University News

74th Guidance Awareness Month Highlights Student Wellness through Series of Activities

Aella Marie Pusod And Karylle Anne Cabugos, News, Communication Management Office

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Sintang Paaralan is putting student well-being at the forefront of its 74th Guidance Awareness Month, promoting mental health, self-awareness, and connection through activities organized by the Office of Counseling and Psychological Services (OCPS).

The month-long celebration began on October 1, 2026, with the first-year orientation and continued on October 8 with initiatives on wellness, inclusivity, and self-expression.

Held at Bulwagang Bonifacio, Sta. Mesa Campus, Manila, the opening orientation, themed “Starting the PUPian Journey: Understanding Yourself, Embracing Realities, and Shaping Your Aspirations,” introduced incoming students to guidance services and encouraged them to recognize their needs as they adjust to university life.

For Niña Jana Bastol, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science student, the session offered practical insight into managing burnout. 

“Nakatulong po yung orientation kung paano ipa-process kapag nakaranas ng burnout,” she shared. 

(The orientation helped me understand how to process experiences of burnout.)

Bachelor of Science in Information Technology students Johnmer Uy, Althea Samar, April Grefalda, Carlo Garcia, and Dan Borile identified “Awareness,” “Learning,” and “Holistic” as their key takeaways, highlighting that vulnerability is not weakness. 

Reign Kashley Pauline F. Del Monte of KATAGA (Kapatiran ng Talino at Galing), under the Office of Scholarships and Financial Assistance (OSFA), also emphasized that free higher education does not automatically eliminate every student's difficulty, making awareness of available assistance essential.

The celebration continued on October 8 through the W.I.S.H. (Wellness, Inclusivity, Self-Expression, and Harmony) Bus, which drew students and faculty near the Charlie del Rosario Building. Inspired by Wish 107.5, the University bus served as a singing stage, while aspiration walls and a photobooth provided spaces for students and faculty to express themselves and connect with one another.

For first-year Bachelor of Science in Psychology student Divine Grace Yruma, the activity meant more than entertainment. Amid the university's hybrid learning setup, it gave students an opportunity to reconnect in person. 

“Sinusulit po namin yung time na ‘to para magkita-kita,” Yruma said. 

(We're making the most of this opportunity to see one another)

Jonalyn D. Pamintuan, RGC, of the OCPS Guidance and Counseling Service, said the W.I.S.H. Bus aimed to engage students through recreational activities they enjoy, citing the strong turnout at the previous year's Zumba event at C.M. Recto.

This celebration aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 4 on Quality Education, SDG 5 on Gender Equality, and SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals. From helping freshmen understand and navigate their struggles to creating opportunities for students to reconnect and engage in wellness initiatives, PUP’s Guidance Awareness Month highlights the vital role of support in student life