Psychology Students Attend PH’s Psychological Association Convention

Twenty-eight students from the Silliman University Psychology Department attended the 30th Psychological Association of the Philippines Junior Affiliates (PAPJA) Convention at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City on January 20 to 21.

The PAPJA Convention is an annual gathering of select Psychology undergraduate students in the Philippines. This year’s convention focused “Emphasizing the Importance of Mental Health in the Philippine Society”, and served as a venue for the sharing of recent developments in the field of psychology as a science, exposure to the practice of psychology through workshops, exchange of ideas, and fellowship.

The Silliman students who attended the said convention were:

Alexandra Alas
Mary Hope Alferez
Simon Alvarez
Jethro Arias
Nikki Belgira
Ruhel Besinga
Les Mis Bustamante
Sean Caballes
Jasmine Castillon
Cyress Cervantes
Catherine Damayo
Sherra Deomampo
Julina Eder
Yaqin Ekong
Divine Galisa
Zoe Hernando
Monika Rae Horca
Kristel Juguilon
Cyd Elneth Gia Maclachalan
Jesman Kyle Manzano
Ma. Lourdes Angelica Mercolita
Soyoung Min
Leonalie Patina
Kerry Patron
Nicole Romero
Richette Sobong
Bea Tabilon
Rochele Toseta

Senior Psychology student Sean Caballes said that the convention has made clearer to him the stigma that comes with suffering mental health problems.

“Taking care of our mental health is as important as maintaining our physical health… Individuals who suffer from mental health problems should seek help,” said Caballes, adding that those who are in positions to help are equipped and continuously being equipped to do something about it.

The PAPJA Convention is organized by the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP), which Dr. Margaret Helen Udarbe-Alvarez, Silliman’s director of the Research and Development Center, is currently president of.