Antonio M. Pernia, S.V.D.

Antonio M. Pernia, S.V.D., holds licentiate and doctorate degrees in Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and a master’s degree in Philosophy from the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay, Philippines. He taught philosophy and theology at the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay and at the Regional Major Seminary in Davao, Philippines, was Provincial Superior of the Society of the Divine Word Philippines Southern Province (1993–1994), Vice-Superior General of the SVD from 1994 to 2000, and Superior General of the congregation from 2000 to 2012. The Ateneo de Manila University conferred the prestigious Bukas Palad Award—“for clergy and religious men and women in the Philippines who dedicate their lives to God and to the Church and who work unselfishly for the good of their neighbor”—on him in 2008.