Fr. Michael G. Layugan, SVD, PhD, SThD
Fr. Michael G. Layugan, SVD, PhD, SThD , is a Catholic priest and member of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), ordained in 1999. Born in Tanudan, Kalinga, he earned both his Doctorate in Philosophy and Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. His academic formation also includes a Licentiate in Ecclesiastical History from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and a master’s degree in Missiology from the Divine Word School of Theology in Tagaytay.
Fr. Layugan specializes in Church history, Philippine and Cordillera history, missiology, cultural anthropology, and archival research. He currently serves as the Provincial Superior of the SVD Philippine Central Province, a former Dean of Studies and Registrar at the Divine Word School of Theology in Tagaytay, and Vice-Provincial of the SVD Philippine Central Province. He has held several key academic and leadership roles, including Rector and President of the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay (2014–2020), and professor at various theological institutions such as Maryhill School of Theology and Divine Word Mission Seminary.
A prolific scholar and author, Fr. Layugan has written extensively on missionary history, indigenous traditions, and the contributions of religious congregations in the Philippines. His most recent works include the books A Path Less Taken: Wilhelm Finnemann (2023) and Wilhelm Finnemann: An SVD Filipino Martyr (2023), which highlight missionary martyrdom and legacy. He also authored the DWST Student Handbook (2022), Fundamentals of Writing: Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (2021), and the biography The Life and Times of an Oblate: George Dion (2020).
His forthcoming articles include “The Third Wave of the Evangelization of the Philippines” and “The Historico-Critical Method as an Approach in Historiography.” Fr. Layugan’s research has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Verbum SVD, Journal of History, MST Review, and DIWA. He is a regular presenter at national and international conferences and is actively involved in editorial and archival work, serving on the editorial boards of Missio Inter Gentes, MST Review, and DIWA: Studies in Philosophy and Theology. His archival research spans Europe and the Philippines, reinforcing his dedication to historical and missionary scholarship.
Fr. Layugan’s professional contributions to Philippine education extend beyond his scholarly publications and administrative roles. Through his years of teaching, curriculum development, and academic leadership, he has shaped generations of seminarians, theologians, and educators. He has played a significant role in promoting contextualized theological education rooted in Philippine history and indigenous cultures. His emphasis on rigorous research and interdisciplinary approaches continues to influence the academic formation of students in both clerical and lay institutions, ensuring that Philippine theological education remains relevant, responsive, and globally engaged.