PAP 53rd ANNUAL CONVENTION 2016

53rd Annual Convention of Psychological Association of the Philippines

Theme: “Strengthening the Bond of Research and Practice in Philippine Psychology”

Venue: Fontana Leisure Parks & Casino Convention Hall
C.M. Recto Highway, Pampanga
Date: 14-16 September 2016 (Wednesday to Friday) 
Local Host: Angeles University Foundation

I happen to meet a lot of people from various places in the Philippines and from various universities.

I was inspired by plenary speakers namely: Elizabeth R. Ventura, Ph.D. (Outstanding Psychologist PRC 2016), Edna P. Franco, Ph.D., and Betty C. McCann, Ph.D. But what really captivated my heart was the brief advice from one of the outstanding psychologists this year, Dr. Cristina Jayme Montiel.

Stolen shot from afar I was able to actively participate, ask some questions, and to enjoy the convention. If you were to ask what are things that I learned at the convention, then this post is not sufficient. Admittedly, I was able to anchor my knowledge and skills by attending the convention which made me realized that I have a long way to go in mastering my field but I am too far from what I used to be *as the adage says*. I will post only the essential parts of the convention, symposiums, and learning sessions *the things that I remember hehe*. I attended all chosen symposiums except for the post-convention seminar since all of the slots were full. :'(

Day 1 Opening of the Convention: A Day of Inspiration

The plenary speakers discussed the "Linking Research and Practice: Challenges and Opportunities," “Scholarship in the Practice of Human Resource and Organization Development: Tying a Slippery Knot," and "Re-imagining the Integration of Research in the Teaching and Practice of Psychology." I also attended different symposiums (see the program that includes the symposiums that I attended). The symposium that I will never forget on this day was the exploratory research entitled, “The Men Who Can't Move: Filipino men's reasons for staying in an abusive relationship” by  Khael Quinain, Michael Rey Balongcas, Kathleen Chiu, Mary Jasmine Cruz, Susan Mollaneda, and Ella Navarro from University of San Carlos. There, I noticed the reaction of women’s reactions when the male presenter read the transcript of a man’s response to his wife wielding a bolo to threaten him. The response of some women there was to laugh as if it was not a serious issue. Men can also be a target of violence by women who are domineering and abusive. That moment, I realized by observing and hearing the laughs of some women in the audience validated that men are, indeed, can be victims of abusive relationships.

Ethics in Teaching by Dr. Alampay

Day 2: Symposiums, Meeting Per Division, and Fellowship

One of the learning sessions that I love was the “Ethics in Teaching” by Ms. Liane Alampay from Ateneo De Manila University.  I learned in this session some of the basic tools to improve the ethical way of teaching the young students and at the same time protecting oneself from the eyes of your students. It raised an awareness of ethical principles and practices that scaffold the integrity of a teacher as well as to promote respectful and harmonious relationships with your students and colleagues.

Ms. Maureen Lara, Presenter College Admission Scores and Academic Performance Predicting Success of Psychometrician Licensure Examination

I attended the Industrial/Organizational Division Meeting. Dr. Joice Dy discussed the Continuing Professional Development issues and the process of how I/O division will partake in providing CPD points and evaluating its members. I am happy to share that I am Level 6 as of this moment with Level 7 as the highest level.

At 6:00 PM onwards, my friends and I participated the fellowship event with cultural arts and dance performance organized by Angeles University Foundation. I enjoyed this so much.

They sang like angels. They brought heaven on earth. It was a splendid performance plus I got a cute trident key chain (Mababaw no? ahahaha) from them! It was a night of enjoyment and entertainment!

Day 3: Last Day of Fun

Unfortunately, this was the last day of learning new things. I attended the Medmom’s presentation regarding the implementation of community-based child and family mental health. This presentation perfectly helped me to understand the key factors in program implementation such as (a) securing support form key stakeholders, (b) providing leadership for implementation and change, (c) providing effective training and technical assistance, (d) creating effective and sustainable structures that support implementation, and (e) carefully monitoring how well the interventions adapt to the needs of the population. It described the inter-institutional collaboration and mental health program implementation as discussed. I also got a chance to have a glimpse of how they manage to implement mental health activities for cancer patients.

I would like to end this post for the nth time with a captivating wisdom from one of the outstanding psychologists of 2016, Dr. Cristina Jayme Montiel:

1. Think first quietly or you will fall.

2. Keep your knees bent all the time.

3. End the spot where you started.

Well, I guess I know where I am heading to.