By Mikee Natinga Norico
Dr. Mary Grace Labis, Faculty and Family Wellness Coordinator of the CPU College of Theology, serves as one of the five distinguished lecturers at the 2025 Conference for Women: ĢƵRecovering WomenĢƵs Voices (Scriptures, Traditions, Culture, and Ministries)ĢƵ held on September 23ĢƵ24, 2025 at the YWCA Hotel, Bangkok. Photo courtesy of the Association for Theological Education in Southeast Asia Facebook page.
ĢƵ (CPU) takes pride in the participation of Dr. Mary Grace Labis, Faculty and Family Wellness Coordinator of the CPU College of Theology, who served as one of the five lecturers at the 2025 Conference for Women held on September 23ĢƵ24, 2025, at the YWCA Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.
With the theme ĢƵRecovering WomenĢƵs Voices (Scriptures, Traditions, Culture, and Ministries),ĢƵ the conference gathered Asian women educators and women in ministry to reflect on the continued marginalization of women in churches, communities, and even theological schools across Asia. Organized by the Association for Theological Education in Southeast Asia (ATESEA), the gathering created a platform for womenĢƵs wisdom, expertise, and experiences to be heard, valued, and recognized.
Dr. Labis, representing CPU, tackled the theme of ĢƵThe Filipino Women Amidst the Challenges of the Family in the Post-Modern World.ĢƵ Her lecture focused on family life in the context of post-modern society, addressing the realities Filipino women face in balancing familial expectations, societal roles, and faith-based responsibilities. She highlighted how women, as pillars of the family, continue to navigate shifting cultural norms while affirming their voice and identity in both home and church settings.
Dr. Mary Grace Labis, Faculty and Family Wellness Coordinator of the CPU College of Theology (seated 2nd from R, front), gathers for a group photo with the attendees of the 2025 Conference for Women: ĢƵRecovering WomenĢƵs Voices (Scriptures, Traditions, Culture, and Ministries)ĢƵ held on September 23ĢƵ24, 2025, at the YWCA Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand, along with other participants attending online.
Joining her as resource speakers were:
- Hope Antone, Program Director of Faculty Development at the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia (UBCHEA), who discussed feminist theologizing in Asia;
- Montira Junnawatt, Faculty of Church History at the Bangkok Institute of Theology, who presented on women and the Bible;
- Judy Berinai, Dean of Studies at Sabah Theological Seminary in Malaysia, who spoke on the challenges of indigenous women in ministry; and
- Ester P. Widiasih, Lecturer and Spiritual Formator at Jakarta Theological Seminary in Indonesia, who discussed reclaiming womenĢƵs voices in culture and tradition.
The two-day conference provided a venue for dialogue, reflection, and networking, with women leaders and educators across Asia identifying challenges, sharing theological insights, and envisioning stronger roles for women in education, ministry, and community transformation.
By engaging in conversations on Scripture, tradition, culture, family, and ministry, the conference reaffirmed ATESEAĢƵs advocacy to encourage, empower, and amplify the voices of Asian women in theology and beyond.
Dr. LabisĢƵ presence and contribution not only amplified the voice of Filipino women in the global theological community but also strengthened CPUĢƵs commitment to advancing inclusive education and ministry that recognizes the vital role of women in shaping both faith and family life.