Faculty and Staff

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Maria Mercedes T. Rodrigo, PhD (Head)

Maria Mercedes (Didith) T. Rodrigo is a professor at the Department of Information Systems and Computer Science. Her research interests include learning analytics, artificial intelligence in education, technology in education, and educational games. She is the head of the Ateneo Laboratory for the Learning Sciences and co-lead of the Ateneo Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality Laboratory. Her research work focuses on artificial intelligence in education, learning analytics, and educational games. In collaboration with colleagues and students, Dr. Rodrigo’s publications focus on artificial intelligence in education, learning analytics, and educational games. She serves on the editorial boards of several high-impact journals including Artificial Intelligence in Education, the Internet and Higher Education and Research and Practice in Technology-Enhanced Learning. Dr. Rodrigo is on the Executive Committee of the Artificial Intelligence Education Society. In 2021, Dr. Rodrigo received the Distinguished Researcher Award from the Asia-Pacific Society for Computers in Education (APSCE). She is President of APSCE. Outside of her academic work, she writes books for children. She won the National Children’s Book Award Kids’ Choice Award for Made Perfect in Weakness in 2016. In 2018, she won the 12th Cardinal Sin Catholic Book Awards for Cave Dweller. Her book, Blueplate, won the 2024 National Children’s Book Award Kids’ Choice Award and was a finalist for the Cardinal Sin Catholic Book Awards.

Jessica O. Sugay (Lecturer)

I am a Lecturer in the Department of Information Systems and Computer Science of the Ateneo de Manila University. I serve as the CS-DGDD Program Coordinator and Class Schedule Coordinator for DISCS.

I am also the Moderator of two student organizations, the Computer Society of the Ateneo, and Laro Loyola.

Walfrido David A. Diy (Lecturer)

Walfrido David A. Diy is a lecturer in Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Information Systems and Computer Science. As someone who grew up playing video games, he is interested in all things game-related, from entertainment to education, digital or otherwise. David created the story for Igpaw: Loyola, designed the scenarios for The Mind Museum ARventure and Tuklas: Museo Pambata in AR!, and assisted in writing the script for For People and Planet: An SDG Adventure.

John Michael Santos (Lecturer)

I’m helping in the development of an engine for augmented reality instructional games. I received my B.S. degree in Computer Science at the Ateneo in 2016. I’m interested in games, anything that involves interactive multimedia, and graphic design.

Japheth Duane Samaco (Assistant Instructor)

Roswold Jemuel (Ros) C. Sanchez (Lecturer)

Roswold Jemuel (Ros) C. Sanchez is a lecturer at Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Information Systems and Computer Science. His research interests include creating technology or educational games for those with special needs (the blind, the deaf, etc.) and educational games depicting real-life or social situations. He is currently a 3D environment and game modeler at the Ateneo Laboratory of the Learning Sciences. Outside of research, Ros is an adviser for the game development organization “Laro Loyola” and has an avid interest in games such as tabletop games, deceit games, and computer games of all genres.

Reniel Gabriel R. Manaog (Lecturer)

Reniel Gabriel R. Manaog is a lecturer at Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Information Systems and Computer Science. A creative at heart, his research interests include narratives in games, and character and world design. Outside of research, Gab has a huge love for Card Games, Tabletop Games, and Roleplaying Games both digital and otherwise.

Gerick Jeremiah Niño N. Go (Lecturer)

Gerick Jeremiah Niño N. Go is a lecturer in the Department of Information Systems and Computer Science at Ateneo de Manila University. His research focuses on Mixed Reality applications and game design principles. Beyond academia, he serves as the faculty moderator of Blue Bird Improv, where he actively engages in improvisational theater. In his free time, he practices arnis and enjoys weight training. A passionate gamer, he explores a wide range of board, tabletop, and video games. He also finds creative expression through poetry, writing for personal enjoyment.

Dan Mark D. Restoles (Lecturer)

Dan Mark D. Restoles is a lecturer in the Department of Information Systems and Computer Science at Ateneo de Manila University. He has a huge passion for history and finding innovative ways to teach history to complement existing learning media. His research focus is on Philippine history and designing game mechanics based on historical literature. Outside academia, he creates small database systems and worldbuilding, exploring writing, historiography, and systems. A bulk of his play time is devoted to playing strategy games, historical games, and role-playing games.

Jesus Alvaro C. Pato (Lecturer)

Jesus Alvaro C. Pato is a lecturer in Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Information Systems and Computer Science. Having played many different kinds of games (i.e RPGs, Action-Adventure, Fighting Games, Metroidvanias, Horror, etc.), he is interested in the design of video games and how design choices are made based on the games’ genre. Right now, he is particularly interested in the design of escape rooms both physically and digitally, and how the escape room format can be used in education and entertainment. Outside of academia and playing video games, he spends his time practicing art and music, and the occasional mountain hike.

Julie Marie Santos (Lecturer)

Julia Marie J. Santos is a part-time lecturer at the Department of Information Systems and Computer Science. Her research interests focus on video games’ potential to communicate complex ideas and stories, particularly psychological concepts, queer studies, & social phenomena. Outside of academia, she works as a producer & game designer for a local games studio. In her free time she enjoys playing a variety of games – mainly Tabletop RPGs, mystery games, puzzle games, and roguelikes.

Gaemon C. Espinosa (Lecturer)

Gaemon C. Espinosa is a lecturer in Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Information Systems and Computer Science. Their research interests include video game’s potential to be used to portray the challenges of real life experiences, with the aim of educating players about topics like the experiences of underrepresented groups, and mental illness. They are also interested in deconstructing expected genre tropes in games, and how a better understanding of why they exist can lead to more efficient and focused experiences. In their free time they like to play driving sims, bullet hell games, tabletop RPGs, and arcade rhythm games, as well as practicing art and music and making song covers with friends

Butch Adrian A. Castro (Lecturer)

Butch Adrian A. Castro is a lecturer in Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Information Systems and Computer Science. Alongside his academic work, he is also a web developer at GOLDEN ABC, INC. where he designs, builds, and maintains websites and applications for each of their brands’ e-commerce platform. His interests lie in creating digital experiences and systems that are user-friendly, whether in the form of websites, mobile applications, or video games. When he is not teaching or coding, he is enjoying coffee, going to the gym, exploring the latest tech innovations, or playing video games with friends.

James Alvir Maclin V. Alaan (Lecturer)

James Alvir Maclin V. Alaan is a lecturer in Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Information Systems and Computer Science. As someone who grew up around computers and video games, he is interested in the design and development of all things video games, whether educational or purely for entertainment. During his free time, he mainly plays indie games, management games, and strategy games. Currently, he finds himself interested in horror games and the concept of recreational fear. When not playing games, he spends his time working on personal coding projects or video game projects.

Paolo Santino P. Caoile (Lecturer)

Paolo Santino P. Caoile is a lecturer at Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Information Systems and Computers Science. He has an interest in how video games as a whole can leave a great impact on people through the unique experiences they can bring as their own distinct medium. He is also currently a developer at the Ateneo Laboratory of the Learning Sciences. Outside of academia, he enjoys playing video games, practicing his musical skills and weight training.

Dominique Manahan

Dominique Manahan is a researcher for the Ateneo Laboratory for the Learning Sciences, and was a former Teach for the Philippines teacher fellow assigned to Kamuning Elementary School for two school years. She has been involved in managing education and business-related programs and projects in the corporate, government and academe settings.

Kenneth King Ko

I am a programmer under the Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality (VAMR) Project, handling and working on the inventory system subcomponent used in Virtual Reality (VR) games. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Ateneo in 2022 and currently taking up my Master’s Degree in the same university. I am interested in further exploring VR, especially in its use in games and immersion.

Miguel Zenon Nicanor L. Saavedra, MS (Lecturer)

Rose Madjos (Admin Staff)

Francisco Amante (Assistant Instructor)