PRC Document Regarding the CPE for Guidance & Counseling Part II

Article III

CRITERIA FOR ACCREDITATION OF PROVIDERS, PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES OR SOURCES; EQUIVALENT CREDIT UNITS; CREDIT REQUIREMENTS; EXEMPTIONS AND OTHER MATTERS

Section 14. Criteria for Accreditation. – In order to merit accreditation, the following criteria shall be complied with:

A. For CPE Provider

1. Must be a duly registered organization, firm, institution or agency, or a registered and licensed professional of good standing in the APO concerned, and who has never been convicted of a crime;
2. Shall have an established mechanism for measuring the quality of the program being offered or administered;
3. Must have adequate, modern and updated instructional materials to carry out the CPE programs and activities;
4. Shall have a pool of regular instructors, lecturers and resource speakers with good moral character and technical competence and must be holders of current/valid professional registrations and licenses, if they are professionals regulated by the Commission.

B. For CPE Programs, activities or sources

1. The scope shall be beyond the basic preparation for admission to the practice of the profession. The contents shall be relevant/related, but not limited to, the practice of the profession.
2. The programs, activities or sources shall enhance the competence of the registered and licensed professional by upgrading and updating knowledge and skills for the practice of the profession as brought about by modernization and scientific and technical advancements in the profession.

Section 15. Programs, Activities and Sources for Accreditation and Equivalent Credit Units. - Any provider may submit to the CPE Council programs, activities or sources to be approved and accredited for credit units (CUs). No CPE provider shall be allowed to conduct CPE programs, activities and sources without approval and accreditation from the Council.

As used in these guidelines, the following terms shall mean:

1. Seminars shall refer to the gathering of registered and licensed professionals which shall include, among others, workshops, technical lectures or subject matter meetings, non-degree training courses and scientific meetings.
2. Conventions shall refer to the gathering of registered and licensed professionals which shall include, among others, conferences, symposia or assemblies for round table discussions.
3. Doctoral degree shall refer to a post-graduate degree from a recognized school, college or university.
4. Masteral Degree shall refer to a graduate degree from a recognized school, college or university.




5. Fellowship shall refer to the completion of a post-doctoral training program in a specific field pre-approved by a duly recognized institution, scientific faculty meeting and the like.
6. Residency/Externship shall refer to the apprenticeship training at the graduate level which is beyond the basic preparation for the regulated and licensed health professionals. This should be conducted by duly-accredited hospitals and medical centers and the like.
7. Authorship shall refer to the ownership of intellectual property which includes technical or professional books, instructional materials and the like. Credit units (CUs) earned must be claimed within one (1)b year from the date of publication.
8. Self-directed Learning Package shall refer to learning which uses course manuals or accredited learning modules. Accredited learning modules include self-instructional materials or programs which may be in the form of printed manual, audio and video cassette tapes, films, computer-assisted learning (CAL), study kits, learning aids and modules or the use of the information highway. These should include among others, clearly defined objectives, adequate content and an evaluation component for each module.
9. Post-Graduate/In-Service Training shall mean training or specialization at the post graduate level for a minimum period of one (1) week.
10. Resource Speaker shall refer to a professional who acts as a discussion leader or lecturer, in a convention or seminar or similar gathering.
11. Peer Reviewer shall refer to professional who acts as an evaluator of a research paper, conference paper or journal article before it is presented or published.
12. CPE Provider shall refer to a natural person or a juridical entity which includes among others, accredited or non-accredited professional organization, firm, partnership, corporation or institution which offers, organizes or arranges CPE programs, activities or sources for implementation and administration.
13. CPE Programs, Activities or Sources shall refer to the regime of CPE which enhance the competence of the professional by upgrading and updating knowledge and skills for the profession as brought about by modernization and scientific and technical advancements in the profession. The scope shall be beyond the basic preparation for admission to the practice of the regulated profession. The content shall be related but not limited to the practice of the profession.

The following is the Matrix for CPE programs, activities or sources with their corresponding credit units and supporting documents required. Credit unit (CU) allocation for other CPE activities may be decided upon by the concerned Council.

MATRIX FOR CPE PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES OR SOURCES

PROGRAMS / CREDIT UNITS / SUPPORTING DOCUMENT
1. SEMINARS/CONVENTIONS
1.1. PARTICIPANT 1 CU PER HOUR CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE
WITH NUMBER OF HOURS, SEMINAR
PROGRAM, CERTIFIED LIST OF
PARTICIPANTS
1.2 RESOURCE SPEAKER 5 CU PER HOUR PHOTOCOPY OF PLAQUE
CERTIFICATION AND COPY OF
PAPER, PROGRAM INVITATION






Section 16. CPE Credit Units. – The total CPE credit units (CUs) for registered and licensed professionals with baccalaureate degree shall be sixty (60) credit units for three (3) years. Any excess credit units earned shall not be carried over to the next three-year period except credit units earned for doctoral and masteral degrees or for other special training.

The total CPE credit units (CUs) for registered and licensed professionals without baccalaureate degrees shall be thirty (30) credit units for three (3) years. Any excess shall not be carried over to the next three year period.

One credit hour of CPE program, activity of source shall be equivalent to one (1) credit unit.

Programs and activities conducted by providers which were not pre-accredited may be given credit upon submission of documents relevant to the programs to the APO CPEC and upon approval of the Council.

Section 17. Procedures. - Each Council shall observe the following procedures for the accreditation of CPE providers and CPE programs, activities, or sources:

A. Procedure for Accreditation of CPE Provider:
I. In case of natural persons:
1. Any person seeking to offer an organized or arranged program, activity or
source shall accomplish and submit to the appropriate Council an application
form.
2. An application shall include, but shall not limit to the following information:
a. Full name, address and telephone number of the applicant provider.
b. Relevant educational background.
c. Profession, principal area of professional work and number of years in
the legal practice of the regulated profession.
d. PRC License Number and date of expiration.
e. Current employment.
3. Applicant-provider shall submit a valid NBI clearance.

II. In case of juridical entity:
1. Any agency, organization, institution, association or similar juridical
entity seeking to offer an organized program, activity or source shall
accomplish and submit to the appropriate Council an application form.
2. An application shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following
information and documents:
a. Full name, address, and telephone/fax number/s and email address.
b. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or Department of



Trade and Industry (DTI) original registration papers.
c. List of officers with their PRC License Numbers and expiry date if officer
is a member of a regulated profession.
d. Plans for CPE programs or activities for the year applied.
e. Proof of past CPE activities or programs conducted/arranged (immediate past
year) for applicants renewing accreditation (not required for first time
applicants).

III. All applicants shall submit to the CPE/CPD Council concerned the following:
1. Mechanism for measuring the quality of the program, activity or source being
offered.
2. Criteria for selecting and evaluating speakers, resource persons or
lecturers.

IV. Issuance by the Council of Certificate of Accreditation (CoA) as CPE provider in the case of natural persons and juridical entities and their programs, activities and sources by the Commission Proper. Accreditation shall be for a period of three (3) years, renewable every three years (3) years.

B. Procedures for Accreditation of a CPE Program, Activity or Source

1. A CPE provider seeking accreditation of an organized or arranged CPE
program, activity or source shall submit said program, activity or source
(in triplicate) to the Council concerned for its evaluation and approval.
The program, activity or source shall cover a period not to exceed three (3)
years.
2. The application for accreditation of a CPE Program, activity or source shall
include the following information and documents:
a. Title/s of program/s, activity/ies or source/s.
b. Name of CPE provider, address, phone and fax numbers.
c. Date and venue of the Administration of the program.
d. Objectives.
e. Targeted audience or participants.
f. Contents and number of hours.
g. Resource speakers, lecturers, discussion leaders, panelists, reactors,
moderators, and facilitators including their qualifications and current PRC
license if they are members of the regulated profession.
h. Actual program and schedule.

PRC Documents Regarding the CPE for Guidance & Counseling Part I

Herein are the pages of the PRC Resolution for CPE Provision. I can only place 5 pages per entry, hence the rest shall follow in the succeeding blogs. I would like to understand it myself, so I decided to type it and place it here for us to read the documents directly. You may check if my verbatim copying of the document herein printed is faithful to the original, and if alright with you, let me know where I failed so we can correct it immediately. My email is berngu721@gmail.com. Thanks and Happy Reading! God bless





Republic of the Philippines
Professional Regulation Commission
Manila

Resolution No. 2008-466 Series of 2008

REPEALING RESOLUTION 2004-179, SERIES OF 2004, THE “STANDARDIZED GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION/DEVELOPMENT (CPE/CPD) SYSTEM FOR ALL PROFESSIONS” AND IMPLEMENTATION OF REVISED STANDARDIZED GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CPE/CPD SYSTEM FOR ALL REGISTERED AND LICENSED PROFESSIONALS

WHEREAS, Sec. 14, Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution partly provides that “the sustained development of a reservoir of national talents x x x professionals x x x shall be promoted by the state;”

WHEREAS, the Professional Regulation Commission (the “Commission”), under Section 7 (a), (n) and (y) of Republic Act (RA) No. 8981 otherwise known as the “PRC Modernization Act of 2000,” has these specific powers:

“(a) to administer, implement and enforce the regulatory policies of the national
government with respect to the regulation and licensing of the various professionals and occupations under its jurisdiction including enhancement and maintenance of professional and occupational standards and ethics and the enforcement of rules and regulations relative hereto;”

“(n) To adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to effectively implement policies with respect to the regulation and practice of the professions;”

“(y) To perform such other functions and duties a may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, the various professional regulatory laws, decrees, executive orders and other administrative issuances;”

WHEREAS, Section 9 (b) of R.A. 8981 provides that one of the Powers, Functions and Responsibilities of the Various Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBs) is “[T]o monitor the conditions affecting the practice of the profession or occupation under their respective jurisdictions and whenever necessary, adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for the enhancement of the profession or occupation and/or the maintenance of high professional, ethical and technical standards, x x x;”

WHEREAS, the formulation of the policy on CPE is in consonance with the objective to enhance and maintain high professional and occupational, ethical and technical standards in the practice of the professions;
WHEREAS, the President of the Republic of the Philippines issued on June 23, 2003, Executive Order (E.O.) No. 220, “Directing the Adoption of the Code of Good Governance for the Professions in the Philipines;”

WHEREAS, the said Code was adopted by the Commission and the forty-four (44) PRBs, embodying principles of professional conduct, specifically, integrity and objectivity, professional competence, and global competitiveness;

WHEREAS, all the forty-three (43) PRBs and the forty-three (43) accredited professional organizations (APOs) are in favor of implementing a CPE in the practice of their respective professions;

WHEREAS, the Commission, as the instrument of the Filipino people in securing for the nation a reliable, trustworthy and progressive system of developing professionals whose competencies are globally competitive, has decided to prescribe guidelines and procedures to carry out the CPE for the registered and licensed professionals;

WHEREFORE, the Commission hereby RESOLVED, as it now RESOLVES, to prescribe, issue and promulgate the Revised Standardized Guidelines and Procedures for the Implementation of the Continuing Professional Education/Development (CPE/CPD) System for All Registered and Licensed Professionals, which is made the integral part hereof as Annex “A”.

This Resolution shall take effect after fifteen days following its complete and full publication, in the Official Gazette or any newspaper of general circulation.

Done in the City of Manila, this 1st day of August, 2008.


Sgd. Leonor Tripon-Rosero
Secretary

Sgd. Ruth Raña-Padilla
Commissioner

Nilo L. Rosas
Commissioner

Date of Publication in the Official gazette: 10-6-08
Date of Effectivity: 10-22-08








ANNEX “A”

REVISED STANDARDIZED GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION/DEVELOPMENT (CPE/CPD) SYSTEM FOR ALL REGISTERED AND LICENSED PROFESSIONALS

Article I

CPE DEFINITION, OBJECTIVES, NATURE, AND RATIONALE

Section 1. Definition. – Continuing Professional Education (CPE) refers to the inculcation, assimilation and acquisition of knowledge, skills, proficiency and ethical and moral values, after the initial registration of a professional, that raise and enhance the professional’s technical skills and competence.

Section 2. Objectives. – The CPE Programs shall have these objectives: (1) To provide and ensure the continuous education of a registered professional with the latest trends in the profession brought about by modernization and scientific and technological advancement; (2) To raise and maintain the professional’s capability for delivering professional services; (3) To attain and maintain the highest standards and quality in the practice of his/her profession; (4) To comply with the professional’s continuing ethical requirements; (5) To make the professional globally competitive; and (6) To promote the general welfare of the public.

Section 3. Nature. – The CPE programs consist of properly planned and structured activities, the implementation requires the participation of a determined group of professionals to meet the requirements of maintaining and improving the occupational standards and ethics of the professionals.

Section 4. Rationale. – Compliance with the CPE program is deemed a moral obligation of each professional and within the context of the concerned professional’s code of ethics and is considered a necessary, effective and credible means of ensuring competence, integrity and global competitiveness of the professional in order to allow him/her to continue the practice of his/her profession.

Article II

THE CPE COUNCILS: CREATION, COMPOSITION, TERMS OF OFFICE, FUNCTIONS AND MEETINGS

Section 5. Creation. – Each of the concerned Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBs), upon the approval by the PRC (the “Commission”), shall create a Council within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this resolution. This shall be known as the CPE Council (the “CPEC” or the “Council”) which shall assist its corresponding PRB in implementing its CPE programs.

Section 6. Composition. – Each CPE Council shall be composed of a chairperson and two (2) members. The chairperson of each CPE Council shall be chosen from among the members of the PRB by the members themselves. The first member shall be the president, or in his absence or incapacity, any officer chosen by the Board of Directors of the Accredited Professional Organization (APO). The second member shall be the president or, in his absence or incapacity, any officer of the organization of deans or department heads of schools, colleges or universities offering the course requiring licensure examination. In the absence of such organization, the second member shall be chosen and appointed by the PRC from at least three (3) recommendees of the PRB concerned. Said recommendees shall be academicians.

All members of the Council shall be appointed by the Commission and shall take their oath of office before any or all member/s of the Commission.

Section 7. Terms of Office. – The term of office of the chairperson of each Council shall be co-terminus with his/her incumbency in the PRC or determined by his/her capacity to fully discharge such functions. Should a change be required by the PRB before the end of the Council Chairperson’s incumbency, the necessary replacement shall be nominated/named by the simple majority of the PRB and thereafter appointed by the Commission in accordance with due process. The first member shall have a term of office co-terminus with his/her incumbency as officer of the APO; the second member shall have a term of office co-terminus with his/her incumbency as officer of the organization of deans or heads of departments. In the case of the academician chosen and appointed by the Commission, his/her term of office shall be two (2) years with one reappointment. Except in the case of the academician-member, upon the expiration of their respective terms of office in the PRB, APO or organization of deans or heads of departments, the chairperson, first member and second member shall continue to function as such in the Council until the appointment or election of their respective successors in the PRB, APO or organization.

Section 8. Exercise of Powers and Functions. – Each Council shall, upon a majority vote, exercise powers and functions which shall include but shall not be limited to the following:

1. Accept, evaluate and approve applications for accreditation of CPE providers.
2. Accept, evaluate and approve applications for accreditation of CPE programs, activities, or sources as to their relevance to the profession and determine the number of CPE credit units (CUs) to be earned on the basis of the contents of the program, activity or source submitted by the CPE providers.
3. Accept, evaluate and approve applications for exemptions from CPE requirements.
4. Monitor the implementation by the CPE providers of their programs, activities or sources.
5. Assess periodically and upgrade criteria for accreditation of CPE providers and CPE programs, activities or sources.
6. Perform such other related functions that may be incidental to the implementation of the CPE programs or policies.

Section 9. Function of the Council Chairperson. – Each Council Chairperson shall have the following functions:

1. To preside over the meetings of the Council.
2. To direct or supervise the activities of the Council.
3. To submit minutes of regular and special meetings within thirty (30) days from date of said meetings.
4. To submit Council annual reports before the end of February of the succeeding year.
5. To issue the certificate of accreditation (the “CoA”) to CPE providers found by the Council to be qualified in accordance with these Guidelines as well as the certificate of accreditation of program/s (the “CoAP”), activities and sources.

Section 10. Secretariat. – The Chairperson of the Commission shall designate or appoint an official of the Commission with the rank not lower than Division Chief who shall act as the Secretary of all CPE Councils. The designated official may participate in the deliberations of the CPE Councils but shall not vote. His/her main duties and functions shall be as follows:

1. To see to it that the sessions, meetings or proceedings of all the Councils are recorded;
2. To prepare the minutes of all meetings and proceedings of the Councils;
3. To receive applications for accreditation of CPE providers, programs, activities or sources;
4. To submit to the Councils applications for accreditation of aspiring CPE providers and CPE programs, activities or sources;
5. To release Certificates of Accreditation to CPE providers and programs, activities or sources;
6. To assist the Councils by providing relevant statistical data on the renewal of professional licenses and other related matters.

The Secretary shall exercise general supervision and control over each of the Council Secretaries, the staff of which shall be selected by the Chairperson of the Commission from among the existing personnel of the Commission. Each of the Council Secretaries shall have, among others, the following functions:

1. To release CPE certifications of credit units (the “CUs”) earned to the registered and licensed professionals concerned;
2. To keep all records, papers and other documents relative to the evaluation, approval and accreditation of CPE programs, activities or sources.
3. To maintain records of accredited CPE providers, ongoing, continuing or completed CPE programs, activities or sources, the list of participants and other relevant data.

Section 11. Meetings. – The Council shall hold regular meetings once a month on dates to be fixed by said Councils. Special meetings shall be called by a Chairperson or upon written request of at least a member of a CPE Council.

Section 12. Budgetary Requirements. – Direct costs and other expenses of all the Councils may be provided for in the annual Commission Budget.

Section 13. Involvement of the Accredited Professional Organization (APO). – The Council, if the need arises, and upon approval of the Commission, may delegate the APO the processing of the application, keeping of all records of CPE providers and their respective programs and credit units (CUs) earned by each registered and licensed professional who avail of the CPE programs and related functions. For this purpose, the APO may create a counterpart CPE Council know as the APO CPE Council (the “APO-CPEC”) and mask for reimbursement of reasonable processing and recordkeeping fees directly from the applicants apart from the accreditation fee that such applicants pay directly to the Commission. The APO CPEC shall keep separate books of accounts of its expenses and amounts collected from applicants and make a monthly report thereof to the Commission through the PRB. Any excess collection shall be used exclusively as working capital of the APO for the CPE activities.

IPCAP 2nd National Convention

This is just to announce that IPCAP will be holding its 2nd National Convention and 1st General membership meeting this coming April 14-16, 2010 (Wednesday-Thursday-Friday) at the University of the East, Recto Ave, Manila Please keep tab here in the coming days when we will publish our formal invite. The theme is related to the many roles of the Guidance Counselor in our Society wherever we are. We have ready 6 workshops from which each participant may attend two workshops. We shall be making this event one for CPE accreditation good for at least 20 hours of credit units (CU).

Meanwhile, there shall be published here in the coming days as well the often heard but never-read written PRC Guidelines for conducting CPE as well as crediting CPE units. IPCAP has always been of the spirit of transparency, making every Registered Guidance Counselors aware and knowledgeable about the documents related to our profession (so we don't end up feeling duped or swindled of our hard-earned money, something we would not want to waste on organizational expenses that lead to nowhere) but focused on the development of the Guidance and Counseling profession and its practitioners. Rest assured we at IPCAP only want us to advocate for the erasure of corruption in our midst by printing here what we must know so we end up happy and satisfied, competent and confident in our work wherever we are.

Also in the next few days, we shall also be publishing here the list of active IPCAP members.

Yes, by the way, please go to your city or municipal hall and pay your PTR (professional tax receipt) at the Treasurer's Office. In Quezon CIty, we were made to pay for P300 per year (payable on January of every year). There were some of us who didn't pay their PTRs in the year/s following the release of their PRC ID and were penalized with paying that unpaid year/s plus penalties. Likewise, we realized that the PTR in the provinces appears to be lower - one RGC reported that P150 was paid, not P300. I bet we believe the government deserves our tax with the many needs it can provide with our taxes. Di po me sipsip hehe. Just doing our moral obligation to the state. Of course we do our part as well to expose what must be exposed so we have updates of our situation and reduce, if we cannot easily erase the evil in our midst that impoverishes us.

Yan na muna. God bless and take care

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