Relationships in PACERS 31st Annual Convention

Because we realize that as Filipinos, we value relationships and even consider being related as something essential to our being and mental health, and also because in our Counseling experience, concerns usually may have relationships affecting the client in the counseling sessions either before (as causes or disturbances), during (as mediators and supports) and after (as indicators of counseling outcome), the PACERS or Philippine Association for Counselor Education, Research & Supervision chose for its 31st Annual Convention the theme " Relationships at Risk: Issues & Interventions."

Our Keynote Speaker was someone who helped us understand the philosophical and sociological significance of relationships: Dr. Florentino Timbreza who currently is full professor of Philosophy at the De La Salle University and also at Christ the King Seminary. He has also been recently awarded Father of Filipino Philosophy. Dr. Timbreza's Keynote Address has been published in this blog "Counseling Psychology in the Philippines" which you can access below, just scroll down. His insightful speech has definitely inspired the participants to learn to treat counselees as "ends" and not just "means. The scheduled panel discussions for the afternoon and morning of the next day came. The Philippine Journal of Counseling Psychology (PJCP) Vol. 9 was also released that afternoon. PACERS members get each a copy, while those interested to purchase a copy may contact us at (02) 5360226 c/o Dr. Susan Estanislao, our Managing Editor.
Three panel discussions were made on Relationships at Home, in the Corporate World, and in School Organizations: Issues & Interventions. Drs. Honey Carandang and Dido Villasor shared on their expertise on families in the Philippine context, the couple dyad, sibling and extended family relationships. Drs. Romy Suarez of Central Bank & Joyce Dy of UAP very well elaborated on the current situation of relationships in the Corporate setting, while the triumvirate of Drs. Conchita Umali of Assumption College, Makati, Elizabeth Enriquez of UP, and Barbara Wong-Fernandez of DLSU delved on the relationships in school organizations. The discussions on relationships in these three areas showed the vulnerability of relationships and the persons involved.

In the second afternoon, paper and poster presentations were held. 8 poster presentations gave the participants the chance to interact with their author-researchers. One Board Member of PACERS brought and showed his film documentary of the Reming experience in the Bicol region, and has made the participants reminded of our role in such disasters and calamities. Three rooms were filled by six paper presentations which altogether even highlighted the situation of relationships in the family, in the school and in the corporate setting.

On the third day, three workshops were held concurrently. This year, participants were able to attend two of these three workshops since each workshop run for four hours, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Dr. Lucille Montes facilitated the workshop on Approaches to Specific Marital Conflicts. Ms. Daisy Sanchez of the Central Bank had Counseling in the Workplace: Enhancing Wellness among employees. Dr. Flora Calleja shared on her expertise on Interventions for Victims of Parental Verbal Abuse: Practical Guidelines for School Counselors .

One highlight of this year's Convention was the election of the new Board for the year 2007-2008. Here are the elected Board of Directors:

Chair: Dr. Julian Montano
Vice-Chair: Dr. Susan Estanislao
Corporate Secretary: Dr. Susie Eala
Executive Council:
President: Fr. Bernardo R. Collera, SVD
Vice-President: Fr. Francisco Bustamante, SJ
Secretary: Dr. Leo Capeding
Treasurer: Ms. Liza Suarez
Auditor: Dr. Ruffy Ramos III
Member: Dr. Benny Lascano.

This new Board will take effect starting May 3-5, 2007 when they hold their Planning Meeting. We hope to continue pursuing our vision of promoting the development and practice of the Counseling Psychology profession in the Philippines.