By Jason Manaois

The Southeast Asia Researchers' Network (SEARN) aims to provide a wider access to the crucial information on sexual reproductive health and rights for researchers and organizations from both the academe and non-academic backgrounds.

As it provides a venue for the exchange of information and collective decision-making among researchers towards providing inputs to policy and program interventions, both at the local and regional levels, SEARN-Philippines was formally organized, with the leadership of Xavier Ateneo Psychology faculty member Dr Joey Marie Jegonia as SEARN-Philippines consultant.

The Philippine group started to organize with the Mindanao Region cluster and selected XU Psychology faculty members attended the said meeting last January 9 at Ateneo de Davao University in Davao City.

With the launching of the organization’s website, five student researches from XU Psychology Department were selected as part of the first batch of researches to be uploaded online.

Xavier researches were student outputs from their subjects, namely, Filipino Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Experimental Psychology, and Psychology Research (Thesis).

Liwanag sa Dilim: Mga Kwento ng Pagbangon ng mga Taong may HIV/AIDS
Subject: Filipino Psychology
Mentor: Janet Ibale, RGC
Name of Author: Jason Ang
Name of Co-authors: Maureen Marie Avila, Missy Filoteo, Krizza Mae Salugsugan, Kathleen Mae Sedigo, and Ima Junia Yamut

Focus Group Research: A Study on People Living with HIV as a Group
Subject: Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Mentor: Jason Manaois, RPm
Name of Author: Missy Filoteo
Name of Co-authors: Krizza Mae Salugsugan, Kathleen Mae Sedigo, and Ima Junia Yamut

Ako ay isang Beki: Mga Storya ng Paglaladlad
Subject: Filipino Psychology
Mentor: Janet Ibale, RGC
Name of Author: Maggie Ruth Candia
Name of Co-authors: Glea Auguia Cocamas, Ma Theresa Jabar, and Regina Rose Rafol

The Effects of Homosexual Content Visual Stimulus and Attitudes of Heterosexuals towards Homosexuals
Subject: Experimental Psychology
Mentor: Nadine Angeli Abellera, MA Candidate
Name of Author: Kathleen Mae Sedigo
Name of Co-authors: Jason Ang, Andrea Ines Echem, Missy Filoteo, Beia Lyka Pabelonio, Krizza Mae Salugsugan

The Subjective Well-Being of Filipino LGBT Parents
Subject: Psychology Research (Thesis)
Mentor: Gail Conway, MA
Name of Author: Ann Jenny Borromeo
Name of Co-authors: Margareth Deins Cachuela, John McKinley Lago, Sarah Lois Magbanua, and Jaymar Patana

Local researchers on SRHR can play a significant role in creating a more responsive, community-driven and progressive cadre of researches who will work towards the regular generation and sharing of strategic information on LGBTI rights, HIV-AIDS education, and key population issues in ASEAN countries (Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, East Timor, and the Philippines).

The network also believes that researches, both qualitative and quantitative, form the basis of policy. The policies that would later lead to interventions and programs that would address the issues, and ultimately, be a tool towards social change and a better society. ∎