Assoc. Prof. Marshaley J. Baquiano (left) from the University of Guam and UP CoPES Volunteer was the resource speaker, and Asst. Prof. Rachelle Bersamin (right) from the Department of Social Sciences of UP Mindanao and UP CoPES Representative for UP Mindanao Ugnayan ng Pahinungód served as the host of the webinar titled “Mag-isaisip: Conversations on Mindfulness.”

The Ugnayan ng Pahinungod University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) hosted a webinar titled “Mag-isaisip: Conversations on Mindfulness” on 16 May 2022.  The webinar is the fifth and last in the Lusog-Isip series organized by the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod Committee on Psychosocial Emergency Services (CoPES). The virtual event was streamed live via Facebook and YouTube platforms.

Assoc. Prof. Marshaley J. Baquiano from the University of Guam and UP CoPES Volunteer was the resource speaker for this episode. Asst. Prof. Rachelle Bersamin from the Department of Social Sciences of UP Mindanao and UP CoPES Representative for UP Mindanao Ugnayan ng Pahinungód served as the host.  

Dr. Baquiano opened the discussion by sharing that the ability to focus on something is a vital skill in dealing with one of the biggest issues we face today, which is stress.  She asserted that mindfulness can help us cope with stress.  She defined mindfulness as the state of intentional, non-judgmental focus on the present moment.  She clarified that mindfulness is living in the now, paying attention in a particular way, and it involves acceptance and friendliness to whatever is experienced, rather than the habitual patterns of judgment and criticism.

Asst. Prof. Baquiano shared the following psychological, physiological, and spiritual benefits of mindfulness:

  • increased awareness of one’s mind
  • significantly reduced stress, anxiety, and negative emotions
  • increased control over ruminative thinking, which is a major cause and symptom of depression and anxiety
  • increased mental flexibility and focus
  • improves short term memory and processing speed
  • decreased distracting thoughts and emotional reactivity
  • increased capacity for intentional, responsive behaviors
  • enhanced immune system functioning
  • increased brain density and neural integration
  • lowered blood pressure and levels of stress hormones
  • increased self-insight, self-acceptance, compassion, empathy, and sense of morality

Dr. Baquiano also cited some common mindfulness techniques, such as mindful breathing, body scan, mindful eating, loving kindness meditation, and mindful movement.  She tackled some common problems associated with executing mindfulness exercises and gave specific movements and activities that will help alleviate such problems.  She closed her talk by reminding the participants to take a moment to check in with themselves and be more mindful the next time they feel anxious, stressed, and uncomfortable.

The presentation was followed by a short Q&A session, where concerns on sustaining and staying committed with mindfulness, suitability of mindfulness, and personalities appropriate for mindfulness, to name a few, were tackled.

CoPES is one of the systemwide programs which aims to strengthen the capacities of UP constituents and partner communities towards psychosocial well-being through its three-fold components – Kamalayan (Awareness-building), Ugnayan (Networking), and Kasanayan (Training).  The Ugnayan ng Pahinungód is the official volunteer program of the University of the Philippines.

 The entire episode of “Mag-isaisip: Conversations on Mindfulness” can be viewed via the UPOU Networks – Multimedia Center Facebook page.

Sustainable Development Goals

Written by Jaime P. Guimbao

Edited by Myra C. Almodiel and Anna Cañas-Llamas

#UPOpenUniversity

The IFSS 2025 formally concluded with a meaningful closing ceremony.UPOU Assoc. Prof. Finaflor F. Taylan, DProfSt, Chair of the IFSS 2025 Program Committee, delivered a synthesis of the forum, emphasizing the values aligned with the discussion areas of the IFSS2025. She ended with a call to continually act together for justice, for regeneration, for a future where everyone has just not food, but dignity, health, and the opportunity thrive.An exchange of institutional gifts was held among the representatives from UPOU, DOST, TUPV, STI West Negros University, and Negros Power.Certificates of participation were awarded to all participants of IFSS 2025.The Best Paper Award was conferred by Dr. Gerome Salas, member of the IFSS 2025 Paper Committee to the following winners:- Arwen Jover, Joval Martinez, Aran Jay Nonato, Raezel Harvey Pitong, and Angel Hope Robles with their paper entitled “Functional Characterization of Potassium Solubilization Potential of Hot Spring-Derived Thermophilic Bacteria for Sustainable Agricultural Biofertilizer Development." (Best Paper Award)- Thushari Senavirathna and Brian Dunsford with their paper entitled "Bamboo Pots (Bambusa vulgaris) as a Circular and Regenerative Alternative in Tea (Camellia sinensis) Nurseries." (2nd Best Paper Award)- Gregorio Crisostomo, Crizel Ann Biton, Henmark De la Cruz, Ma. Korina Claudia Hinayan, Ronald Ray Labayen, Charisse Pesquera, Jayboy Santillan, and Joel Manuel Villaluz with their paper entitled "Multi-Crop Powder Processing Machine for Enhancing the Value of Root Crops in Negros." (3rd Best Paper Award)The Best Poster Award was presented by Dr. Gerald Salas, Member of the IFSS 2025 Awards Committee, to Gregorio Crisostomo with his paper entitled “Development of a Portable Solar-Powered Mechanized Silk Reeling Device for Sustainable Silk Production of Rural Negros Island Farmers."The Best Sustainable Showcase Award of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fair was presented by Engr. Glady T. Reyes, Co-Chair of the IFSS 2025 SDG Fair Committee, to Subay Marketing.Engr. Allan Francis Dara-ug, Provincial Director of the DOST Negros Island Region, delivered his closing remarks with a hope that the seeds planted in IFSS 2025 continue to grow, flourish and bear fruit for generations to come.#IFSS2025 #Sustainability ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Twitter feed is not available at the moment.