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Learning Beyond Impossibilities

11:00 AM

Not all heroes wear capes, some wear cochlear implants – and, well, hearing aids. On April 21, 2018, Saturday, the Civil Law Auditorium of the University of Santo Tomas became the venue for learning beyond, entitled, “Learning Beyond Impossibilities”.

The event was created by the 4SLP students of the UST SLP Department, Batch 2019. The event aimed to equip its audience with facts and stories about hearing loss and the measures we can take. Posters were put up near the UST Botanical Garden to aid the presentation of awareness towards the Thomasian community.

Starting the afternoon, Santino Palafox shared his experiences on dealing with hearing loss. Palafox was diagnosed to have profound hearing loss and was fitted with hearing aids at 5 months, and then experienced a cochlear implant surgery at 13 months. He said that, “My wish for all hearing loss kids is to have easier access to hearing aids, cochlear implants, and therapy classes.”

Palafox told the audience his journey with hearing loss. “Don’t let anybody tell you [that] you can’t because you can”, he stressed. Palafox has just graduated from Ateneo De Manila GS with Merit awards/Co-curricular awards showing the audience that family support and early intervention can provide a more optimal life for the individual with hearing loss.

Games where presented afterwards: the whisper challenge and the classic “hep-hep hooray” with the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) students and the Health Allied Strand students of the Senior High School. Palafox also became one of the participants.

The next speaker was Dr. Benedict Baguyo from the Better Hearing Philippines, Inc. (BHPI). BHPI, formerly called Task Force on the Prevention of Hearing Loss, assists in the prevention of hearing loss, primary health care-based control of hearing impairment, and the community-based improvement in the quality of life for the hearing impaired and their families.

The speaker shared that 28% of Filipinos have hearing impairments with ear wax or impacted cerumen as the most probable cause. He also shared the laws, policies, benefits, and packages that exists for hearing loss. He shared that hearing aids and speech therapy may soon be accessible to all with its inclusion in PhilHealth packages. He shared the ways to advocate for the hearing loss regardless of the age.

Another intermission number was presented, wherein 4SLP students, Junella Mendoza and Ann Abanilla serenaded the audience with their own version of Paramore’s “You are the Only Exception”. They were followed by the performance of Maby Bagalay, Rain Laurel, and Maki Solomon (4SLP) as they sang, “A Million Dreams” from the Greatest Showman soundtrack. The audience sang along with enthusiasm.

The last speaker of the day, Dr. Lloyd Crizaldo, presented the Dos and Don’ts of Listening. He presented the factors that causes the probable hearing losses. “Noise induced hearing loss is preventable,” he reminded. He also shared the ten facts about hearing loss from the World Health Organization (WHO), saying that though all of them are important, the tenth step should never be ignored: Hearing loss is preventable through public health actions.

Crizaldo then emphasized that every single individual from health professionals to manufacturers should act out their role to assist the prevention of hearing loss.

Phyllicia Mercado, the leader of the 4SLP project, presented the closing remarks for “Embracing diversity and overcoming adversity”. She concluded that the program was about finding our roles and finding light to the cause. She shared that through an outcome may seem impossible, to overcome an adversity, the only need is to embrace the diversity. – Madelyn Escario

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SLP Society holds Seminar on Gadget Use and its Effects

7:12 PM

Today, children as young as three years old have been accustomed to using gadgets such as cellphones and tablets. Despite the many precautions on its effect to childhood development, the use of such technology is still on the rise especially in the younger population. Such was the topic of discussion last April 21, as the Speech-Language Pathology Society held a seminar titled, “Strengthening the Future: Raising Awareness on the Effects of Gadgets to our Children.”
The first resource speaker was Ms. Josefina Era who has an on-going dissertation for a Doctorate degree in Philosophy major in Child and Family Studies. She is a licensed professional teacher with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Education majoring in Childhood Education. She described the Digital Generation and how the use of gadgets affects their everyday interactions. She also pointed out the consequences that might arise in all areas of development such as greater risk in eye problems, expressive language and speech delay, and impaired social skills.

“Connect person to person. The one who spends time with me is the one who loves me,” said Era as she explained that the best way to nurture children is to connect with them during the early years of their life. She advised parents to prioritize relationships and to have balance within the household, ending with the message that real relationships cannot be replaced by gadgets and digital media.
The second speaker was UST-SLP alumnus Mr. Ken Dizon. He is the head SLP at Apple Tree Integrated School, a senior consultant, and is part of the group of Starkey Hearing Foundation. He taught parents strategies and techniques to facilitate speech and language by making their homes a language-rich environment. He started with a discussion on how SLPs can train parents to become better teachers at home. He also gave a brief explanation on childhood development in terms of speech and language.

Dizon proceeded to teaching techniques such as using the child’s environment to introduce new concepts as well as having a book to encourage reading and facilitate learning. Citing sources, he also explained that there are both positive and negative effects associated with the use of gadgets. Therefore, these can be used to promote learning and must be regulated to be able to reduce its harmful effects.
The event ended with an open forum where students, teachers, and parents could ask the speakers regarding their concerns. Certificates were then awarded by SLP Society External Vice President, Phyllicia Mercado. - Vianca Ocampo

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All Aboard: A Day of Play Around The World

3:34 PM

Education Playground--- Under the brilliant sun on a Saturday morning, the future Speech Language Pathologists of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences gathered for their yearly Play Day. It was a sunny morning dedicated for the children with a variety of activities prepared by the students. Each batch was asked to come up with a theme—any annual celebration or festival that was celebrated as a tradition in a country.

The freshmen sailed through the south china sea and landed in China—choosing the theme Chinese New Year. Just like the colorful fireworks showcased every Chinese New Year, the activities that the freshmen prepared were all about the such. The children were all given printed sheets and a variety of crayons for them to color and delve into their artistic side.

On the other hand, the third-year students decided to showcase one of our country’s many traditions—the Imabayah Festival, celebrated by those who live in the Banawe Rice Terraces. The class prepared two activities for the children and divided themselves into two groups to manage the manpower. The activity of the first group was also about arts & crafts—specifically headdress making. Materials such as feathers, stitches, and coloring materials were given to the children for them to create their own headdress. For the second group, their activity was more active and required the children to do actions. It included two roulettes, one with action words that the child needs to follow before moving onto the next roulette—which contains the description of the object that the child will use to break the cups that are standing.

Last but definitely not the least, the fourth-year students chose a traditional Mexican Holiday—the Day of the Dead, celebrated to pray and remember friends and relatives who have passed away. As dark as it may seem, the festival actually makes use of colorful skeleton masks or face paint and flowers—which were evident in the class’ booth. Three activities were prepared: shooting balls and making it land on hats that had prizes in them; mask making; and pin the tail. As unique as it sounds, pin the tail is an activity with animals pinned on a board, the children blindfolded and the tasked to pin the tail on each animal.

Different themes with different activities-- yet there was a still a sense of unity among the batches. It was not only a day dedicated to children, it was a day for the students as well. Being able to interact with the children, mingling with them and socializing with other batches were also one of the many highlights in the event. Hearing the children laugh, squealing and seeing them run around and mingle with one another gives a sense of peace into each student’s heart.

SLP Laboratory--- While the kids were playing with the students, their parents were invited to a seminar held by the program’s very own Mara Jo Bondoc where she facilitated a discussion on parent education and the importance of home activities. The parents also got a chance to share their own ways of teaching their kids through play and everyday activities.

AMV Multi-Purpose Hall---After spending the day with the kids, the students were invited to a seminar that showcased different guests that overcame their disabilities and succeeded in achieving their dreams.

One guest was Karl Paolo Pingol who was the leading man of the movie Star na si Van Damme Stallone. His family also shared with the audience the importance of having a good support system.

Another star, Thara Marie Santiago, serenaded the audience with different songs such as The Climb despite having autism spectrum disorder. Her mother, Geeta Santiago, shared the hardships their family endured throughout their journey of taking care of Thara. However, she expressed how proud she is now with all the success Thara has achieved and the happiness that she brings to all of their hearts.

Another brave soul, Brian Julain Borlea, shared how he is able to work amidst the battle with autism spectrum disorder. One line from Brian that stuck with the audience was “I’m not normal, I’m special. But I’m as normal as special people go.”

Check out more photos below!

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An Afternoon with the Ladies of Little Sisters

7:00 PM

A student’s duties are not only confined to the four corners of the class room. It extends further; reaching communities, homes and individuals. A college student, whose shoulders act as foundations for the future, has, in a sense, an obligation to do as much good for the world as possible. To that, community development activities has become almost a hallmark activity for the achievement of the universal goal all should strive for.

The fourth year students of the SLP Department of the UST-CRS, once again extended this practice by embarking upon an excursion which focused on both the betterment of those in need and for the acquisition of invaluable knowledge and experience that they would require as future Speech Language Pathologist. The target of this particular community development activity was the St. Teresa Jornet Little Sisters Home for the Abandoned Elderly; a perfect little quaint nursing home which houses over a hundred elderly women, each with their own quirks and interesting stories to tell. The facility itself could be divided into four areas; the living quarters, the mess, the chapel and the main hall. The living quarters, situated in the centremost area of the compound, is a multi-levelled dormitory styled living structure starting at the second floor of the main building. It has the basic accommodations expected, a bunk and drawers for the inhabitant’s possessions, and each room accommodating two to three residents at a time. The chapel was situated to one end of the compound as to prevent any noise from the living quarters, or revelry from the main hall, to snake its way into the solemn environment expected of a chapel. The mess was situated behind the main hall, filled with tables and chairs and looking quite similar to high school cafeteria, it was where the residents retreated to for their afternoon snack after our visit. The main hall, which is situated right below the living quarters, bordered by the levels of the dormitories, allowing all from above to peer down from their lofty balconied heights, was where all things recreational occur. In fact, this was where us SLP students conducted both our evaluation of the elderly occupants of the facility as well as our prepared program of games and singing, as to rile up the spirits of our immediate patients in such a way as to invigorate them for our more probing and clinical inquiries.

The SLPs, which both acted as entertainer, host and contestant, riled up the residents which competed with one another in a game ‘Hip-Hip-Hurray’ which culminated with a tie between two of the residents, who outlasted their spryer competitors. Afterwards, the singers of the class had their fun serenading the elderly ladies, whom enjoy it greatly, even cheering for more or joining in and calling out song names to be performed, in hopes that their visitors would humour them, which, to their credit, us SLPs did, singing Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” at the request of one of the ladies, resulting in an admirable attempt. They even showed us what they could do by singing a song of their own.

The atmosphere was warm there, it honestly felt as if we were wanted, as if our presence was some form of relief from the humdrum routine they were far too accustomed to during a daily basis. This is noteworthy as it somewhat, at least to me, made interacting with them easier, which in turn made eliciting vital information from them easier as well. They almost seemed to have no hesitation from sharing aspects of their former lives, in some sense it even felt as if they were keen to do so. They would converse about who they were, how they ended up in the facility, how much, or little, they enjoyed the food, and other funny anecdote from their lives, either about them or the people they’ve come to know around them. Though I can only speak for myself, it made the experience almost pleasurable, like visiting your own grandmother, especially since all the residents were all so fun loving and honestly just as curious about us as we were about them, to the point that pressure to succeed and to constantly excel almost washed away, making it feel almost natural and routine.

The experience was not just fun and game though, it gave a glimpse of how we should compose ourselves for the future and what we needed to become to truly be grate. It was, at times quite taxing and was maybe a tad too short of a glimpse, but it gave a significant component of what an SLP student needs to become a truly full-fledged Speech Language Pathologist. - Jordan Martin G. Uy

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Two SLPs chosen for acclaimed Seton Hall University GIE Program

12:00 PM

Current 5^th year batch representative Marielle Longno, and last school year’s external vice president Camille Marcelino represented the Speech-Language Pathology Department in the Global Intern Exchange (GIE) program for Seton Hall University, New Jersey, last November 2-30, 2017. Both interns were supervised by assistant dean, Asst. Prof. Ma. Georgina D. Mojica, CSP-PASP, MHPEd, and were accompanied by interns from the other programs of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences.

A sought-after GIE track, Seton Hall University is one of the department’s partner institutions that receive a good number of applicants every year. Being chosen is not an easy feat, and both Marielle and Camille recalled having a difficult time processing papers such as pre-departure requirements for the school, for CHED, and for their visa. Camille who was only encouraged to apply by a friend, shared that it was difficult to rush all the appointments that she had to include in her tight schedule. Marielle therefore advises future applicants to send in their requirements early and prepare ahead of time to avoid encountering problems before the trip.

The program was a combination of both academic and clinical duties, which required the interns to attend classes focusing on research, language, geriatrics, hearing, and phonetics while in the University. Marielle shared that although they had less patient-related paperwork, they still had after-program requirements, such as a magazine that they had to submit. Unlike in other rotations, they were only allowed to observe patients and were assigned to SLP clinics catering to both geriatric and pediatric population.

“Rarely do you see a specialized clinic with only SLPs as their focus. Since our practice is based on theirs, the diagnosis and treatment protocols are similar. Research is given importance in their classes as this is the bases for their practice, and it’s good to encourage the students to engage in researches for the improvement of the profession,” said Camille.

Having the opportunity to observe the graduate program, Marielle noticed that topics were similar to those taught in the 3^rd and 4^th year classes, and joked that the only difference was that students used laptops and Wifi was fast and accessible.

“The big differences were the fact that formal tests were really used as these are applicable to them, health insurance covers most of their therapy, and child-directed therapy is key,” said Marielle.

The CRS-SLP Department has built its curriculum to be similar to that of the US-based practice, and the SLP Laboratory has a collection of formal tests which are accessible to students and interns. The Philippines has yet to incorporate therapy fees into health insurance coverage to make it more available for other patients.

During the weekends, the two interns get a break to spend time with their family and have some free time to enjoy their stay in the US. When asked on their most memorable experiences, Marielle said that she mostly three things: the food, Ma’am Gigi, and Thanksgiving weekend (shopping galore).

“It was fun playing with the kids and talking to the adults during the session. My favorite moment would probably be when one of our kids said he likes us and he would want us to stay,” said Camille.

On Self-discovery and Learning

Internship year emphasizes growth and fulfillment for the students as they transition from the school setting to the real world. For Marielle, the program became an avenue for self-discovery. She was able to gain the value of patience and learned how to be flexible, which she was able to utilize from processing their papers, to their 24-hour delayed flight.

“Believe in yourself and in your knowledge and skills as a clinician. Anything can happen in life - you have to take it in a positive note because it’s either you enjoy it or you learn from it,” said Marielle.

The same goes for Camille, the experience serving as a break to evaluate her performance and goals. It also gave her a confidence boost as she shared that her biggest challenge was overcoming the language barrier. Her solution was to trust herself, which became her anchor throughout the trip.

“I entered internship with all the doubts in my head and it affected my performance as a clinician. I realized that I can never be prepared for anything and I just have to believe in myself because the University has prepared me to be a great clinician,” said Camille.

Located at South Orange, New Jersey, Seton Hall University offers a programs for Speech-Language Pathology and is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Last year, interns Nana and Eya Uy were chosen to represent the SLP Department for the GIE track. – Vianca A. Ocampo

Photos were received from Marielle Longno and taken from Camille Marcelino’s Facebook page.

Learning Beyond Impossibilities

SLP Society holds Seminar on Gadget Use and its Effects

All Aboard: A Day of Play Around The World

An Afternoon with the Ladies of Little Sisters

Two SLPs chosen for acclaimed Seton Hall University GIE Program

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