The 1988 PSS convention in retrospect

Abstract

The 1986 Convention of the Philippine Sociological Society (PSS) was held despite apprehensions that it would not push through. The most serious apprehension had to do with funds. The P40,000 earmarked by the Society for the convention was reduced in half to meet other financial obligations, and the P75,000 support expected from the Ford Foundation did not materialize. Fortunately, the Asia Foundation came to rescue and committed P35,000 to bail the Society out, but none of the money came until the afternoon of the first convention day. The Convention Committee at Central Philippine University (CPU) had to raise P15,000 on their own to settle the necessary arrangements. Owing to these difficulties, the 1986 PSS Convention was held on April 9 and 10 of the following year, 1987. As Dr. Luis Lacar, PSS President, remarked in his opening speech, "Holding this conference is actually an act of extreme faith."