Laylayan theology and Rough Grounds: Theologies from and by the peripheries

Abstract

This article examines two Filipino contextual theologies – Laylayan Theology and Rough Grounds – as frameworks addressing the realities of the oppressed and marginalised. Rooted in liberation and contextual theology, these models centre theological discourse on the lived experiences of those in society’s peripheries. Daniel F. Pilario’s Rough Grounds critiques traditional theology for exploiting marginalised narratives without granting them agency, and advocates a praxis-oriented approach grounded in ‘real stories on the ground’. Fides A. Del Castillo’s Laylayan Theology empowers marginalised communities to reclaim their voices and articulate their faith, emphasising inclusivity, solidarity and hope. ‘Laylayan’, meaning the fringes of society, reflects a theology by the marginalised rather than about them.
Contribution: Together, these models challenge the Church and theologians to reimagine God’s presence amid struggles for justice and dignity, highlighting the transformative potential of contextual theology to foster liberation and empowerment.