Fr Bienvenido F Nebres, SJ

85^th Commencement Exercise Speaker
Doctor of Education, Honoris Causa

Fr Bienvenido F Nebres SJ, is a visionary who has seamlessly reconciled the seemingly disparate fields of science and religion through his remarkable works.

Fr Ben, as he is fondly called by his colleagues and friends, was born on 15 March 1940, the second among six siblings, in Baguio and grew up in Bacnotan, La Union. His early education took place at Bacnotan Elementary School in their small town, and studied grades 5 and 6 at Christ the King College in San Fernando, La Union. He then entered the Vigan seminary in Ilocos Sur where he was influenced significantly by a nun who was his teacher, and whose stories inspired him to pursue this path. He continued his education at San Jose Seminary, where he completed high school, and later moved to the Sacred Heart Novitiate in Novaliches, Quezon City.

He pursued his academic journey with a focus on classical studies and philosophy, earning his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 1962 and his Master of Arts in Philosophy in 1963 at Berchmans College, a Jesuit institution in Cebu City. Moving to Stanford University in California from 1965 to 1970, he pursued further studies and obtained both a Master of Science and a PhD in Mathematics. His doctoral research centered on “Preservation Theorems and Herbrand Theorems for Infinitary Languages,” culminating in his dissertation in 1970.

“I am a priest. I am a Jesuit and a lot of my life has been in the seminary. But along the way I got very involved in Mathematics. A lot of my world is also in that world. But I always had a great interest in doing something for the poor. So my life moves from Jesuit work, the University, doing mathematics, science and technology for the country and in Southeast Asia and working with Gawad Kalinga and public schools. But I really believe that poverty is the biggest problem of this country and we will never move forward unless we do something about that.”

His involvement with Gawad Kalinga for more than 20 years now, is anchored on what he believes- that ultimately, walking with and for the poor is the most important thing. “I want the younger generation to know what it means to walk with the poor.” 

His engagement with Gawad Kalinga illustrates his dedication to social change and passion to help disadvantaged individuals. Since 2003, Fr Ben has collaborated with Gawad Kalinga in constructing homes and fostering communities for those in need. Through Ateneo GK, he has overseen the construction of more than 1,000 homes across more than 10 communities, directly sponsoring 30 communities.

Because of this involvement, Fr Ben has maintained a solid relationship with everyone he worked with in the Marawi Siege in 2017. Division Superintendent Anna Zenaida Unte shared, “Fr Ben was a beacon of hope and served as a great inspiration, who showed religion is not a barrier in helping one another. It was a time that Marawi needed help the most.”

Fr Ben’s influence extends well beyond the Jesuit community. As the founding President of the Mathematical Society of the Philippines and a prominent figure in the Southeast Asian Mathematical Society, he played a crucial role in advancing mathematics and science across Southeast Asia. His leadership within a consortium of leading Manila universities also bolstered PhD programs in vital disciplines and facilitated global scientific collaborations.

He played a pivotal role in shaping the academic landscape in the Philippines, particularly through his leadership as the University President of Xavier University from 1990 to 1993 and as the longest-serving University President of Ateneo de Manila from 1993 to 2011. In his three-year stint at XU, he organized the Community Development Committee (CDC) which paved the way to developing the property in Upper Balulang that provided a housing program for its employees.

Beyond the academe, Fr Ben has been a champion of social justice and community engagement. His initiatives have addressed pressing societal issues, advocating for the marginalized and underserved while upholding the principles of compassion and solidarity.

The impact of his work transcends borders, influencing not only the Catholic community but also resonating with individuals from diverse backgrounds who are inspired by his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to a more enlightened and inclusive society.

Fr Bienvenido Nebres SJ embodies the essence of an outstanding priest not only through his spiritual guidance but also through his profound intellectual contributions, social advocacy, and transformative leadership in the Philippines and beyond

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In sincere recognition of his outstanding contributions to the fields of mathematics, science, education, and social reform which have made a lasting impact on the academic, scientific, and social landscape of the Philippines. Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan is pleased and deeply honored to bestow upon Fr Bienvenido F Nebres, SJ, the esteemed speaker of the 85^th Commencement Exercises, the prestigious degree of Doctor of Education, Honoris Causa.