Faculty and doctorate students from the Graduate Program in Guidance and Counseling at Cebu Technological University–Main Campus successfully conducted a Psychological First Aid (PFA) session for pre-service working scholars of Cebu Caritas Inc., beneficiaries of the GAA-funded ESKOLAR (Batch 2) Extension Project spearheaded by the CTU Main-College of Education.
The session, held on November 23, 2025 at the Cebu Caritas Building in Cebu City, was organized in response to the recent earthquake and Typhoon Tino, with the aim of supporting scholars’ emotional well-being and reinforcing community resilience amid heightened stress and disrupted routines.
Present at the event were project leader Dr. Melona C. Deguma, together with faculty members Dr. Jabin J. Deguma, Prof. Glenn Penoza, and Dr. Mario Pardillo, who provided guidance and expertise throughout the session. They were joined by doctorate students from the Guidance and Counseling Program, whose active participation underscores CTU’s commitment to community-engaged learning and the professional formation of future mental health practitioners.
The initiative underscores CTU Main–COED’s commitment to mobilizing graduate students in providing responsive and empathetic psychological support, transforming academic training into compassionate action for young scholars navigating academic and socioeconomic challenges heightened by recent calamities.
Anchored in the values of perseverance, resilience, and purpose-driven education, the ESKOLAR (Batch 2) Extension Project addresses the growing challenges faced by today’s youth. Through active listening, guided reflection, and coping-centered strategies, the PFA session empowered scholars to remain emotionally grounded during adversity.
As CTU–Main College of Education continues to advance mental health advocacy and community upliftment, this initiative stands as a testament to its mission: to cultivate adaptive, compassionate, and resilient learners prepared to rise above challenges and contribute to community well-being.
