Tiger Woods and Couples Therapy: A Video Review for Ethics in Counseling

Most of us know what has been recently reported about the world's leading athlete. In pursuit of understanding their situation, it is normal for press people to dig as deep as they can. This is sometimes thought of as "sensationalizing" the matter.

In the video that I just watched tonight (it's 8PM Philippine time Dec. 6, 2009), a couples therapist is shown talking about "couples therapy." As she talks on the topic, particularly on the issues and concerns involved in couples therapy sessions, pictures of Tiger Woods and his wife were posed throughout the said video, as if to hint that the couples therapist is expressly talking about the said couple. I rewinded the video and re-listened to the therapist, but NOWHERE in this segment of the video did the lady therapist particularly identify the currently-under-public-scrutiny-couple as her client.

In fact, upon looking at the title of the article-video "Therapist to Tiger: 'talk it through' with wife", I immediately thought "What? Isn't she supposed to keep things in confidence? Why talk about the said couple's purported therapy in public?" An ethical question, in short. Hence, by rewinding, rewatching and relistening to the video, I searched for any statement from the interviewed couples therapist Dr. Melinda Douglas where she would have explicitly mentioned that the said couple is her client for couples therapy. Thank God, she didn't do that, or else, people will have the right to ask now: "Can my therapist now talk publicly about my problems publicly (with the press at that)?" That would surely compromise the profession of therapy, or Counseling or Guidance and Counseling for that matter.

Hence, go ahead and watch this segment, and tell me if Dr. Douglas ever mentioned Tiger and his wife as her clients. Perhaps, this is a way the unidentified media person used to inform us about couples therapy. He has succeeded in that aspect.

But if you read the following words written under the video:

"Tigers Woods and his wife Elin Nordegren are reportedly undergoing marriage counseling at their home in Orlando. San Francisco-based couples therapist Melissa Douglas describes the difficulties…"

you may be easily led to think that indeed Dr. Douglas said so to Tiger. Linking Dr. Douglas with the couple may lack basis (because of the confidentiality concern). It is the title of the article which purports the relationship. But that is all it wants to: purport. But it failed miserably. It thus becomes a concern for the profession to consider seriously.

Scary, isn't it? All the more it is essential for Guidance Counselors, Counseling Psychologists and everyone entrusted with private matters in counseling sessions to keep in mind the confidentiality matter in our ethical practice. RA9258 Article IV Sec. 28 Right to Privileged Communication for Guidance Counselors specifies that "A Certified or Registered and Licensed Guidance Counselor...cannot without the consent of the client be examined as to any communication or information which has been acquired while attending such client." There you go! Learn to politely say "I'm not in the position to speak about this (privileged) communication" to anyone who would like to lure you (even by the courts, remember) into it.

To continue, the said section further says: "The protection accorded herein shall also extend to the records and secretary or clerk of an Registered and Licensed Guidance Counselor, who may not be examined concerning any fact, the knowledge of which has been acquired in such capacity." With this provision of our RA 9258, we have to ensure that our secretary is made aware of her obligations in the confidential nature of one's work as Guidance Counselor. Records of our clients have to be labeled CONFIDENTIAL to ensure the boundaries are kept.

Look at this: "Any evidence obtained in violation of this provision shall be inadmissible for any purpose in any proceeding." That's the statement under Sec. 24 of the law's Article IV. So, you have the right as a Guidance Counselor to object to any purported evidence dug from your confidential files (usually by foul means or by any other means).

Thus far my thoughts on the confidentiality clause of our practice as Registered and Licensed (though lacking our Certificates as of this writing) Guidance Counselors. God bless and all the best in our practice. Take care always. Read your law and live it!

Tiger Woods and Couples Therapy: A Video Review

We all know what has been reported about the world's leading athlete. In pursuit of understanding their situation, it is normal for press people to dig as deep as they can. This is sometimes thought of as "sensationalizing" the matter.

In the video that I just watched tonight (it's 8PM Philippine time Dec. 6, 2009), a couples therapist talks about "couples therapy." As she talks on the topic, particularly on the issues and concerns involved in couples therapy sessions, pictures of Tiger Woods and his wife were posed throughout the said video, as if to say that the couples therapist is expressly talking about the said couple. I rewinded and re-listened to the therapist, but NOWHERE in this segment of the video did the lady therapist particularly identify the currently-under-public-scrutiny-couple as her client.

In fact, upon looking at the title of the article-video "Therapist to Tiger: 'talk it through' with wife", I immediately thought "What? Isn't she supposed to keep things in confidence? Why talk about the said couple's purported therapy in public?" An ethical question, in short. Hence, by rewinding, rewatching and relistening to the video, I searched for any statement from the interviewed couples therapist Dr. Melinda Douglas where she explicitly mentions she's talking about her couples therapy session with the said couple. Thank God, she didn't do that, or else, people have the right to ask now: "Will my therapist now talk publicly about my problems with the press (at that)?" That would surely compromise the profession of therapy, or Counseling or Guidance and Counseling for that matter.

Hence, go ahead and watch this segment, and tell me if Dr. Douglas ever mentioned Tiger and his wife as her clients. Perhaps, this is a way the unidentified media person used to inform us about couples therapy. He has succeeded in that aspect.

But if you simply read the following words written under the video:

"Tigers Woods and his wife Elin Nordegren are reportedly undergoing marriage counseling at their home in Orlando. San Francisco-based couples therapist Melissa Douglass describes the difficulties…"

you may be easily brought to think that indeed Dr. Douglas said so. Linking Dr. Douglas with the couple may lack basis (because of the confidentiality concern). It is the title of the article which purports the relationship. But that is all it wants to: purport. But it failed.

Scary, isn't it? All the more it is essential for Guidance Counselors, Counseling Psychologists and everyone entrusted with private matters to keep in mind the confidentiality matter in our ethical practice. RA9258 Article IV Sec. 28 Right to Privileged Communication for Guidance Counselors specifies that "A Certified or Registered and Licensed Guidance Counselor...cannot without the consent of the client be examined as to any communication or information which has been acquired while attending such client." There you go! Learn to politely say "I'm not in the position to speak about this privileged communication" to anyone who would like to lure you (even by the courts, remember) into it.

To continue, the said section further says: "The protection accorded herein shall also extend to the records and secretary or clerk of an Registered and Licensed Guidance Counselor, who may not be examined concerning any fact, the knowledge of which has been acquired in such capacity." With this provision of our RA 9258, we have to ensure that our secretary is made aware of her obligations in the confidential nature of one's work as Guidance Counselor. Records of our clients have to be labeled CONFIDENTIAL to ensure the boundaries are kept.

Look at this: "Any evidence obtained in violation of this provision shall be inadmissible for any purpose in any proceeding." That's the statement under Sec. 24 of the law's Article IV. So, you have the right as a Guidance Counselor to object to any purported evidence dug from your confidential files (by foul means of course).

Thus far my thoughts on the confidentiality clause of our practice as Registered and Licensed (though lacking our Certificates as of this writing) Guidance Counselors. God bless and all the best in our practice. Take care always. Read your law and live it!

Reommendation for Cancer Patients

I got this email today, one that provides hope for cancer patients. Hence for those among us who have cancer patients (Attention Counselors working in the hospital setting!), please read this email below and check for yourselves the youtube documentary of Karen Davila. It's kind of hopeful to realize there is a place that provides an alternative in treating cancer. All the best and God bless

Here's the email which a friend forwarded me:

Hi All,

Some of you may know that I spent a week in Fuda Cancer Hospital in Guangzhou , China last August. I stayed at the hospital to be with my cousin, Dayday Joseph-David. She has stage 4 breast cancer which had metastasized to her lungs, brain and hip bone.

Her battle with this disease started six years ago. Traditional chemotherapy and a mastectomy wiped out the tumors and we hoped she had won. She even was blessed with 2 sons. Last year a growth was found in her lungs which was identified as breast cancer cells. Again she went through chemotherapy (with all the nasty side effects). The tumor disappeared, but early this year more tumors appeared in her lungs, brain and hip bone.

After much consideration and investigation, Dayday decided to go for treatment in Fuda Hospital . There she received cryosurgery, direct-to-tumor chemotherapy (my name for it, it might really be called something else) with fewer side effects, tiny radioactive seeds, and immunotherapy. Aside from these most modern of treatments, she also was given traditional Chinese teas and daily acupressure, to help her fight the disease and the side effects of the treatments.

Last month she returned to China for a check up and for immunotherapy and most of the tumors had disappeared. The ones that had not disappeared had shrunk or were like scars (again my non-medical description) .

I am telling you all about this because I was doubtful about a hospital in China . The success of Dayday's treatment helped changed my mind, but my staying there for a week has made me disciple of Fuda. Considering I was in a hospital with only cancer patients, I was filled with hope and trust. The place was very very clean. Many of the doctors were trained abroad, so spoke good English, but there were always translators with the patient during examination or treatment. Everyone, from the girls who cleaned the room, to the nurses, residents, doctors and administration, were so very nice and kind. (Okay, I did get into a disagreement with the take out restaurant across the street about a missing Black Chicken order, but even then the manager of the restaurant came to apologize).

The treatments, the room and the tests were much less expensive than they would be here in Manila . Although many of their treatments are simply not available in Manila .

I am telling you all this because if you know anyone who has cancer. They must consider Fuda Hospital . Even if they decide to go with treatment here and doctors and hospitals here, they have to know that there may be choices that the doctors here are not offering them, cannot offer them.

On Saturday, 5 December 2009, there will be a FREE seminar about Fuda Hospital at the Manila Peninsula from 9 am to 12 nn. Doctors from Fuda Hospital will be there to discuss their Novel Concepts and Treatments for cancer. consultation s will be held after the seminar and the following day Dec. 6. (registration required)

Please contact for reservations (seats are limited)

Office: 809-4453
email: hope.cancer@ gmail.com
sms: +63917.523.5217
http://hopeforthose withcancer. blogspot. com/

Several Filipino patients who had been treated in Fuda will be there to tell their stories, including my cousin, Dayday. (She reserved me a seat but Aldo has a jiu jitsu competition that day. So I can't be there.)

Karen Davila featured this hospital in last week's anniversary presentation of "The Correspondents." Here is a bit of it: http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=YwKBZJTpeRQ featuring Nestor Bonifacio. Nestor is the best person to talk about Fuda. Anyone interested should communicate with him. He loves to tell his story and help people find their way to Fuda.

Nestor B.Bonifacio. P.E.
Tel: 510-710-5921
Fax: 925-244-1204
Email: NBonifacio@pacbell. net

I am not getting any money for sharing this all with you. I am compelled to share because I know we all know someone who is suffering with cancer and suffering from the treatments for cancer. If this message helps just one person have a better quality of life as they live with cancer, then I'd have done a very very good deed.

One last line I remember from the Fuda webpage: Treat the patient, not the disease.

Please forward this to anyone with a family member with cancer.

Tricia
patricia.vergeldedi os@gmail. com

FPCAP 2nd National Convention

Here is an email sent by the Vice-President of FPCAP, inviting us to the new FPCAP website where we can download the Program, invitation letter and other instructions. Please read along and respond.

Dear Members,

Check out our website www.fpcap.org!!!!!!!! You will read about our recent involvement with victims of the recent calamities.
For those who have not indicated attendance at the coming SECOND NATIONAL CONVENTION, you will be able to download the information and forms from the website which was set up by Dr. Pearl Polestico.

Maureen N. Sandejas

FPCAP 2nd National Convention Nov. 19-21, 2009

Herein is an invitation to the 2nd National Convention of the Family and Pastoral Counseling Association of the Philippines (FPCAP), Inc. To access the invitation letter, registration form and other information, please go to their website, one of the links in this blog. www.fpcap.org

Dear Members. Friends, Colleagues and Fellow Pastoral Workers,
It is just two weeks until the FAMILY AND PASTORAL COUNSELLING ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES Second National Convention. We would love to hear that you are attending. I have attached the invitation once again and the pre-registration form for your convenience. We are looking forward to having you with us on November 19-21, 2009. Please contact us at the numbers listed on the invitation and the pre-registration form.
Yours truly,
Maureen N. Sandejas
Program Chairperson

God bless and take care

Day 3 in Baguio: IPCAP Debriefing Training

In our our 3rd and last day of this Debriefing Trip, we had the scheduled training of debriefers. Those who came were Guidance Counselors, licensed and unlicensed, Psychology instructors as well as other personnel in the city that saw the need to be skilled in doing psychological debriefing. Here are some pics.



Dr. Perlie Polestico gave a concise concept of doing Psychological Debriefing, or Psychological 1st-Aid, or defusing the emotional bomb that usually gets formed after a very distressing exposure like landslides. She particularly advocated for more than one debriefing session for the simple reason that victims may not immediately recall everything on its first accounting or debriefing session. And, debriefing may actually be done even beyond the 24-72-hours lapse from the event. Exposure to victims of kidnapping shows the plausibility and even necessity of this possibility for "extension" of the debriefing process. We need not even be so fanatic as to import God immediately into the session. Survivors seem to have a very strong sense of God's presence that mention of Him eventually flows into the debriefing process. And, it is important to be sensitive to cues for counseling referral, so that if we are not professionals, we should be humble enough to refer the survivors to licensed practitioners for ethical reasons.





Aw, yes, did I tell you the outline of the morning's training?

First, Ms. Nila Urrea with her team did the ice-breaking activities. The first was to bond the participants together, followed by Bato-bato-bato-batobatobato exercise that further sparked up the participants. Sayang, we were all engrossed in this ice-breaking we forgot to take pictures.

Then I did the compromise-building portion in order for us to have "meeting-of-minds". In short, we wanted that our training was responsive to the needs of the participants. Swak talaga! What they wanted, we were ready to give: concept of debriefing, the whys and process - parts of the debriefing exercise, practical applications of, and yes the ethical considerations and standards of psychological debriefing. After that followed Dr. Polestico's talk. Then Mr. Cesar Cong gave us the steps in the debriefing of victims.

For the workshop portion, we asked them to group themselves into 5 and map out the steps for debriefing Victims of (a)Landslides, (b) Earthquakes, (c) Fire, (d) Vehicular Accidents, and (e) Floods. Sorry I forgot to take pictures since the presentation of Mr. Cong was so enriching and very informative that I got so engrossed in his talk, as well as the group reporting of applying the steps of debriefing into the 5 stressful events. There are other events which psychological debriefing can be applied to, including kidnapping victims, witnessing neighborhood
violence, not to mention the debriefing of rape and sexual harassment as well as domestic violence. Even victims of volcano eruptions can be clients of debriefing. Wow! Lots of possibilities indeed.

Ms. Urrea brought along some more notes and handouts which Dr. Gandeza immediately made ready. These were more documents to make the debriefing something we can all feel confident in doing because we had this precious training from licensed practitioners.

After the training, we were served lunch, thanks to Dr. Gandeza and the SLU. Mukhang mauulit ata ito. Masarap ang lunch e! And the bonding was great too. We're all together in this profession, then let's all Volt-In.








And to top it all, I bet this would be worth mentioning. In gratitude for the "service" IPCAP provided to the people of the Cordillera Region, RGC Claire Jimenez, Baguio City's 1st Registered Guidance Counselor, sent us for pasalubong potatoes, cabbages, carrots and bananas, including the view to her newborn son, a baby conceived during the days she served IPCAP in its three holding of the 1st National Convention - in UE, Manila, Dumaguete, and Cebu. Don't ask me who the father is because that is very natural for her as a married woman. Thanks a lot Claire, and the people of the Cordillera in Baguio. Hanggang sa muli. God bless and take care

Our IPCAP Debriefing Mission: An Account of Day 2 More Pics

After Lamtang, we were treated by RGC Reynalyn to a sumptuous lunch after which we had our own debriefing. We realized that we came with varying motivations. One of us was a victim of Ondoy in Marikina. She felt so blest by those who helped her rise up after her house was devoured in Provident Village that she sincerely (teary-eyed in fact) realized she can share that blessing by coming along. Some of us just felt the need to reach out. We had one participant whose parents were quite "strict" (read: concerned) that she had to say this was part of her work - which is true! Really, we cannot rest in the thought that we were lucky enough not to be hit so seriously by the typhoons.

I for one realized that one of our Mission statements in the IPCAP papers we submitted to the SEC for registration as an organization of professional counselors led to this outreach/mission. If my rephrasing were right, it was supposed to be this way: IPCAP will serve the needs and interests of the professional members in their practice. Hence, this outreach was meant for those who needed company in their journey of doing professional guidance and counseling in their respective fields, as well providing for them their needs. Debriefing was one of those we felt so strongly about and confident to provide.

After lunch, we headed for La Trinidad, the worst hit of all places in Baguio. We saw the phenomenal landslide that washed down houses. Just look at the pics here and the subsequent ones after this blog entry.










We were all speechless. It was as if our lives were likewise taken away from us. Kalooy gyud sa mga tawo didto, Day. Ipangadye intawon sila nga mahibawo sila magbantay ug ayuhon ilahang libong, magtanum gyud na unta sila didto ug daghan pang mga puno aron di na mausab kining grabeng trahedya gajud. May they rest in peace, those who perished in the dark night of Oct. 8, 2009. Their bodies were brought to a nearby school, the Puguis Elementary School where we were given the chance to do debriefing to the Principal himself. He was simply so candid and open, helping us see for ourselves the need for a better Disaster Management Approach, another Guidance and Counseling advocacy we can spearhead.

Day 2 More Pics Here

Some more to document:



These are two more pictures of the landslide in La Trinidad. God be with us all in our journey of helping rebuild persons and of course nature, never again to be neglectful and abusive that may lead Mother Nature to be vengeful.






These are two pics after the debriefing with the Principal of the school. Just a souvenir photo with him who was so open and candid about his growth-inducing experience. Thanks a lot, Dr. Atew. More power and God be with you.

After the debriefing in Puguis, La Trinidad, we proceeded to visit Dr. Mina at the Benguet State University where debriefing has been done right after the tragic incidents of typhoon Pepeng. After the brief visit to the head of Dr. Mina's department, we headed to their bakeshop where Baguio delicacies were produced and sold. Just look at us, in Chinese Mandarin, we say MAN DZAI ER GWEI (heavily-loaded) after shopping for pasalubong. Or was that a way to de-stress ourselves through shopping?!!!

Some more PICS at the Debriefing of Debriefers in SLU

After the debriefing, we all posed for a souvenir shot. Congratulations everyone!






This was the group of Ms. Christine Acosta of St. Jude Catholic School.










Ms. Techie in action during one of the stages of the debriefing process.









Sincere, warm and unconditional listening is at the heart of the debriefing process. Rene at his best! Talaga naman!

Our IPCAP Debriefing Mission: An Account of Day 2

You have seen the pics of Day 2. Here are some more pics on that very meaningful second day Oct. 30, 2009. Not that the other days were forgettable. This one was simply good because we have seen for ourselves the possibility of debriefing right there onsite and see for ourselves the story come alive in the accounts of those who helped save. Of course we are taught that debriefing has to be done in a safe place. But some of those we debriefed already felt safe to tell their stories right in the place where the stress or trauma happened. This shows their resiliency as well as their willingness to overcome all the odds they went through. This was not the first typhoon they had, but definitely the first landslide that took away their loved ones and once loved.



This was the river in Irisan where many perished. The waters flowing in this picture appear tranquile and harmless. But on the night of Oct. 8-11, the river was a hungry monster devouring land, trees and people. No one was saved save those who were yet to fulfill their mission in life.

We went to an elementary school in Lamtang. This school was supposed to have been published in a newspaper of national circulation. We chanced upon the teachers and the students in their classrooms where we were allowed a simple debriefing, including a dramatization of the children's experience. I blessed them after their debriefing so they will go with peace in their hearts. On our way home, one of the children mentioned to me that he wanted to become a priest when he grows up.



The school sat on a plane overlooking the road below it. But with Pepeng's water aplenty, the land that used to be the place for flag ceremony every morning simply caved in. What was left was about three meters of land, leaving the flag pole standing but also in danger of going down once the land caves in again. Solution? You know it. Hence JUST DO IT!



The teacher-in-charge (TIC) was very welcoming and showed us the extent of the damage. Here she is pointing to the origin of the landslide, at the back of the school where they have a stage for programs. A couple lived in there and rushed to the classrooms as soon as they realized the erosion was getting to be quite a lot, endangering their lives. This school had multi-level classrooms, meaning to say that there are two levels per classroom: Grades 1 & 2 together, 3 & 4 together, and Grades 5 & 6 together, with one teacher per classroom. There is no resident Guidance Counselor in there.





This was on our way back from the school. The children obliged for a souvenir photo with us all. God bless the children.

Our IPCAP Debriefing Mission: An Account of Day 1

Let me account our 1st IPCAP Debriefing Mission in Baguio. This would be Day 1 of that unforgettable exposure. We did this because there was an expressed need there for such an exercise. Thanks to Dr. Lilian Gandeza who led the coordinating work for us to start our mission at Saint Louis University that evening of Oct. 29, 2009. And of course for the generous support of some quarters who would like to remain anonymous. I realize that when a good deed is to be done, many would like to take part even if only through means other than their presence. Thanks to our donors talaga. God bless your generosity.

On board a Nissan van, nine of us plus two drivers went with this trip. Mura lang po ang rent: P3,500 per day sans toll fees and gas. So we had to feed the drivers hehe. Dr. Perlie Polestico of FPCAP had Mr. Rene Arcilla, Joy Dee, Techie Viduya, along with Mr. Cesar Cong of PACC, Christine Acosta of St. Jude Catholic School, Mss. Nila Urrea and Nanette Timbol of UE, and yours truly. We had breakfast at the Petron station in NLEX, then passed through SLEX which for many was their first trip along that beautiful highway. Oh, Joy kept throwing up along the way. But we did not complain. It was the beginning of the debriefing, there in our midst hehe.

By noontime we were in Urdaneta where we ate at KFC after hearing about the story regarding the "featherless" chicken featured in one email I received when I was still having cherubim as my email address.

We had to detour as we reached the early part of the town of Sison. It appeared that the officials came late for the rites to open the Abueg bridge, closed temporarily by the destruction the waters made by the typhoon Pepeng. We went back through Manaoag where the group had a prayerful stopover. From there, we speeded through Kennon Road and saw the amazing waterfalls that dotted the Kennon stretch. We didn't bother to stop by the lion's head since we were in a hurry for the 530PM scheduled Debriefing of Debriefers activity scheduled at the SLU.

We arrived about 4PM at the SVD Retreat House in Sunnyside Baguio. As early as this portion of the account, our sincere gratitude to the SVD Fathers and Brothers who hosted our stay there. After putting down our things in the rooms assigned to us, we headed for SLU. Oh, how many times did we lose our way? But we had quite a group waiting for us: 33 in all. We grouped ourselves with every three of the participants for the debriefing. I for one heard how the Pepeng typhoon brought back among the participants their memories of the 1990 earthquake that shook Baguio (I was in taiwan then studying Theology), an experience participants mentioned as never ever been shared in any debriefing exercise before. We realized how much the need there is among the debriefers, mostly Guidance Counselors, licensed and unlicensed all alike. Hence it was really providential that IPCAP responded to this real need.

We ended about 8PM after which we had a sumptuous supper served us at the Ladies Dorm of SLU. Thanks talaga to SLU. We realized the urgent need for a training in debriefing on our last day, Oct. 31. But that's for another blog to cover.

Here are some pics (looks like I'm limited to 5 pics per blog entry, hence more to follow):


That's Dr. Polestico with her group.





Ms. Nila Urrea and her group.








Ms. Nanette Timbol and her group.









The group I joined. Thanks for the wonderful debriefing. God bless you all.








Oh, this was the opening portion when everyone was in expectancy!

Baguio Pics During our Debriefing Trip

Here are some of the pictures we took along the way during our 1st Debriefing Trip in Baguio last Oct. 29-31, 2009. Pray for the victims and think of what we can do together not simply for them but for our lives as well. God bless




This was the house in Brgy. Irisan (along Naguilian Road) that was washed out by the rampaging mud from the mountain above it. The mud carried bodies of people who were either asleep or trying to fight the surge downwards to the river.



Inside this room were found a mother holding a candle, and a daughter holding in her hand a lighter. They were supposed to light the candle but were slower by a second before the mud took over them and washed them off to the river below their house.






These two pictures show the same house with the mountain above it with its mud flowing down to the street down to the house.



Across the house was a hilly portion where camote was planted, leaving the land bare as in treeless. With so heavy a rainfall, so much volume of water raised the river, eating the base of this mountain. More rain falling on the top, with base eroded, led to the faster erosion of land. Poor creatures indeed.

These we saw on Day 2 of our trip. We were actually scheduled to do debriefing of service providers like the social workers and firemen, but the DSWD was more excited with material goods ("for inventory") than psychological debriefing, hence we changed plans only to be led to this portion of Baguio, thanks to one of our very able and dedicated Registered Guidance Counselor IPCAP Member Reynalyn Padsoyan. We referred to her those whom we saw as needing more in-depth counseling after the debriefing.

Then they requested for prayers. Being the only Catholic priest in the group, I opened my arms and raised a loud prayer to the heavens, asking for forgiveness for our neglect and abuse of the environment. But also very sad at what happened to those who have perished in the dark of the night when the rains fell and eroded the land and houses down tp the river. I begged that the four members of the community who were missing can be found: their bodies if they are dead, and if still alive, may they find generous persons to heal them back to life. One of them had only a girl's leg found, and its identity was determined by the mother who saw her leg.

That night, while having our supper, RGC Reynalyn got a text message saying that the body of Mario Tacloy, the incoming security guard of Irisan National High School was found downstream. We had goosebumps as we ate, realizing that it had been 23 days ago when the event happened. It was only when we were on our way back to Manila last Oct. 31 that RGC Reynalyn further told us that the coffin had to be sealed because only half of the body was found. I couldn't break the news to the rest of the group because we were then having supper in Tarlac. I could only tell them this gruesome truth after the food had settled in our bellies.

This particular portion of the Debriefing Trip made us in IPCAP (at least those of us who were there) think of treeplanting as an advocacy. In case you may know of anybody who has mahogany seedlings, as well as any tree that can grow in highlands and good for holding the land from erosion, let us coordinate our efforts and channel the seedlings to RGC Reynalyn in Irisan, Baguio. The barangay chairman was very sincere about this advocacy and would have wanted it faster before the next heavy rains come. Let us not be afraid to do what is right if only to save Baguio for the next generations.

God bless.

Re: Psychological Debriefing in Baguio

All set we are for the Psychological Debriefing event in Baguio. We leave at 530AM tomorrow Oct. 29, and hope to be back Saturday evening October 31. We will be housed in the SVD Retreat House, Sunnyside Baguio during this event.

This is the set program, in coordination with the group there in Baguio:

Group 1. Debriefing for the Debriefers( October 29) - The SLU group of psychologists and counselors are the debriefers who prefer to be debriefed by the IPCAP team. Debriefers from PMHA Baguio, UP Baguio, Baguio Gen Hospital, BSU might also be there.

Majority of the debriefers are working. With the suspension of work the past weeks, it is difficult for them to be absent for the debriefing. Proposed time to conduct the debriefing/training of counselors, psychologists in the afternoon (5:15p.m) till evening of October 29th. That will give time to rest after a long trip.

Group 2. Debriefing for the Service providers (firemen, social workers and volunteer rescuers). Approximate number is 120. October 30 – 8 a.m.


Group 3. Debriefing for the Victims. Approximate number is 50. October 30 – 1p.m


Group 4. Graduate School Students and Counselors who want to be trained in debriefing. (Tentative schedule is Oct 31 a.m)


This will be quite a schedule, and thanks to the organizers in Baguio. IPCAP will be giving out Certificates of Active Participation to those who have come to give service to our people at this time of great need.

God bless us all, especially the RGCs who have signified their intention to come and serve.

An IPCAP member has forwarded a text from a very important person in the profession: M happy to hear that RGCs r very much needed at the time 2 appease d feelings of those who r victims of the recent calamity. Nice project of IPCAP! Regards n good luck to all! Tca.


You're welcome po. God bless

IPCAP to Do Psychological Debriefing in Baguio, R.O in Botolan

During the October 15, 2009 meeting, the Integrated Professional Counselors Association of the Philippines (IPCAP) Board decided to accept the invitation from Baguio to do Psychological Debriefing sessions with Typhoon Pepeng victims. We leave Manila for Baguio on Oct. 29, 2009 (departure time 530AM, meeting area: St. Jude Archdiocesan Shrine, beside Malacanan Palace). We return to Manila on Oct. 31, 2009 so we can reach home before dark.

In this regard, we are calling on IPCAP members and other registered guidance counselors to volunteer for this event. For more information, you may email berngu721@gmail.com or apspolestico@gmail.com. We have emailed our IPCAP members materials for our use. If you haven't received your copy, you may request via email.

In the same meeting, it was likewise decided that IPCAP will do relief operations in Botolan, Zambales on Nov. 2-3, 2009. Deadline for volunteers is on Oct. 28, 2009. You may email berngu721@gmail.com or elvieramos888@yahoo.com for more information.

See you and God bless

A few things to remember on being prepared

I think this one is worth placing here so that our readers, who I'd like to believe are Guidance Counselors or Counseling Psychologists, may remember and also share to others. Thanks to Dr. Susan Estanislao, my colleague at the Sarnelli Center for Streetchildren, in Baclaran, Paranaque City. It's all about being prepared for the flood, or when dire emergencies come. These may form part of the drills we have: fire drill, earthquake drill, and why not a FLOOD DRILL?

1. "calamity" kits/bag containing medicines (like paracetamol for fever, children's meds, maintenance meds, bandages, sterile gauze, cotton balls, band aid, betadine antiseptic, multivitamins, vitamin C, alcohol, calmoseptine ointment, insect repellant lotion, etc.),
2. a whistle (think Rose in Titanic)
3. small transistor radio
4, flash lights
5. fresh batteries
6. rechargeable lamps
7. life vest/floating devices
8. rope (not for hanging oneself ha?)
9. matches
10. always have your cell phone charged
11. "no cook" food - meaning food that doesn't need cooking (chichiria pwede na no?)
12. water
13. some clothes & other basic provisions you might deem necessary.
14. Have distilled water for children ready.
15. Put important documents like birth certificate, personal id cards, car insurance, insurance policies etc. in big resealable plastics (like the ones used for sandwiches). Put these all in a bag you can immediately take with you if you need to evacuate.
16. Have emergency cash put aside. ATM's and credit cards are useless without electricity.
17. Know emergency hotlines. Inform your relatives and friends of your whereabouts if you can.

Remember that you can live without food for more than 24 hours but not water.

* If you can't bring any food, bring water in plastic bottles. Once empty, it can be used as flotation devices by tying several plastic water bottles together (plastic softdrink bottles) with straw ropes (like the one used in supermarkets). [Wow, dami mong dadalhing plastic bottles niyan. Nevertheless, the moral of this point is: don't throw your plastic bottles irresponsibly. It may either block the hole where floodwater can flow out in the drainage, thereby raising higher the level of the flood, or you can still tie them later to form your saving boat! Guess what, why not start tying them when you have time so that when the flood comes, it can be used. Better be prepared than not, di ba?]

* If you are advised to evacuate, do not think that nature will spare you, heed the warning! Never mind the things that can be replaced.

* Lastly, don't try to be a super hero. If you think you can really help someone in need without danger to your life then do so but ask for help or back up just in case you turn out to be another casualty, and add to the load of rescuers. [My take on this: if you can save, go and do it. Have courage. Better to have saved than to regret that you allowed yourself to be too much of a coward. But if cowardice got the worst of you, don't be afraid. You can still make up for it when the floods are gone by helping others.]

In emergency situations, survival instinct will kick in and most people will save themselves first. Be self reliant but know when to ask for help...

Forewarned is forearmed! Let's thank God for our blessings. God Bless everyone!

This one is my addition: Yes, please always remember to have presence of mind. Cry if you must because you're afraid. But remember that the Lord is with you. And your guardian angels are there too.

And just a question to remember: why did the Blessed Virgin Mary walk to the house of Elizabeth, her cousin?

Answer: Because Mary gave her FIAT to the Archangel Gabriel. God bless

TOP 10 of thte AUG 2009 Board Exams in Guidance & Counseling

Herein is the list of TOP TEN in this year's Board Exams in Guidance & Counseling:

Top 10 August 2009 Guidance Counselor

The successful examinees who garnered the top 10 places in the Guidance Counselor Licensure Examination August 2009 are:

1 CHRISTOPHER PEREZ HERNANDEZ, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES-DILIMAN - 85.45%
2 MARIA ALMA GELVEZON FACTO, DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-MANILA - 85.10%
3 PEDRO JR PUERTA GALENO, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES-VISAYAS-ILOILO CITY - 84.70%
4 KATHERINE JOY NACHURA SANTOS, MIRIAM COLLEGE (MARYKNOLL COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC.) - 84.65%
5 DODDIE MARIE LICUDINE DUCLAN, DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-DASMARIÑAS - 83.35%%
6 ALAIN BERNARD ASUNCION ANDAL, HOLY ANGEL UNIVERSITY - 83.15%
7 MARISSA SANCHEZ NICASIO, UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS - 82.95%
8 NEUWEE MARQUEZ MARTINEZ, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES-VISAYAS-ILOILO CITY - 82.75%
IMMA CONCEPCION VEGAFRIA OANI, ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY - 82.75%
JANE GRACE RIVERA VILLASEÑOR, MIRIAM COLLEGE (MARYKNOLL COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC.) - 82.75%
9 VIRGINIA TALOMA DE RODA, ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY - 82.70%
NORA SUGANO DUSKA, BENGUET STATE UNIVERSITY-LA TRINIDAD - 82.70%
10 ANA BELLUSA MARQUIALA PELLEJO, CENTRAL PHILIPPINE UNIVERSITY - 82.50%


The complete list of successful examinees: August 2009 Guidance Counselor Board Exam Results is in the next website after this (I posted it first actually, but this one is the latest so it comers out first). Congratulations.

I got this list from this website: http://www.boardexamresultsph.com/top-10-august-2009-guidance-counselor

AUG 2009 Board Exam Results Released, List Here too

Since 9:40AM today, I have received three messages, 2 from the mobile and one here in this blog (the latter provided me the website after searching in vain the PRC website) about their passing the 2nd Board Exams for Guidance & Counseling. Thanks a lot May, and of course, thanks to our 2 Members of the Professional Regulatory Board of Guidance & Counseling. God bless

Herein is the said list in case you don't want to move to that site:

Guidance Counselor August 2009

The Professional Regulation Commission has released the Guidance Counselor board exam results as PRC announced that 78 out of 108 examinees passed the August 27 and 28 2009 licensure exams given by the Board of Guidance Counseling in Manila.

The composition of the Philippine Board of Guidance Counseling are chairwoman: Lily Rosqueta-Rosales; member: Luzviminda S. Guzman.

View the Top 10 August 2009 Guidance Counselor Board Passers

Successful Examinees in the August 2009 Guidance Counsellor Board Examination

1 ADDATU, JONA ADDUCUL
2 ANDAL, ALAIN BERNARD ASUNCION
3 AQUINO, ROSEMARIE CRUZ
4 ARGUELLES, SHEENA WELLA GONZALES
5 BALAGBAGAN, DALISAY ORTIZ
6 BARTOLOME, BERNADETTE VILLA
7 BASILLA, JOSEFINA BOCATO
8 BELTRAN, CATALINA LUCIA HIPONIA
9 CAPE, ELIZABETH TAGAYON
10 CARIÑO, RAQUEL GONZALES
11 CARPISO, MARY RACHELLE BAUTISTA
12 CATAQUIS, ROSALIE EUGENIO
13 CAYANAN, MARIA LAARNI CARLA AFABLE
14 CHIN, CHONA TORRES
15 CLAVERO, ANGELITO II BITOS
16 CLET, GEMMA SALANDO
17 COBICO, MARY ANN GUMBA
18 CORPUZ, ERNESITA PAREJA
19 CUSTODIO, LEAH STA ANA
20 DAYA, HELENE DESEMBRANA
21 DE RODA, VIRGINIA TALOMA
22 DEALA, RONADORA EVARDO
23 DELGADO, ROSEMARIE BOLIVAR
24 DOMINGO, LOURDES MOLON
25 DUCLAN, DODDIE MARIE LICUDINE
26 DUSKA, NORA SUGANO
27 ECHAGUE, NOREEN PEÑAMANTE
28 ENVERZO, ANN JOIZELLE DE GUZMAN
29 ESPIRITU, XUTCHIL VIDAL
30 ESTEMBER, KATHERINE ESPURA
31 FACTO, MARIA ALMA GELVEZON
32 FELIX, AILEEN KATRINA GAÑA
33 FIRMANTE, MARIA CRISTINA MEDRANO
34 GALA, IRENE ALIM
35 GALAM, JOECELEEHN BIROSEL
36 GALENO, PEDRO JR PUERTA
37 GO PUCO, MARY LOU CIMAFRANCA
38 GUEVARA, DAISY JOY SANTOS
39 HERNANDEZ, CHRISTOPHER PEREZ
40 KHOO, CLEOFAS ALTAMIRANO
41 LACHICA, MARIE LALAINE TIMTIMAN
42 LAGO, CESAR MELGAR
43 LAPID, JOSIE BAYONA
44 LASAM, TERESITA TRINIDAD
45 LAURENTE, ABIGAIL MURILLO
46 LICUANAN, JOCELYN PALISOC
47 LUCERO, RODY AGUSTIN
48 LUMIUAN, FLERY JOY MALICSI
49 MANUEL, AURORA MARIANO
50 MARTINEZ, NEUWEE MARQUEZ
51 MENDOZA, EDWARD GARCIA
52 MIGUEL, ILYN CASTILLO
53 MOZO, ROWENA LOZADA
54 NAUI, JESUSA LORENZO
55 NICASIO, MARISSA SANCHEZ
56 OANI, IMMA CONCEPCION VEGAFRIA
57 OBISPO, RONA RIA ARCEGA
58 PANIQUE, JASMIN OTIAN
59 PELLEJO, ANA BELLUSA MARQUIALA
60 PINSON, ROSARIO VIRGINIA COLUMBA GARCIA
61 POLEC-EO, RAQUEL LIWAYAN
62 QUITORIANO, LORENA LLANES
63 QUIZON, ABIGAIL RIVERA
64 REYES, RILAN GRACE BIOL
65 ROLDAN, ROBERTO JR QUEPPET
66 SALVA, ROSALINA AVANCEÑA
67 SANCHEZ, LILIBETH LORETO
68 SANTOS, KATHERINE JOY NACHURA
69 SINGIAN, SATURNINO IBON
70 TAN, JUVER POTIAN
71 TAROL, DOROTHY SIMPAO
72 TIONGKIAO, BERNARDITA SEBASTIAN
73 TUAZON, JENNIFER LUNA
74 TUPAS, AGNI MAY KATALBAS
75 VILLA, NYMPHA DIMAPILIS
76 VILLANUEVA, CHRISTOPHER ENRIQUEZ
77 VILLAR OP, SR MARLENE LACANILAO
78 VILLASEÑOR, JANE GRACE RIVERA

NOTHING FOLLOWS

* Guidance Counselor August 2009 Approved

Guidance Counselor August 2009 Approved ›

* Guidance Counselor
* Board Exam Results

The website is this: http://www.boardexamresultsph.com/guidance-counselor-august-2009

Missed out list of Board Examinees: Room 407 Examinees

A colleague who frequents this site has informed me that I missed out the list of examinees for Room 407 for tomorrow's Board Examination, and double listed Room 406. Sorry po. And yes, Thanks po for the feedback. Against all the warning that the PRC website (http://www.prc.gov.ph/documents/GUID0809rm.pdf) is an attack site, I managed to get in to get this data below. All the best to everyone. Through the intercession of St. Jude, may you be blessed. Let God's will be done as well. Just do your best. God bless and take care

Professional Regulation Commission
GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING LICENSURE EXAMS.
AUGUST 27 & 28, 2009
MANILA
School : M. L. Q. U.
Address : QUIAPO, MANILA
Building : MONZON HALL
Floor : 4TH
Room / Group No.: 407
L A S T N A M E F I R S T N A M E M I D D L E N A M E
1.LUCERO RODY AGUSTIN
2.LUMIUAN FLERY JOY MALICSI
3.MANCIA ANNE EBUENGA
4.MANUEL AURORA MARIANO
5.MARTINEZ NEUWEE MARQUEZ
6.MEJIA MARIA FE GALOZO
7.MENDOZA EDWARD GARCIA
8.MIGUEL ILYN CASTILLO
9.MOZO ROWENA LOZADA
10.NAUI JESUSA LORENZO
11.NICASIO MARISSA SANCHEZ
12.OANI IMMA CONCEPCION VEGAFRIA
13.OBISPO RONA RIA ARCEGA
14.OLAES HANNA MANALO
15.PANIQUE JASMIN OTIAN
16.PAPA AELENE ESGUERRA
17.PELLEJO ANA BELLUSA MARQUIALA
18.PINSON ROSARIO VIRGINIA COLUMBA GARCIA
19.POLEC-EO RAQUEL LIWAYAN
20.PUNZALAN PHILLIP RAMIR LANDICHO
21.QUIMSON LIZA LANUZA
22.QUITORIANO LORENA LLANES
REMINDER:
USE SAME NAME IN ALL EXAMINATION FORMS. IF THERE IS AN ERROR
IN SPELLING, KINDLY REQUEST YOUR ROOM WATCHER(s) TO CORRECT IT.

2nd Board Examinations in Guidance and Counseling

I just got a text message from a friend, saying that the PRC website has published the site for examinations, as well as mentioning that there are now more than a hundred examinees including those who may have registered from the provinces. Anyway, here is the list in case you failed to enter the PRC website. My computer has identified the PRC website as an ATTACK SITE, the website complete with a strict warning, giving you nonetheless the choice to leave before entering the site, or ask why, or simply ignore the warning and enter anyway. Yes, the website is this: http://www.prc.gov.ph/documents/GUID0809rm.pdf

Professional Regulation Commission
GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING LICENSURE EXAMS.
AUGUST 27 & 28, 2009
MANILA
School : M. L. Q. U.
Address : QUIAPO, MANILA
Building : MONZON HALL
Floor : 4TH
Room / Group No.: 404
L A S T N A M E F I R S T N A M E M I D D L E N A M E
1.ABIAN ANNALYN VIDAL
2.ABRAGAN ARENN BUSTILLO
3.ABRIA AIZZA ARLIA SANTIAGO
4.ADDATU JONA ADDUCUL
5.ADONA SHEILA MARIE BARCELON
6.ANDAL ALAIN BERNARD ASUNCION
7.AQUINO ROSEMARIE CRUZ
8.ARGUELLES SHEENA WELLA GONZALES
9.BAGO JESSIECA TANDUG
10.BALAGBAGAN DALISAY ORTIZ
11.BALTAZAR CATALINA CAMADDO
12.BARTOLOME BERNADETTE VILLA
13.BASILLA JOSEFINA BOCATO
14.BELASA JOSEFINA ABUEVA
15.BELTRAN CATALINA LUCIA HIPONIA
16.CAGATIN LETICIA GALIA
17.CALAGSING MARJORIE GALLO
18.CAPE ELIZABETH TAGAYON
19.CARI¥O RAQUEL GONZALES
20.CARPISO MARY RACHELLE BAUTISTA
21.CATAQUIS ROSALIE EUGENIO
REMINDER:
USE SAME NAME IN ALL EXAMINATION FORMS. IF THERE IS AN ERROR
IN SPELLING, KINDLY REQUEST YOUR ROOM WATCHER(s) TO CORRECT IT.

Professional Regulation Commission
GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING LICENSURE EXAMS.
AUGUST 27 & 28, 2009
MANILA
School : M. L. Q. U.
Address : QUIAPO, MANILA
Building : MONZON HALL
Floor : 4TH
Room / Group No.: 405
L A S T N A M E F I R S T N A M E M I D D L E N A M E
1.CAYANAN MARIA LAARNI CARLA AFABLE
2.CA¥EGA ZALDY SARDIDO
3.CHIN CHONA TORRES
4.CLAVERO ANGELITO II BITOS
5.CLET GEMMA SALANDO
6.COBICO MARY ANN GUMBA
7.COMPALA AGRIFINA PASCUAL
8.CONDICION SABINITA PI¥ERO
9.CORPUZ ERNESITA PAREJA
10.CUSTODIO LEAH STA ANA
11.DAYA HELENE DESEMBRANA
12.DE RODA VIRGINIA TALOMA
13.DEALA RONADORA LOON
14.DEASIS AUDY MORPHY RODRIGO
15.DELA CRUZ EVANGELINE NOLASCO
16.DELGADO ROSEMARIE BOLIVAR
17.DOLES JOSEPHINE CABARLO
18.DOMINGO LOURDES MOLON
19.DUCLAN DODDIE MARIE LICUDINE
20.DUSKA NORA SUGANO
21.ECHAGUE NOREEN PE¥AMANTE
REMINDER:
USE SAME NAME IN ALL EXAMINATION FORMS. IF THERE IS AN ERROR
IN SPELLING, KINDLY REQUEST YOUR ROOM WATCHER(s) TO CORRECT IT.

Professional Regulation Commission
GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING LICENSURE EXAMS.
AUGUST 27 & 28, 2009
MANILA
School : M. L. Q. U.
Address : QUIAPO, MANILA
Building : MONZON HALL
Floor : 4TH
Room / Group No.: 406
L A S T N A M E F I R S T N A M E M I D D L E N A M E
1.ELIVERA LEA FLORES
2.ENVERZO ANN JOIZELLE VILLANIA
3.ESPIRITU XUTCHIL VIDAL
4.ESTEMBER KATHERINE ESPURA
5.FACTO MARIA ALMA GELVEZON
6.FELIX AILEEN KATRINA GA¥A
7.FIRMANTE MARIA CRISTINA MEDRANO
8.GALA IRENE ALIM
9.GALAM JOECELEEHN BIROSEL
10.GALENO PEDRO JR PUERTA
11.GO PUCO MARY LOU CIMAFRANCA
12.GUEVARA DAISY JOY SANTOS
13.HABBILING JOAN BOLIGON
14.HERNANDEZ CHRISTOPHER PEREZ
15.KHOO CLEOFAS ALTAMIRANO
16.KILLIP MILAGROS CORTON
17.LACHICA MARIE LALAINE TIMTIMAN
18.LAGO CESAR MELGAR
19.LAPID JOSIE BAYONA
20.LASAM TERESITA TRINIDAD
21.LAURENTE ABIGAIL MURILLO
22.LICUANAN JOCELYN PALISOC
REMINDER:
USE SAME NAME IN ALL EXAMINATION FORMS. IF THERE IS AN ERROR
IN SPELLING, KINDLY REQUEST YOUR ROOM WATCHER(s) TO CORRECT IT.

Professional Regulation Commission
GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING LICENSURE EXAMS.
AUGUST 27 & 28, 2009
MANILA
School : M. L. Q. U.
Address : QUIAPO, MANILA
Building : MONZON HALL
Floor : 4TH
Room / Group No.: 406
L A S T N A M E F I R S T N A M E M I D D L E N A M E
1.ELIVERA LEA FLORES
2.ENVERZO ANN JOIZELLE VILLANIA
3.ESPIRITU XUTCHIL VIDAL
4.ESTEMBER KATHERINE ESPURA
5.FACTO MARIA ALMA GELVEZON
6.FELIX AILEEN KATRINA GA¥A
7.FIRMANTE MARIA CRISTINA MEDRANO
8.GALA IRENE ALIM
9.GALAM JOECELEEHN BIROSEL
10.GALENO PEDRO JR PUERTA
11.GO PUCO MARY LOU CIMAFRANCA
12.GUEVARA DAISY JOY SANTOS
13.HABBILING JOAN BOLIGON
14.HERNANDEZ CHRISTOPHER PEREZ
15.KHOO CLEOFAS ALTAMIRANO
16.KILLIP MILAGROS CORTON
17.LACHICA MARIE LALAINE TIMTIMAN
18.LAGO CESAR MELGAR
19.LAPID JOSIE BAYONA
20.LASAM TERESITA TRINIDAD
21.LAURENTE ABIGAIL MURILLO
22.LICUANAN JOCELYN PALISOC
REMINDER:
USE SAME NAME IN ALL EXAMINATION FORMS. IF THERE IS AN ERROR
IN SPELLING, KINDLY REQUEST YOUR ROOM WATCHER(s) TO CORRECT IT.

Professional Regulation Commission
GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING LICENSURE EXAMS.
AUGUST 27 & 28, 2009
MANILA
School : M. L. Q. U.
Address : QUIAPO, MANILA
Building : MONZON HALL
Floor : 4TH
Room / Group No.: 408
L A S T N A M E F I R S T N A M E M I D D L E N A M E
1.QUIZON ABIGAIL RIVERA
2.REYES GINA UY
3.REYES RILAN GRACE BIOL
4.RODRIGUEZ JUDY ANN MILA SAQUING
5.ROLDAN ROBERTO JR QUEPPET
6.SALVA ROSALINA AVANCE¥A
7.SANCHEZ LILIBETH LORETO
8.SANTOS KATHERINE JOY NACHURA
9.SINGIAN SATURNINO IBON
10.TAN JUVER POTIAN
11.TAROL DOROTHY SIMPAO
12.TIONGKIAO BERNARDITA SEBASTIAN
13.TUAZON JENNIFER LUNA
14.TUPAS AGNI MAY KATALBAS
15.TURADO MA LEONITA OBICO
16.VILLA NYMPHA DIMAPILIS
17.VILLANUEVA CHRISTOPHER ENRIQUEZ
18.VILLAR SR MARLENE LANILAO
19.VILLAREAL GERALDINE GABIOLA
20.VILLARUEL MARIANNE PARAISO
21.VILLASE¥OR JANE GRACE RIVERA
22.ZAMUDIO ARLEEN GOSME
REMINDER:
USE SAME NAME IN ALL EXAMINATION FORMS. IF THERE IS AN ERROR
IN SPELLING, KINDLY REQUEST YOUR ROOM WATCHER(s) TO CORRECT IT.

Okey, all the best then. And for those who've texted for intercessions as you take the Board, will definitely mention you during my Mass here that day. God bless and take care

Upcoming Board Exams Part II: Coverage

For those who are anxious about the upcoming Board Exams, here is some information that was passed to me. Hope this will help alleviate your worries and boost your confidence. Let me know who you are so I can mention your name to St. Jude and the Lord (hehe) in our novena to St. Jude on the days of your testing. Thanks to the information supplier. God bless and take care

hello father! how are you? here's the program of the guidance & counseling licensure examination po for aug 27 & 28, 2009.. venue for the exam will be posted at the PRC premises 2 to 3 working days before the exam. i was told that there were bout 66 who qualified to take the exam. hoping for a 100% passing rate.. goodluck to all!

Take care always,

(Name I purposely keep hidden muna)


THURSDAY - Aug 27

7:00AM - 7:45am - General instructions and filling up of forms

8:00am - 11:00 am - Counseling Theories, Tools and Techniques - 35%

1:00pm - 3:00pm - Group Process - 20%

3:00pm - 4:30pm - Foundations of Guidance (Philosophical psychological & sociological) - 10%


FRIDAY Aug 28

8:00am - 9:00am - Career Guidance - 10%

9:30am - 11:00am - Psychological Testing 15%

11:00am - 12:30 pm - Organization, administration & supervision of Guidance services and program development 10%

ALL THE BEST TALAGA! God bless and take care

The Upcoming Board Exams for 2009

Let me share here a correspondence on the upcoming Board Exams.

Greetings!

I am presently working as a Guidance Counselor and I will be taking the licensure exam this August. I would like to ask if you could help me in my review since there is no available reviewer for this in the bookstore.Could you give me an idea about the test? and if you could give me some handouts to review. Thank you so much!


Hi,

Peace!

First of all, let me assure you I will be including you in my prayers on Aug. 27, a Thursday during our novena prayers here in St. Jude Archdiocesan Shrine, and my Mass the following day, Aug. 28, my father's 83rd birthday. I hope you will take the test without fear, knowing that you are ready for whatever this test will amount to.

Secondly, there are 6 subjects covered by the licensure exams. They include the following:
1. Theories and Techniques of Counseling,
2. Philosophical and Psychological Foundations of Guidance,
3. Career Guidance,
4. Organization Management and Supervision of Guidance Services,
5. Tests and Measurements, and
6. Group Process or Group Guidance

I bet you have taken all these subjects in your masters, Hence, just remember the core points in each area, and using your present work experience, and of course PRESENCE of MIND, you should be able to make it. I am myself reading into these subjects again, hoping to address the current needs. We'll work through this one by one.

Maybe you can raise specific questions which we can answer gradually so you go armed with something to boost your confidence.

And of course, if you want to pass the exams, take ALL the exams. I mean, there are two days for the exams. So, go and take the exams on these two days. If you only go the first day, NO MIRACLE other than corruption will make you pass. If you go both days, God's way should be very reliable, especially if you really ask for it.

All the best then, and God bless

FPCAP 3rd Counseling Cafe

Dear Counselors,

Greetings from the FPCAP Board!

We cordially invite you to grace our 3rd COUNSELING CAFE on August 21 (Friday) at the Aquanox Restaurant, 800 Arnaiz Avenue (formerly Pasay Road) cr. Amorsolo Street, Makati City.

Topic for the Forum is "The Counselor's Emotional Baggage." Join us in this interactive activity and tag along other counselors to experience our unique advocacy in counseling.

If you are interested to join us, kindly make your seat reservation with Lyn Payno (09178360353), Myr Serranilla (09209064162), or the undersigned (09192958475).

Sincerely,
Pearl S. Polestico

---------

I have the invitation which can be sent through email. Please feel free to request for it through my email address berngu721@gmail.com


--------
Fr. Eku Bustamante, S.J. emailed me this thought which I thought would be best shared with everyone. It's something to keep in mind especially when we are faced with similar situations of the characters in the story below. Thanks Fr. Eku.

TRIPLE FILTER TEST
(Keep this philosophy in mind about rumors!!!)

In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.

One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?"

"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the "TRIPLE FILTER TEST."

"TRIPLE FILTER TEST?" asked the acquaintance.

"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my student let's take a moment to filter what you're going to say. The FIRST filter is TRUTH. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it."

"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the SECOND filter, the filter of GOODNESS. Is what are about to tell me about my student something good?"

"No, on the contrary ..."

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, even though you're not certain it's true?".

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed. Socrates continued."You may still pass the test though, because there is a THIRD filter - the filter of USEFULNESS. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really..."

"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither TRUE nor GOOD nor even USEFUL, why tell it to me at all?"

The man was defeated and ashamed.

This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.



God bless and take care

Getting One's PRC ID

Let me share here some information I got abut getting one's PRC ID. It was started by an email inquiring what help I could give to the Counselor's situation:

dear Fr. Bern,

greetings.. i am back to my mission in (abroad) last (date). Luckily i was able to process my requirements for the exception and was approved. Although i was not able to make it for the Oath Taking Ceremony, is there any means how to get my PRC ID. Neverthless i am actively doing the function of the guidance counselor. Other concern, Fr. will you pls send me the application for the Integrated Professional Counselors Association of the Philippines (IPCAP)...Is there any way i can update myself for the seminars which are necessary for updating and renewal of license. At the moment, i am actively involve in the psycho-pastoral and spiritual counseling with the migrants in (abroad). Thank you so much. God Bless,

My reply:
Hi,
Peace!
I called up the PRC Records Management Division of the PRC just a minute ago. To get your PRC ID, you should have the claim stub as well as a special power of attorney (S.P.A) given to someone who can claim it for you. In which case you should have registered at the PRC, kasi you should have signed in the logbook of professional counselors where you placed your ID din po. Hope my task is done. Hope you received too the IPCAP Application for membership. God bless and take care


I asked about the oath taking vis-a-vis the PRC, i.e., the authorized procedure regarding the oath-taking in relation to the ID. The person at PRC who answered my phone call said "that is understood na po."

Wow, that was interesting an answer.

If this is how it is, is there then NO MORE NEED FOR THE OATH TAKING? Has paying for one's license thus taken the place of the oath? Ang pera na ba ang kapalit ng panunumpa? Sorry, but I smell something. I am led to ask more questions like: what's with this oath taking that's making it "understood." Sabagay, in the commercial world, when I pay for something at the store, or bus terminal for a bus seat, or at the new PNRC (Philippine National Railway Corporation) with its new coaches, or in school, it means I am ready for the consequences of my purchase. Has the oath thus become nothing but "formality"? Has it then become so dispensable? If this is so, what is the purpose for its presence in the law?

Or is it possible that those who are tasked to administer the oath may not give it the priority it deserves? I'd like to believe that the bureaucratic system can create shortcuts that may open itself for and even encourage some shady process to take place.

Why not?

Because if I can get my license that way without having to show myself through an oath before the Board of Examiners (in our case, the Professional Regulatory Board of Guidance and Counseling), either personally or in groups, then the license can become a commodity that can be paid, or stated bluntly - BOUGHT!

I think there is a need to look into this matter. We cannot allow the license to be simply a commodity which money can buy. We all know what happens these days in the market: there are lots of pirated CDs, DVDs, cloned brand named jeans and shirts. Right beside PRC is Recto with its manufactured diplomas and even theses and dissertations. If this is so, a FAKE ID is not a distant possibility.

When Hands Mimic the Rain: Concert Online

My high school batch mates have a yahoo group email account from where I got this very relaxing and rejuvenating music. You may want to go on a concert online, so go ahead and click on these ones and try for yourselves the music that really enlivens one's spirit:

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktteZaXpXmw&feature=related

2. Some jazz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmttwEHdfB0&feature=related

3. Bee Gees Medley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vquusVqcUdw&feature=related

4. This one is really relaxing, imagine them creating the sound of rain falling, using their hands and then simulating the whole rainforest atmosphere, and then they group singing Africa, haah! Makakapasa ka talaga sa board exams after reviewing. Enjoy this one really: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjbpwlqp5Qw

5. Baroque Samba: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXbuTVyyoBc&feature=related

Did I hear that these were Counselors? hehe. Wishful thinking ha? God bless

Reviewing for the Board Exams

I got a text message today July 13, inquiring about a review center near the texter's place in the Visayas. Months earlier, I was texted about the same matter. In fact, the inquiry was about review materials. As of now I am not cognizant of any review activities being done by any organization or persons, except that there was this "rhumor" to just read "MY book" because the questions were taken from there. Tumaas nga ang sales ng book na yon na di ko man nabasa when I was having my academics, never ever heard about the author, and never ever read about a certain LUKER or LOOKER? Anyway, if there is any apprehension I can help the reviewers, do feel free to email your questions and the review process may be done that way. Of course free lang. I cannot afford your fees.

And for the benefit of those who are thinking about doing review activities, or publishing review materials, please read the following which I got from the internet:

Source: http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/publications/benchmark/2009/04/040903.php (Accessed July 6, 2009)
Benchmark Online April 2009

SC: CHED Has No Authority to Regulate Review Centers
By James C. Bitanga

The Supreme Court struck down an Executive Order expanding the coverage of regulation by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to include review centers, entities in the business of preparing applicants for professional licensure examinations.

The Court En Banc, through a 23-page ponencia of Justice Antonio T. Carpio, declared EO 566 unconstitutional and invalid as it had expanded the coverage of CHED’s authority without authorizing legislation. Accordingly, the Court also found that the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (RIRR) corresponding to EO 566 was “an invalid exercise of CHED’s quasi-legislative power.”

In ruling in favor of the Review Center Association of the Philippines, the Court ruled that EO 566 is an unconstitutional exercise of legislative power by the President as it expands CHED’s regulatory coverage to include review centers, despite the fact that RA 7722, the law defining CHED’s authority, only limits such coverage to “public and private institutions of higher education and degree-granting programs in all post-secondary educational institutions.”

In this regard, the Court clarified that a “review center is not an institution of higher learning as contemplated by RA 7722…[i]t does not offer a degree-granting program that would put it under the jurisdiction of the CHED.” Moreover, “[a] review course is only intended to ‘refresh and enhance the knowledge or competencies and skills of reviewees,’” and it does not require enrollment, attendance, a grade or submission of a thesis in order to complete the review center course requirements or take the licensure examination.

Likewise, the Court struck down the RIRR as an invalid exercise of CHED’s quasi-legislative power, finding that “[t]he CHED may only exercise its rule-making power within the confines of its jurisdiction under RA 7722. The RIRR covers review centers and similar entities which are neither institutions of higher education nor institutions offering degree-granting programs.”

The Court also rejected the argument that the President was merely exercising her residual powers under EO 292 in expanding CHED’s regulatory coverage. Following prior jurisprudence, the Court stressed that the President has no inherent or delegated power to make, alter or repeal laws, absent an enabling legislation allowing her to do so. Thus, the President, in amending the functions of the CHED under RA 7722, without enabling laws granting her that authority, usurped the authority of the legislature.

In addition, the Court ruled that RA 8981, the Philippine Regulation Commission Modernization Act of 2000 (The PRC Modernization Act), did not give the President, through the PRC, powers to regulate review centers. Under RA 8981, the PRC must “ensure and safeguard the integrity of all licensure examinations” and adopt “measures to preserve the integrity and inviolability of licensure examinations.” The Court stated that “[t]hese powers of the PRC have nothing to do at all with the regulation of review centers.” (GR No. 180046, Review Center Association of the Philippines v. Ermita, April 2, 2009)

All the best then. God bless

2nd Board Exams: Question #2

Gud pm sir. sori 4 txtng L8. jst wnt 2 ask snce wud wnt 2 tke d goard xam in guidnce. Im from S.C.. Im a grad of guidncecounselng&psych. Dnt hav ma n guidnce but curently im d scul guidnce counselor & im also teaching psychology n colege. Am I qualified jst wnt 2 mke sure il b spendng much & sayang pag di rn pla pwd. hpe u cud help me wid ds matr Fr. Bern [name withheld here].

Good pam sir. Sorry for texting late. Just want to ask since (I) would want to take the Board Exam in Guidance. I'm from (place name withheld here). I'm a graduate of Guidance Counseling & psychology. I don't have Masters in Guidance but currently I'm the school guidance counselor and I'm also teaching Psychology in college. Am I qualified(? I) just want to make sure I'll be spending much and sayang if I am not qualified (pala). Hope you could help me with this matter Fr. Bern.

My response: Good pm. The Board wants to implement the law this time so you will need to have an M.A before you take the board exam.

His text reply: How many units at least to qualify for the test? Or do you have to finish?

My response: Finish a nonthesis M.a in Guidance. Ensure you know the contents of the six Board exam subjects.

His text reply: Fr.so ur advising me not 2 file nymor in dvao? I have MA thou n a difrnt discipline Teaching english as a second language 33 units? wud dat count? thnk u so much 4 enlightening me at least dnt hav 2 spend so much na wla dn pala..

My response: The Rules and Regulations of R.A. 9258 says in Rule III Sec. 13 that M.A in Guidance is needed

His text reply: Woow.okay thanks.i just read thru d nfo kc nga tgal din magpost or even if u nquire sa prc dey dnt knw. thank u super.

Thus far today's text communication.

This is really interesting, no? It's just a few weeks before the deadline for submission of applications for the second Board examinations in Guidance and Counseling which is supposedly scheduled for Aug. 27-28, 2009 (the same days when IPCAP is going to hold its 2nd National Convention with the theme centering on Guidance Management practices - I shall be writing on this in the next few days), and it seems that people are waiting for some invitation to apply for this 2nd licensure exams. One thing that complicates this matter is shown in a reader's comment which I'd like to put here (it's a comment posted after my June 23, 2009 entry):

Anonymous said...

nakakainis ang batas ng sa board exam na to ang gulo gulo. di ko malaman kung alin ang may problema yung batas ba o yung nag iimplement. First board exam pinakuha nila mga fresh grad. (Candiate for M.A. na ako at that time!) Tapos ngayon mag second board exam ilang beses ako nag pabalik balik sa PRC papalit palit ng requirements. Ilang araw Lang ang pagitan nagpunta classmate ko iba rin sinabi sa kanya. NAKAKAWALANG GANA!!!

My reply to that comment was this:

BRC said...

Hi Ma'am/Sir,
Peace!
Thanks for your comment. Please be specific about your concern so that we can address the matter. I believe that PRC and the PRBGC may only be able to address those concerns when they are specific (remember the SMART framework in doing behavior change arrangements and management?). By all means feel free to tell us those things that did not have consistency other than this requirement of MA which was not mandated in last year's Board exam. Ano ba yung mga pabago-bagong requirements [nila ngayon]? In this way we can concretely alert the PRC about what the Board should be releasing at this time.

Hope you can use your madness to steer you into passing the exams. I shall include you in my prayers. God bless and take care


For those who are going to take the Board exams on Aug., by all means send in your applications na. The qualifications are stated in the Rules and Regulations of R.A. 9258, and let me quote verbatim the relevant provision here:

Rule III Sec. 13. Qualifications of Applicants. - To qualify for the examination, an applicant at the time of the filing of the application must:

a. Be a citizen x x x
b. Not have been convicted x x x

c. Be a graduate of a baccalaureate in guidance and counseling or in other allied discipline/degree from an accredited college or university with subject units covering those in Sec. 15, Rule III of this RR and a holder of an MA, MAEd, MAT, or MS, in guidance and counseling the curriculum of which covers the core subjects in guidance and counseling on the masteral level, or those in Sec. 15 Rule III of this RR; or a holder of the PhD or Ed.D in guidance and counseling, the curriculum of which covers the core subjects in guidance and counseling on the doctoral level, or those in Sec. 15, Rule III of this RR.

So, the texter above appears to be partly qualified since he is a college graduate in Guidance and Psychology (he should have taken it last year when guys like him were allowed to take the Board, and made it!!! sayang talaga!). While he may have an MA in a different field (teaching English as a 2nd language), it is not the MA that is definitely required by the regulatory law on Guidance and Counseling. So, my response was: take a non-thesis Masters in Guidance and Counseling like many I know who are targeting to take the Board Exams and get the license after passing, after which one can return and write the masters thesis, a matter of arrangement with one's respective department in school where they finished their nonthesis masters in G.C.

And I added that the core subjects for Board Exams must be definitely in that curriculum since currently there appears to be no official curriculum on Masters in Guidance and Counseling from the CHED or the Board of Guidance Counseling. What was constructed was a curriculum for bachelors in Guidance and Counseling, something that is not essential since anyone may take and finish the Masters in Guidance & Counseling despite coming from allied disciplines like Psychology and Education.

Nonetheless, Sec. 15 Rule III of the Rules and Regulations of R.A. 9258 has the following six subjects identified for licensure examinations, and let me quote it here verbatim again:

Sec. 15. Scope of Examination. - The examination shall be in English and shall consist of a written test covering the following subjects:

a. Philosophical, Psychological and Sociological Foundations of Guidance
b. Counseling Theories, Tools and Techniques
c. Psychological Testing
d. Organization, Administration and Supervision of Guidance Services, and Program Development
e. Group Process
f. Career Guidance

Every curriculum for the Masters in Guidance and Counseling needs to have these six subjects (of course we know the Masters curriculum in Guidance and Counseling has other subjects which must be prescribed by the CHED and the Board of Guidance and Counseling [PRBGC]) or else, chances for failure in the licensure exams will be high. Anyway, we just have to be watchful, and act with resolve.

All the best and God bless