School Year: 2022 – 2023
Mrs. Carolyn Santiago, the guidance counselor for FEUR Rodriguez’s Junior Highschool Department, gave the event participants a warm welcome and words of appreciation. Ms. Karen P. Aguirre proceeded with explaining the objectives of every activity. She mentioned that each webinar was hosted by well-versed individuals and FEUR Alumni, who will impart understanding about individuality, mental health, and success.
The Empowerment Wall, dubbed the “E-Wall,” was also introduced along with the opening ceremony. The E-Wall is a freedom wall where students can write their words of empowerment for themselves and their fellow Tamaraws. One of the participants, Ms. Sophia Servito, said: “writing these words was liberating.” All people have their problems, so writing on the wall could serve as an encouragement to herself and other students that they can win over their troubles.
The participants were the first ones to write entries on the E-Wall. Some placed a single meaningful note, but some participants enthusiastically wrote many notes on the wall.
Mrs. Santiago and Ms. Aguirre read a few notes aloud and appreciated the entries. In the blink of an eye, the E-Wall was filled with inspiring and empowering words from Tamaraws.
Local and offshore students from Grades 5 to 12 flocked to attend the seminar on Understanding Anxiety and Depression later in the afternoon. Resource Speaker Pastor Gene J. Estrabon III shared his expertise in mental health to help the students better understand depression and anxiety, their underlying causes, symptoms, and treatment.
The seminar touched on the relevance and prevalence of mental health issues and how vital it is to realize the seriousness of the problem. The opportunity to engage in an open forum discussion arose near the end of the seminar.
“You don’t have to suffer alone,” Pastor Gene emphasized, advising those struggling to refrain from bottling up their feelings and, instead, reach out to someone.
Art and music therapy sessions and a gender awareness and sensitivity online seminar were what the Guidance Fair had in store for the second day.
The art therapy started at 10:45 a.m. sharp in Learning Hub 2 with registered local students as participants. This therapy aims to help students cope with their everyday problems and situations through art. Ms. Carolyn B. Santiago facilitated the activity and asked students to draw whatever they felt.
The music therapy happening concurrently at the Maxhub was attended by registered local students. With the young generation being “into music” and considered a “universal language,” the Guidance Office created this therapy with Ms. Donna Mae San Pascual as the facilitator. The students chose three songs that best expressed themselves. Afterward, related questions were asked and answered.
The second seminar revolving around gender awareness and sensitivity was timely as it is currently Women’s Month. The webinar provided reliable and accessible information to understand gender better and increase awareness of prevalent gender issues. Gender issues permit and sink into our lives, and these gender roles have specific implications for the lives of men and women.
Ms. Renifer Rebello-Francisco, the resource speaker, cleared up common misconceptions on different terms vital in gender discussions. She tackled the laws currently implemented protecting women, and addressed several gender issues in our society, such as discriminatory language and violence against women. Ms. Rebello-Francisco advised the academic institution to take proper initiatives and interventions to undermine these problems.
To emphasize the theme “Achieving Starts with Believing,” the Guidance Fair included a Career Dress-up Day. On the final day of the fair, March 3, 2023, students can be seen wearing the proper attire for their dream profession. Some students wore engineer hard hats and pilot uniforms. Most of them dressed up in lab coats to represent scientists or doctors.
One of the therapy sessions to conclude the Guidance Fair 2023 was yoga therapy. Along with the guidance office and the guidance club members, students relaxed physically and mentally through yoga. Ms. Aguirre emphasized the importance and benefits of yoga and stretching to improve our well-being.
The cinema therapy began at 10:45 a.m. in Learning Hub 2. The Guidance Office created this therapy with young students in mind and played a gripping film titled “Inside Out.” Youths may relate to the many emotional situations & changes in the protagonist’s life, along with how she deals with them. A lesson the viewers may learn after reflecting on these scenes is that it is better to process whatever uncomfortable feelings we have stored inside so that we can heal.
A final webinar marked the close of the Guidance Fair event, this time regarding College and Career Readiness. The first speaker, Dr. Alvin De Guzman, enlightened the viewers about the realities and unique issues veterinarians face, making his years of experience in the field evident. He concluded the discussion by advising students to follow their hearts and take the course that they are genuinely passionate about. Since learning does not end once you graduate, you must continue to be diligent with your studies. You must memorize, synthesize, and understand the information well, especially if you plan to be in the medical field. Finally, do whatever makes you happy!
The bubbly personality of the second speaker, Ms. Rola P. Ombao, shone through when she enthusiastically spoke about her budding career, expressing to the viewers that, unlike Dr. De Guzman, she never even decided on the course she wanted to take. Someone from her university offered her to become an instructor after she graduated, and she finally found her true passion: teaching. Viewers were surprised to learn that her career path went full circle: from being an educator to an advocacy officer and currently to an officer in charge of helping educators.
Her presentation emphasized the significance of being flexible and utilizing all your skills throughout her work. Recognize your strengths and weaknesses: optimize your talents and turn your limitations into strengths. As she mentioned, many people find it challenging to choose a course they want to take with all the available opportunities. Even after graduating from college, finding that one career you want to stick with in the end is still challenging. Thus, we should continue to have an open mind and explore our choices.
Inspiring, motivating, and invigorating were three words to describe the three-day event. The Guidance Fair served as a breather for the Tamaraws, allowing them to take a break from schoolwork, recharge themselves, and give them a moment to take care of their mental health. The various activities rekindled the passion in their hearts and provided enjoyment to those attending the event.
Fellow Tamaraws, remember that you can achieve anything if you believe you can!
