On March 14, 2025 (Friday), a seminar for the Long-Term Project Lugud 2.0 began with a roll call led by representatives from each school. Each representative was invited to stand and respond with, “Bata Bata, Pano ba umasta? (their respective school).” This vibrant introduction established an energetic atmosphere for the seminar, which was later complemented by the opening remarks delivered by the distinguished principal of Sapang Tagalog Elementary School, the host of the event.
Dr. Jessica Marie I. Dela Peña from the College of Education at Tarlac State University commenced the morning presentation by sharing her perspectives on the importance of budgeting and saving from personal income. She pointed out that money can diminish rapidly due to inflation and individual lifestyle decisions. Dr. Dela Peña further discussed effective financial management, underscoring the necessity of integrating investments, savings, and budgeting into everyday practices. She elaborates on the diverse reasons that contributed to the rise of renowned individuals who started from humble beginnings to become some of the most celebrated billionaires globally. Additionally, she introduced a game titled "Guess the Legacy/Profile," featuring images of notable figures displayed on the screen. Participants eagerly responded, particularly motivated by the incentive of a reward for the first correct answer, provided by the speaker. The teachers engaged enthusiastically in the game, leaving with both smiles and newfound knowledge.
Dr. Dela Peña explains the reasons behind the slow accumulation of savings concerning personal priorities, encompassing needs and desires. Her insights cover essential self-improvement skills, the establishment of priorities, and the creation of a budget. Furthermore, she provides a comprehensive explanation of the concepts of passive and active income, illustrated through various examples such as bank interest, business revenue, advertising earnings, and rental income. She also addresses the importance of diversification, emphasizing the value of surrounding oneself with productive individuals rather than those who are unproductive. Additionally, she highlights the significance of being purpose-driven and financially focused and the implications of managing all expenses, even when savings and income are depleted. She concluded her presentation by providing the participants with a budget plan, encouraging them to use this framework as a guide for achieving future success in their investments and savings, all while striving for a more comfortable and fulfilling life.
During the afternoon session, participants in set B concentrated on shaping and comprehending children's behavior, particularly about the challenges they face, which are increasingly recognized as anxiety that can progress to depression and potentially result in suicidal ideation. He further enhanced the discussion by elaborating on the importance of psychological first aid. In the central segment of the discussion, Dr. Oliver Cura from Tarlac State University, representing the College of Arts and Social Sciences, initiated a warm-up activity designed to capture the participants' interest. The attendees participated eagerly, with evident smiles and laughter illuminating their expressions. He invited participants to express emotions associated with his topic, demonstrating various behaviors that were challenging to manage. The participants found enjoyment in role-playing these emotions, and their fellow participants also actively engaged in the activity with enthusiasm.
Dr. Cura cited a case of a student who tragically took their own life due to heartbreak, as reported in the news. Following this, the participants recounted their own experiences related to similar circumstances, discussing instances where students felt compelled to end their lives in pursuit of personal peace and relief from the burdens they faced daily. Dr. Ruby Ana T. Pineda, the PSDS of Tarlac South A District, also shares her experiences in managing sensitive cases involving students who struggle with anxiety and depression. Educators from the South A district seized the opportunity to discuss their experiences related to instances of student depression in their schools.
The esteemed principal of Sapang Tagalog Elementary School shared her painful experience with anxiety following the death of her mother, a loss that left her feeling profoundly bereft. She emphasizes that the struggles with anxiety and depression are serious matters, not to be taken lightly. Navigating these emotions proved to be incredibly challenging, as her perception of life became starkly monochromatic. It felt as though everything was crumbling around her, with a persistent voice urging her to stop eating, lose her appetite, neglect personal hygiene, and isolate herself from others. Each day was marked by a deep sense of melancholy, particularly during the pandemic when outdoor activities were severely restricted. Ultimately, she began to find solace and strength through her son, who sought out uplifting activities to inspire and rejuvenate her spirit.
Dr. Cura concluded his afternoon session by commending the courage of each participant who shared their personal experiences with the seminar attendees. He provided them with actionable steps, referred to as “Isang simpleng hakbang,” which inspired them to take even the smallest actions to navigate their challenges and combat anxiety and depression. He urged educators to develop wellness programs aimed at promoting healthy mental health for both educators and learners.
The event was successfully wrapped up with the distribution of certificates and a photo session that included distinguished resource speakers. Among those present were the PSDS of the Tarlac South A district, the Principal of Sapang Tagalog School, and Dr. Maria Agnes P. Ladia, the overall project leader of Lugud 2.0 and Dean of Graduate Studies.
