The Theology and Ministry Program of the School of Humanities invites you to the oral defense of the M.A. Thesis entitled “FROM DIRTY WORK TO GOOD WORK: A Catholic Business Leader’s Perspective on Transforming the Social Construct of Dirty Work to Humanizing Work” by ANDREA CLAUDIA Z. LORENZANA on 12 February 2026, Thursday, 3:00-4:30 p.m. at the Tipanan ni San Ignacio, DLC 201, 2/F Dela Costa Bldg., Loyola School of Theology. The Board of Examiners is composed of Stephanie Ann Puen, Ph.D. (Adviser), Fr. Peter Pojol, S.J., S.T.D. (Second Reader/Principal Examiner), Fr. Francis Alvarez, S.J., S.T.L., Ph.D., and Fr. Hartono Budi, S.J., Th.D. The defense is being held in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Theological Studies with a field of specialization in Systematic Theology. It is open to the public.
Abstract: In December 2024, the Philippine employment rate exceeded 95%, yet 57% of Filipinos still considered themselves poor. High employment conceals the prevalence of “bad jobs” marked by low wages, informality, and social stigma—what sociologist Everett Hughes termed dirty work—labor society deems disgusting, degrading, and/or immoral. This thesis examines dirty work through the lens of the Catholic business leader seeking an integrated life of faith and stewardship guided by Catholic Social Teaching (CST). It asks: How does dirty work evolve into dehumanization? Which CST principles respond to it? And how can these guide Filipino business leaders toward humanizing work?
This thesis explores CST’s countercultural vision rooted in the imago Dei, expressed through three principles: the Dignity of Work (addressing objectification through just wages and rest), Solidarity (healing exclusion through community), and Subsidiarity (restoring autonomy through participation). A case study of a Philippine company demonstrates how these values can be embodied in business, transforming stigmatized work into humanizing work.
