed to their ministry. To be the dean of this
seminary is not an easy task. However, because I take this office as part of my calling, I find joy
and sense of fulfillment in the face of so many challenges embedded in this calling.

Many things had happened and changed in this theological education center. Let me share to you
the successes, joys, failures, pains, challenges, hopes and plans of SUDS.

THE SUDS

This seminary remains to be faithful to the UCCP! 98% of the faculty are members of the UCCP
belonging to the different churches and conferences on a special assignment status. This is
because we need qualified teachers in this seminary. Biblically, we have different tasks to do in
the church. Some of us are pastors, preachers, teachers, counselors and others in order to serve
the ministry of the Church and the Body of Christ.

This SUDS has already stood the test of time. Sometimes we have many enrollees sometimes
only a handful. The SUDS continues to serve the church because of the churches and people who
believe in what the Divinity School is doing. The Silliman University as a whole also continues
to support this seminary even if it is not an earning college but because this is what synthesizes
the very existence of the University being a Christian Institution built by the Presbyterian
Missionaries and the Congregationalist. The University continues to provide for this seminary in
all aspects. Aside from this, the alumni who love this seminary are also helping in their own
capacity. Local and international partners and individuals, benefactors and sponsors never fail to
believe what SUDS is doing, hence, they never falter to give their financial help. The local
churches and conferences also show their support by sending their students here and providing
for the needs of their students while being here in the seminary.

The SUDS needs to face the different challenges thrown at her by some of the local churches and
conferences especially on why they do not send their students here.

First, SUDS is MAHAL- EXPENSIVE- Indeed it is. We are under a university and we also
provide the students a quality and holistic education. However, let us not forget that all students
who are endorsed by their local church are not only receiving the 50% percent subsidy for their
tuition, board and lodging from the University but also the scholarship given by the benefactors
and sponsors. Almost 99% of our students are enjoying scholarships. Based on our records and
experiences most of our students are already given a 100% free tuition fee. What the students
need to pay is the half of the board and lodging. In our agreement this has to be paid by their
family, the sending local church and the conference. Students who also are working in the
cafeteria also get free payment for board. Those who excel academically are also able to get a
scholarship. Those who are working in the library are also given incentives. In fact, some of our
students are able to send money to their parents or family. The problem comes when the family,
the local church and the conference do not give their counterpart as they promised.

Second MAHIRAP, DIFFICULT- Indeed it is. Some churches would not send students here
especially if in their judgement the apprentice is not intellectually or academically ready.
However, it is the reason why we have the seminary. The students come here to be trained,
formed and enhanced. The Koinonia does not leave on their own those who are having difficulty
in their studies. We provide enhancement program to our students. What is really important is for
us to have students who are willing to learn, to be formed, trained and nurtured. Above all we
have to send students who are committed in becoming a churchworker.

Third, MATAGAL, LONG-Indeed it is long. We are not a Bible school and our programs are
regular offerings and are recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the
Association of Theological School in South East Asia (ATESEA). Hence what we follow is a
curriculum which passed not only the University requirements but also that of CHED. We have
a curriculum which is a product of different consultations with SUDS students and alumni. All
the degree offerings went through a long process and again are recognized by CHED). So every
degree has a certain required units to accomplish. However, with the implementation of the K-12
System, our BTh will no longer be 6 years but 5 years including internship.

THE SUDS STUDENTS

Our enrolment every year is inconsistent. Sometimes we have many new enrollees yet sometimes
only very few. This year we only have four (4) first-year students, six (6) graduate students, and
one (1) returnee. As a whole we have eighty-two (82) students from BTh, MDiv, MTh and DTh
degree. Most of our doctoral students are coming from Indonesia, Myanmar and Africa. As a whole
ninety, nine percent (99%) of these students are UCCP. Fourteen of them are graduating this March and
ten (10) are on their internship. We thank the local churches and conferences who never doubted the
capacity of the SUDS to train, nurture and form students to become church workers someday. So we
continue to thank God because of the churches and conferences’ interest in sending their ministerial
students to this seminary. Because of this the faculty and staff are more challenged to work hard
especially in intensifying our recruitment program. We also are aggressive in strengthening our
relationships with the local churches, conferences and our partners by accepting any invitation as
speaker or facilitator and also by visiting through bringing our SUDS Cultural group.

This year we have eight students who were awarded as class honors during the All University
Honor Awards Day. They are:

1. Mahalaleel Acha of Bohol Conference Incorporated

2. Joshua Casul of Cebu Conference Incorporated
3. Ronald Cesar of SouthWestern Leyte Conference
4. Jestoni dela Pena of Central Mindanao Area Conference
5. Teodora Dotusme of North Western Samar Conference
6. Janeen May Jaim of District Conference of Northern Zamboanga
7. Jeffrey O. Ramirez Jr. of Lowland Cavite South Manila Conference
8. Ranel Sabanal of North Negros Conference

SUDS SCHOLARSHIPS
All students who are endorsed by the local church can avail the 50% subsidy which the
University is giving, except those who are recipients of other scholarship that gives the students
full free tuition fees like that of Union Church of Manila or Yangco . This 50% subsidy also is
not only for the tuition but the same subsidy is given for the board and lodging of the students.
The SUDS also receives various scholarships coming from various donors, benefactors and
sponsors. We also have endowment funds established by different groups, families and
individuals. All these scholarships are given to the students. Usually the scholarships from our
benefactors are used as full payment of the students’ tuition fees. So upon enrolment we require
the students to submit their budget especially the amount they are receiving from their family,
local churches, conferences and individuals. This is necessary because all scholarships require a
counterpart either from the family, local church or conference. As observed students who receive
a regular support from their family, local church and conference perform better and have less
difficulty unlike those students who are endorsed by the local church but do not receive their
regular support. However, in a situation like this, some students do their best to augment their
expenses or payables by working in the cafeteria and some in the library. So far 99% percent are
supported financially by the University and Divinity School. Our scholarship includes the
subsidized housing facility to our married students. This is our Silliman Divinity School Village
where our married students and their family can stay in a two room cottage for only 1,000 a
month.
Please see the list of the students below and the Scholarship grants they are receiving.

THE SUDS PROGRAMS

1. Bachelor of Theology - a five-year program starting next school year

2. Master of Divinity- a four-year program for those whose first degree is non-
Theology (non-thesis track)
-two-year program for those whose first degree is Theology and is a SUDS graduate
(thesis track)
-three-year program for those whose first degree is Theology but non-SUDS
Graduate
3. Master of Ministerial Studies
Major in Church Leadership
Major in Spiritual Care
4. Bachelor of Theology in Liturgy and Music-for those planning to be ordained as pastors
5. Bachelor of Liturgy and Church Music- not to be ordained but to be Diaconal Minister
 6. Master of Divinity in Liturgy and Music (on hold)
7. Master of Liturgy and Church Music (on the process)
8. Master of Theology (Mission Studies, Theology and Ethics, History, Biblical Studies,
Spiritual Care, Christian Education)

7. Master in Peace (RPSD)

8. Doctor of Theology

- Missiology

-Biblical Studies

-Systematic Theology

-Christian Ethics

This school year 2018-2019 we opened our new doctoral program in Christian Education. This
is in cooperation with the Association of Theological Schools in South East Asia (ATESEA).

Again, all these programs are recognized by Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
and the Association of Theological Schools in South East Asia (ATESEA).

THE TUITION FEES AND BOARD AND LODGING

Per Semester - 35,519.93

Summer – 6,500.00

Internship- 17,618.22

Board and Lodging- 28,900.00

(Note: All of these are covered by the 50% subsidy from the University)

THE FACULTY

MINISTRIES

Rev. Jeaneth Harris-Faller, Th.D. - South Bicol Conference

Rev. Magnolia Nova V. Mendoza, Th.M. - Batangas Asssociate Conference
Rev. Josephat Rweyamamu, Ph.D. - Evangelical Luthern Church in Tanzania
Isabel Dimaya-Vista, M.M. - Negros District Conference
BIBLICAL STUDIES
 Rev. Dennis T. Solon, Th.D. (on leave) - Cebu Conference Inc.
THEOLOGY, HISTORY AND ETHICS
Victor R. Aguilan, Th.D. - Batangas Associate Conference
Muriel Orevillo-Montenegro, Ph.D. - Negros District Conference (on leave)
Rev. Lope B. Robin, Th.D. - Bohol Conference Inc.
THEOLOGICAL LIBRARIAN
Rev. Arnel Z. Faller, M.Div., M.LIS. - Southern Tagalog Conference
FRATERNAL WORKER
Carlton Palm, M.Div. - Presbyterian Church USA
RELIGION AND PEACE STUDIES DEPARTMENT
Lily F. Apura, Th.D. (Religion and Peace Studies Chairperson)
Asst. Prof. Emerenciano E. Guazon, Jr., MDiv.
Asst. Prof. Alma B. Ruiz, M.Div.
Karl James E. Villarmea, Ph.D.
Myraluz V. Waddington, Ph.D. (Peace Studies Coordinator)
ADJUNCT FACULTY

Bishop Erme R. Camba, Th.M. - Negros District Conference

Rev. Noriel C. Capulong, Th.D.- -North East Southern Tagalog Conference
Rev. Everett L. Mendoza, Th.D. - Negros District Conference
Rev. Lucio B. Mutia, Th.D. -District Conf. of Northern Mindanao
Bishop Benito M. Dominguez - Negros District Conference
ON FACULTY DEVELOPMENT

Jean Cuanan-Nalam, M.M. (Doctoral) - Surigao & Dinagat District Conference

Rev. Van Cliburn M. Tibus, Th.M. (Doctoral) - Southern Mindanao District Conference
Rev. Joshuah Macalos De Rosas (MTH) -South Western Leyte Conference

New Center

This year the Silliman University Board of Trustees has approved the new center. This is the
Institute of Mission and Inter-Cultural Studies in Asia. This Institute shall serve as an
academy of learning for scholars who will be trainers of Mission and teaching Missiology in
Asia and throughout the world.

LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS

The Divinity School continues to enter and build its link with the international
organizations and institutions.

a. We are working hand in hand with the different seminaries and South East Asia and Africa.
So we accept students in many other seminaries coming from these places..
b. We continue to link and work in cooperation with PCUSA, UCC USA, UCC-Canada,
UEM. And now we are working to have link and partnership with Pittsburgh Seminary and
 with Austin Seminary in Texas. We also have a Mutual of Understanding with seminaries
like San Fransisco Theological Seminary and Yunsin Seminary in Korea

CONTINUING THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION

The SUDS and its faculty remain to be your partners in terms of continuing theological
education. Hence we steadfastly hold the annual church workers convocation for our alumni as
well as non-alumni. We also make ourselves available for the continuing theological program in
the conference level.

SUDS ALUMNI

We recognize the SUDS alumni as our partner in the endeavors of the seminary. Thankfully,
most of the scholarship benefactors and sponsors come from SUDS graduates. We have different
endowment funds established by our alumni. As we are about to celebrate the SUDS Centennial
Celebration we are and will be working closely with our Alumni here and abroad.

SUDS PLANS

Our focus now is on the SUDS CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION IN 2021. We already decided
on the theme and subthemes for this celebration. Our overall theme is “Towards A Century of
Faithful Service.” For this year, our theme is “Towards an Inclusive Ministry.” And we will
launch the CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 2021 during the CHURCH WORKERS
CONVOCATION this year ( August 2018). However, before this launching, we already had a
KICK-OFF CELEBRATION IN CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY last JULY 28-29, 2018.
SUDS will continue to work hand in hand with UCCP CDO, the conference and our alumni in
the area..

One of the major activities during the centennial celebration is the fund raising campaign for the
scholarship, building, faculty development and many other projects. Again the SUDS is going to
be working with the SUDS alumni here and abroad.

CONCLUSION

The SUDS, through time had remains faithful in serving the whole UCCP by continuously
welcoming, accepting, honing and forming the students that the churches and conferences are
sending us.

The SUDS is more than a seminary and is not simply a place to get a graduate degree. It is a
faith and academic community where young minds come to seek the truth and once they are in,
they find it very hard to leave because of the fellowship it offers. There is always that
meaningful relationship that develops among students and between students and faculty. The
dynamic experiences in the classroom, the learning, the sense of God’s presence in this place—
all combine, make SUDS an enriching educational experience like no other.
The SUDS passion remains and that is to provide holistic theological training through the
different academic and spiritual formation programs in the context of devotion to God and the
need of the local churches and of the nation as a whole. We want to make a difference in the life
of our ministerial students and in the churches where they will be serving and in the lives of the
people in and outside this country.

Thank you for the trust and support for all our efforts in making the SUDS a partner of the
UCCP in sustaining the ministry of our churches!

Rev. Jeaneth H. Faller, Th D.

Dean

6200 Dumaguete City, Philippines

SU Telephone 6002 Loc. 540/541
Email: divinityschool21@yahoo.com