COMING TOGETHER. The Psychological Association of the Philippines draws together psychologists, psychometricians, mental health practitioners, and members of the academe, including current PAP members and prospects at the organization's regional assembly hosted by Xavier University. Supplied photo.

Report by Rio Rosal B Baliling, Psychology Department

The Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP), together with Xavier University’s Psychology Department, held this year’s regional assembly on June 18 at the XU Little Theater.

Psychologists, psychometricians, mental health practitioners, and members of the academe, including current PAP members and prospects attended the said event.

Established in 1962, PAP is “an organization committed to the promotion of excellence in the teaching, research, and practice of Psychology, and its recognition as a scientifically-oriented discipline for human and social development.”

Xavier’s College of Arts and Sciences dean Dr Juliet Q Dalagan welcomed the participants of the regional assembly aimed at strengthening members’ involvement in the organization.

ACADEMIC LEADERS. (L-R) PAP board of directors’ member Dr Glenn Glarino, XU academic vice-president Fr Rene Tacastacas SJ, PAP vice-president Dr Margaret Helen Alvarez, and PAP internal relations officer Dr Nelly Limbadan strike a pose after the regional assembly at Xavier. Supplied photo. 

PAP’s vice-president Dr Margaret Helen Alvarez, internal relations officer Dr Nelly Limbadan, and board of directors’ member Dr Glenn Glarino facilitated the talk on the changes to be implemented in the organization. They noted that 2016 is the transition period for PAP and the new guidelines will take effect next year.

During the consultation part of the assembly, the three PAP leaders addressed various concerns of the attendees on the membership system, licensure and license renewal requirements, certification in different fields of the psychology practice, continuing professional education, PAP special interest groups, and regionalization.

This event also provided the student-members of XU Psychology Society a glimpse of the professional benefits and perks of being a PAP member, including the opportunity to meet other people with whom they share the same interests.

XU academic vice-president Fr Rene Tacastacas SJ, in his closing message, hopes that PAP continues its commitment to fortify and capacitate its members towards personal and professional growth and social transformation.

PAP will hold its 53rd annual convention from September 14 to 16 in Clark Angeles, Pampanga. ∎