| Romulo “Rodor” F. Magsino, Ph.D. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Education of the University of Manitoba The Pride of the Filipino People |
Dr. Romulo Magsino was born on New Year’s day in Lucena City,
the Philippines. Starting his schooling in local public schools, he
pursued his studies at the Manuel S. Enverga University
Foundation (then Luzonian University), in Lucena City. A student
leader and consistent scholar, he was elected president of the
supreme student council and other student organizations, and
served as Grand Monarch of the honor society of the Lambda
Kappa Phi. Having written and published a number of stories and
poems, he was appointed associate editor of the school paper,
as well as member of the editorial staff of the university yearbook
in his graduation year. His accomplishments during his college
years include winning the gold medal at the annual university
debate, the Scholar of the Year Award, the Student Leader of the
Year Award, and the ROTC Honor Stars. After obtaining his
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Education degrees
(both Magna cum laude), he studied at the Ateneo de Manila
University where he was a straight A student. Just before starting
his thesis for the master’s degree, he won a fellowship award for
graduate studies in Australia, where he subsequently obtained
his master’s degree in education from the University of Sydney.
the Philippines. Starting his schooling in local public schools, he
pursued his studies at the Manuel S. Enverga University
Foundation (then Luzonian University), in Lucena City. A student
leader and consistent scholar, he was elected president of the
supreme student council and other student organizations, and
served as Grand Monarch of the honor society of the Lambda
Kappa Phi. Having written and published a number of stories and
poems, he was appointed associate editor of the school paper,
as well as member of the editorial staff of the university yearbook
in his graduation year. His accomplishments during his college
years include winning the gold medal at the annual university
debate, the Scholar of the Year Award, the Student Leader of the
Year Award, and the ROTC Honor Stars. After obtaining his
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Education degrees
(both Magna cum laude), he studied at the Ateneo de Manila
University where he was a straight A student. Just before starting
his thesis for the master’s degree, he won a fellowship award for
graduate studies in Australia, where he subsequently obtained
his master’s degree in education from the University of Sydney.
Upon his return home, he was appointed Administrative Secretary of the Faculty of Arts at Luzonian University
and also taught as a college instructor. In the meantime, he married Leah Enverga, who was also teaching
in the same university. Not long afterwards, he again won a fellowship award, this time to study at the
University of Wisconsin, in Madison, U.S.A. There he received another master’s degree in educational policy
studies, as well as the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Starting his North American career as Assistant Professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland, in the
capital city of St. John’s, in 1972, he became Associate Professor in 1977 and Full Professor in 1984. Aside
from engaging in an active program of teaching and research, he also served as chair of several important
faculty and university committees. Moving to the University of Manitoba, in Winnipeg, he received an
appointment as Head of the Department of Educational Administration and Foundations from 1988 to 1996.
As Head he successfully developed a closely knit Department, led the completion of the departmental
program development started earlier, and initiated new/revised programs in adult education and post-
secondary education. From 1995 to 1996 he was concurrently Head of the Department of Educational
Psychology. Nominated for deanship by his colleagues, Dr. Magsino went through a vigorous selection
process and was offered the position of Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba in
1996. Upon his appointment he became the only visible minority dean of faculty at this University and the only
Filipino dean of education, and the only Filipino dean in any academic faculty, for that matter, in a major
university in Canada.
As Dean of Education, Dr. Magsino has embarked, with assistance from Central Administration, on a
program of hiring to strengthen the Faculty’s cadre of academic members. He has also vigorously pursued,
among others, the completion of a new Bachelor of Education program, the review of the Faculty’s graduate
programs, the reorganization of the Faculty, and collaborative work within and outside the Faculty.
A prolific researcher and writer, Dr. Magsino has authored and edited several research monographs and
books, the latest being Teachers in Trouble: An Exploration of the Normative Character of Teaching,
published late in 1997. He has also written about 60 articles published in Canadian and American journals
and books and presented numerous papers at conferences, seminars, and workshops in Canada and
abroad. His writings, which demonstrate his expertise and scholarship, have brought him national and
international recognition. Thus, he has been invited to teach at various universities, including the University of
Wisconsin-Madison and Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia. He has also been invited to
speak and lecture in England, the United Stated, the Philippines, and other parts of Canada; elected
President of the Canadian Philosophy of Education Society for 1988-1990; invited to serve as assessor of
applications for tenure and promotion to full professorships in other universities, to evaluate applications for
grants awarded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, and to externally
examine Ph.D. and Master’s theses written at the University of Manitoba and in other universities across the
country. He has been appointed member of the Board of Editors, Education and Law Journal and member of
the National Joint Advisory committee on the Code of Fair Testing Practices.
Notwithstanding his academic commitments, Dr. Magsino has been heavily involved in community activities.
While in Newfoundland, he was president of the Newfoundland Association for Multicultural Education;
president of the Filipino Association of Newfoundland, as well as president of its local chapter in St. John’s;
and regional vice-president of the United Council of Filipino Associations in Canada. After his arrival in
Winnipeg in 1988, he came an advisor to the Philippine Association of Manitoba (P.A.M.) and the Filipino
Association of Filipino Teachers, Inc. (MAFTI). Currently, he remains an advisor of MAFTI, the Quezon Province
Association of Manitoba ( QPAM), and the United Filipino-Canadian Seniors of Manitoba (UFCSM). He has
served on the executive of the annual heritage week celebration committee, and was in the steering
committee for the visit of President Fidel Ramos in 1997. He was elected Commander of the Winnipeg
Chapter of the Order of the Knights of Rizal in 1993, and held the position until 1997. Under his leadership,
this Chapter received the Outstanding Chapter Award at the Knights’ International Assembly in Las Vegas in
1997. Presently, he is president of the Manitoba Association for Multicultural Education (MAME), member of
the Board of Directors of the Canadian Council for Multicultural and Inter-cultural Education (CCMIE), and
Executive Vice-President of the Philippine Foundation of Manitoba. He is also co-chair of the ad hoc
Philippine Cultural Centre Commission, which has been charged by the Filipino community in Manitoba to
plan and develop a new cultural centre. With his interest and expertise in multiculturalism and anti-racist
education, he was appointed member of the City of Winnipeg Race Relations committee on education. He
has also served as keynote speaker or resource person on numerous occasions within and outside the
Filipino community.
Dr. Magsino has received a number of awards both in the Philippines and Canada, including the Most Active
Jaycee Award (Lucena City), the 1991 Outreach Award for his notable programmatic leadership in his
department and for his contribution to the University of Manitoba, the 1992 Most distinguished Alumnus Award
from the Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation, the 1997 Most Outstanding Alumnus Award in the field of
education from the Honor Society of the Lambda Kappa Phi, and the 1982 Mabuhay Award for Outstanding
Filipinos, presented by the United Council of Filipino Associations in Canada. Last May 1998, he was
recipient of the Outstanding Filipino-Canadian Award presented in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Dr. Magsino has three children: Romulo, Jr., now married to Michelle Halipchuk, is working as analyst with
Comcheq and is studying for his master’s degree in business administration; Tricia Lea is doing her
master’s degree in microbiology; and Esther Mabel is in her per-master’s program in history and religion.#
and also taught as a college instructor. In the meantime, he married Leah Enverga, who was also teaching
in the same university. Not long afterwards, he again won a fellowship award, this time to study at the
University of Wisconsin, in Madison, U.S.A. There he received another master’s degree in educational policy
studies, as well as the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Starting his North American career as Assistant Professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland, in the
capital city of St. John’s, in 1972, he became Associate Professor in 1977 and Full Professor in 1984. Aside
from engaging in an active program of teaching and research, he also served as chair of several important
faculty and university committees. Moving to the University of Manitoba, in Winnipeg, he received an
appointment as Head of the Department of Educational Administration and Foundations from 1988 to 1996.
As Head he successfully developed a closely knit Department, led the completion of the departmental
program development started earlier, and initiated new/revised programs in adult education and post-
secondary education. From 1995 to 1996 he was concurrently Head of the Department of Educational
Psychology. Nominated for deanship by his colleagues, Dr. Magsino went through a vigorous selection
process and was offered the position of Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba in
1996. Upon his appointment he became the only visible minority dean of faculty at this University and the only
Filipino dean of education, and the only Filipino dean in any academic faculty, for that matter, in a major
university in Canada.
As Dean of Education, Dr. Magsino has embarked, with assistance from Central Administration, on a
program of hiring to strengthen the Faculty’s cadre of academic members. He has also vigorously pursued,
among others, the completion of a new Bachelor of Education program, the review of the Faculty’s graduate
programs, the reorganization of the Faculty, and collaborative work within and outside the Faculty.
A prolific researcher and writer, Dr. Magsino has authored and edited several research monographs and
books, the latest being Teachers in Trouble: An Exploration of the Normative Character of Teaching,
published late in 1997. He has also written about 60 articles published in Canadian and American journals
and books and presented numerous papers at conferences, seminars, and workshops in Canada and
abroad. His writings, which demonstrate his expertise and scholarship, have brought him national and
international recognition. Thus, he has been invited to teach at various universities, including the University of
Wisconsin-Madison and Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia. He has also been invited to
speak and lecture in England, the United Stated, the Philippines, and other parts of Canada; elected
President of the Canadian Philosophy of Education Society for 1988-1990; invited to serve as assessor of
applications for tenure and promotion to full professorships in other universities, to evaluate applications for
grants awarded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, and to externally
examine Ph.D. and Master’s theses written at the University of Manitoba and in other universities across the
country. He has been appointed member of the Board of Editors, Education and Law Journal and member of
the National Joint Advisory committee on the Code of Fair Testing Practices.
Notwithstanding his academic commitments, Dr. Magsino has been heavily involved in community activities.
While in Newfoundland, he was president of the Newfoundland Association for Multicultural Education;
president of the Filipino Association of Newfoundland, as well as president of its local chapter in St. John’s;
and regional vice-president of the United Council of Filipino Associations in Canada. After his arrival in
Winnipeg in 1988, he came an advisor to the Philippine Association of Manitoba (P.A.M.) and the Filipino
Association of Filipino Teachers, Inc. (MAFTI). Currently, he remains an advisor of MAFTI, the Quezon Province
Association of Manitoba ( QPAM), and the United Filipino-Canadian Seniors of Manitoba (UFCSM). He has
served on the executive of the annual heritage week celebration committee, and was in the steering
committee for the visit of President Fidel Ramos in 1997. He was elected Commander of the Winnipeg
Chapter of the Order of the Knights of Rizal in 1993, and held the position until 1997. Under his leadership,
this Chapter received the Outstanding Chapter Award at the Knights’ International Assembly in Las Vegas in
1997. Presently, he is president of the Manitoba Association for Multicultural Education (MAME), member of
the Board of Directors of the Canadian Council for Multicultural and Inter-cultural Education (CCMIE), and
Executive Vice-President of the Philippine Foundation of Manitoba. He is also co-chair of the ad hoc
Philippine Cultural Centre Commission, which has been charged by the Filipino community in Manitoba to
plan and develop a new cultural centre. With his interest and expertise in multiculturalism and anti-racist
education, he was appointed member of the City of Winnipeg Race Relations committee on education. He
has also served as keynote speaker or resource person on numerous occasions within and outside the
Filipino community.
Dr. Magsino has received a number of awards both in the Philippines and Canada, including the Most Active
Jaycee Award (Lucena City), the 1991 Outreach Award for his notable programmatic leadership in his
department and for his contribution to the University of Manitoba, the 1992 Most distinguished Alumnus Award
from the Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation, the 1997 Most Outstanding Alumnus Award in the field of
education from the Honor Society of the Lambda Kappa Phi, and the 1982 Mabuhay Award for Outstanding
Filipinos, presented by the United Council of Filipino Associations in Canada. Last May 1998, he was
recipient of the Outstanding Filipino-Canadian Award presented in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Dr. Magsino has three children: Romulo, Jr., now married to Michelle Halipchuk, is working as analyst with
Comcheq and is studying for his master’s degree in business administration; Tricia Lea is doing her
master’s degree in microbiology; and Esther Mabel is in her per-master’s program in history and religion.#
Washington D.C. Since 1987
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