As part of the MC Department of Psychology Padayon program, graduate students embarked on two community extension services that aim to apply the principles of Psychology in bridging hope and empowerment to communities through wellness sessions with Plan International Philippines and Pilipina Inc.. Padayon is a Visayan term which means, “continuing on”.

Psychology students, led by Miriam College Psychology Department chair Dr. Grace Brillantes-Evangelista, facilitated a one-day psychosocial session for well-being for the Emergency Response Team of Plan International Philippines who were deployed in various parts of the country to  respond to the needs of the communities affected by the Mt. Mayon eruption, typhoon Vinta, and the Marawi crisis. It was held on July 25, 2018 at One Pacific Place, Makati City.

These students were Edna Costuna (PhD), Catherine Pestaño, Lovelia Iringan, Roselyn Dimasuay, and Christian Jordan, John Manzano (MA) and Kristine Mendoza (MA).

In a separate activity, graduate students together with the alumna of the Department of Psychology facilitated an extension service in collaboration with Pilipina Inc. It was held on October 7, 2018 at the Immaculate Conception Parish, Camarin, Caloocan.

They conducted arts and play-based wellness activities with children of indigent communities.

The activities provided a safe avenue where the participants engaged in story-telling and play and learned emotional management strategies through mindfulness.

The team was composed of PhD students Catherine Pestaño, Iyah Sanchez, Jona Valdez, Lovelia Iringan, and Rachel Peddy; MA students Hyra Torres, Mizpah Bunyi, Rhoanne Ramas, Vienna Magbuhos; and MA Psychology alumna Grac Lee. The team was supervised by Dr. Grace Brillantes-Evangelista in the planning and drafting of the session module.