Dr. Ricardo G. Abad

Dr. Ricardo G. Abad is well-regarded in both the erudite spaces of the Philippine academe and the creative world of the theatre. After receiving an education under the Ateneo de Manila school system— elementary, high school and university—he pursued his doctorate degree in Sociology at Fordham University in New York as a Fulbright Scholar in 1975.

Upon his return to the Philippines, Dr. Abad embarked on an academic career, joining the Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Sociology and Anthropology (DSA) and the Institute of Philippine Culture (IPC), where he later took leadership positions. Dr. Abad’s inspired teaching techniques made him popular among students and earned him two awards: Association of Parents of Ateneo College Students’ Most Outstanding Senior Lay Teacher Award in 1993, and Metrobank Foundation’s Most Outstanding Teacher Award in 2001.

Following his passion for the performing arts, Dr. Abad also became involved in Teatro Pilipino of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and several other theater companies. The University, recognizing Dr. Abad’s artistic talents, also appointed him Moderator and Artistic Director of Tanghalang Ateneo, a position he holds to this day. Dr. Abad also facilitated the establishment of the University’s Fine Arts program and served as its first director. He currently serves as Theater Arts Coordinator of the program.

Dr. Abad is also a prolific researcher, writer and editor. He is one of the first scholars to carry out research on internal migration in the Philippines as well as Filipino immigrants in the US. He has served as editor of the Philippine Sociological Review, associate editor of Philippine Studies, and editor of the social science edition of the Loyola Schools Review. In addition, he continues to produce essays on various aspects of theater and performance.