A couple of weeks ago, I signed up for a free course at UA&P titled WHOLLY HUMAN: Integral Anthropology. Without knowing much about the course, I was intrigued by its title, which ultimately prompted me to enroll.

Today, I attended the first session of this three-part series, facilitated by Dr. Celing Tiongco, a long-time professor at the university. The class was attended mostly by members of Dr. Tiongco’s prayer circle and other professors, including the esteemed Professor Emeritus Dr. Paul Dumol.

The course explores Integral Anthropology, which integrates philosophical and theological anthropology with empirical findings from disciplines like biology, economics, psychology, and neuroscience, etc. . Its practical goal is to offer a holistic understanding of the human person by drawing insights from various perspectives rather than relying on a single discipline.

One of the central discussions focused on humanity’s trajectory:

1. Existence – Man’s origin .
2. Humanization – Learning and becoming truly human.
3. Flourishing – Living well in all aspects of life.
4. Final Destiny – Which, depending on one’s beliefs, is either nothingness or, for Christians, salvation.

A key takeaway for me is the way this course reframes the fundamental questions we collectively ask about life: Who are we? Why do we exist? What is our purpose? What guides our morality? All these questions converge into one profound inquiry: What is the whole truth about man?

Another important insight is recognizing that humans exist in a tension between good and bad, possessing the freedom to choose. While this seems obvious, it contrasts sharply with today’s culture, where “authenticity” often equates to embracing raw, unrefined impulses—our untamed, animalistic selves.

The session also highlighted a deeply resonant truth: man is broken by nature. This brokenness creates a sense of emptiness, which we often attempt to fill with desires and longings. Interestingly, the professor shared a study indicating that this emptiness is universal, affecting both those with and without mental health issues. This brought to mind the timeless words of St. Augustine:

“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

I am looking forward to the next session. For now, we have been assigned some thought-provoking questions to prepare for our upcoming discussions.