NBSC EXPLORES EMERGING APPROACHES IN TRAUMA WORK THROUGH ACTIVE PARTICIPATION
Northern Bukidnon State College (NBSC) took part in the 1st Psychotrauma National Conference held at MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) on November 13–14, 2025, with Ms. Maria Michaela Q. Jamora, MS, Office Head of the International Affairs and External Linkages Office (IAELO), representing the institution. The event centered on the theme “Multi-Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Approaches of Psychotrauma Work in the Philippines.”
Day 1 commenced with an invocation and national anthem by the MSU-IIT Octava Choral Society, followed by opening remarks from Prof. Pamela F. Resurreccion, Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, MSU-IIT. The session proceeded with the introduction of participants and the keynote address of Dr. Johnny B. Decatoria, President of the National Association for Psychotrauma Workers Corporation (NAPWorC).
The first plenary featured Dr. Imelu G. Mordeno, Professor at MSU-IIT and Executive Director of the Research Institute for Business Education, Health and Social Sciences (RIBEHSS), who discussed a public mental health approach to trauma. An open forum closed the morning activities. In the afternoon, delegates joined break-out sessions and program preparations, which later led into evening socials. The evening segment included performances by the Kalimulan Cultural Dance Troupe and MSU-IIT performers, a dinner with a band, short messages by Dr. Leo Labrador of Central Mindanao University (CMU) and Mindanao Coordinator of NAPWorC, and time for informal exchanges among attendees.
Day 2 began with registration and immediately shifted into Plenary Session 3A, “The Science of Recovery: Interventions for Posttraumatic Distress,” moderated by Dr. Mordeno. This portion was held at the MSU-IIT Gymnasium, where parallel sessions also took place. One such parallel session focused on “The Burden of Trauma: Psychological Distress among Vulnerable Populations,” and under this track was the research entry Ms. Jamora presented titled as, “Examining the Relationship between Anxiety, Depression, and Coping Strategies among Cancer Patients.” This setting enabled direct engagement with audiences moving between different research tracks within the venue.
Subsequent plenaries covered Brain Spotting with Dr. Rodel Payumo Canlas of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), healing childhood trauma presented by Fr. Edgardo De Jesus, Ph.D., trauma-informed institutional care by Dr. Miriam P. Cue of the Professional Regulatory Board of Psychology (PRB Psychology) at the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), EMDR for children with Dr. Labrador, and practical field insights from Dr. Jose Jeffrey Puentespina of the University of Negros Occidental–Recoletos and the University of St. La Salle (USLS), followed by question-and-answer segments.
NBSC’s involvement in the conference allowed the college to gain insights on emerging practices in trauma research and professional approaches. These takeaways can inform the development of programs, academic initiatives, and internal planning. The experience also helps NBSC strengthen its connections with the broader professional and academic community, supporting its role in advancing institutional priorities.
