Page 23 - BSP Gazette

VIRTUAL

MERIENTORING 2021

By: Patricia Alasco | BSP 1

2021: EMBRACE THE NEW NORMAL. ACKNOWLEDGE. ADJUST. ACHIEVE

Every year, the Psychology Society celebrates the Merientoring (merienda and mentoring) to
ensure that both students and mentors are physically, mentally, and emotionally well. Due to

the pandemic, the mentoring was held virtually (Virual Merientoring) on April 7, 2021. From the
traditional practice of meeting physically while sharing some snacks, this time it was done on
screen where students prepared their food and shared them virtually. This year's theme is

2021: Embrace the New Normal. Acknowledge. Adjust. Achieve and all the attendees wore
yellow and grey to compliment with the given theme.

The session was started by the Psychology sophomores, Ms. Shanes Mendoza and Mr. Louis
Haban, who introduced the guest speaker, Ms. Mary Rachelle Carpiso-Batanes. The speaker

shared her insightful thoughts and inspirations about "Mental Health Imprints in the New
Normal." The activities continued with the intermission Tiktok dance number performed by
Psychology Society officers; Dominic Javier, Danie Garcia, JB Caranay, and Patricia Alasco,
which provided a welcome break and showcased some excellent dancing abilities. This was

followed by a great Chikahan session with Psychology Society officers, Jj Jamias, Khryzelle
Grace Lorilla, Hannah Corpuz, and Fritz Christian Pacson, in which they shared their

unforgettable Merientoring encounters and stories. Students were eventually split into groups
and assigned to breakout quarters. The students answered the SISC counseling form and have
shared their experiences, the challenges they faced, and the things they are comfortable

sharing with their mentors. Mentors listened to the stories shared by the students and gave
pieces of advice to inspire and motivate them.

Following the Merientoring session, Mr. John Edryck Alvarado and Ms. Khryzelle Grace Lorilla
hosted games for the Psychology Society. The game was called "Four Pics & One Word," and it
allowed all psych students to participate, enjoy and guess the word. Awards were also given to

the students who came the earliest, and for those who made extra effort with their outfits. Mr.
Ramon Cantre and Ms. Carmela Daquila, freshmen students have received the "Early Bird
Awards." Mr. Ramil Salasain received the award for "Gorgeous Male of the Day," while Ms.

Julianna Palma awarded as "Blooming Female of the Day." Certificates were also awareded to
the mentors for devoting their time and effort for the Virtual Merientoring. The mentors were
Ms. Juli-Ann A. Balmonte, Ms. Marinela Y. Paulino, Ms. Diana S. Imperio, and Mr. Christoff C.

Graza. Ending the event with the heartfelt closing remarks of Ms. Belen Mandin and Dean Ruel
Cajili’s speech. Before parting, the PAPJA Psyclip entry was also shown for the first time. The
Psychology Society expresses its gratitude to all of the psychology students who came to

watch and participate in the event.