March is National Women’s Month—a season usually dedicated to honoring the historical milestones of Filipino women. But true empowerment is also about acknowledging when the weight of the journey becomes heavy and knowing where to find a place to rest.
This was the quiet, powerful theme that hummed through the Cultural Center of Laguna on March 23. There, selected Psychology students from Laguna University gathered for a seminar that felt less like a curriculum requirement and more like a collective deep breath. Titled “Her Mind Matters: Building Resilience for the Youth College Journey,” the event was spearheaded by the Provincial Population Office (PPO) to remind young women that their mental well-being is the foundation of their strength.
From the start, the atmosphere was different. There was no stiff formality, instead, a sense of “being seen” filled the room. The speakers didn’t just deliver facts but also spoke to lived experiences.
Leading the conversation was Dr. Maria Carlin L. Fabian, a Medical Officer IV from the Los Baños Municipal Health Office. In her session, “Matatag na Isip, Matatag na Kababaihan,” she blended clinical expertise with the warmth of a mentor. Rather than staying behind a lectern, she guided students through simple stress-relieving movements. For a few minutes, the hall transformed from a venue of study into a space of shared laughter and physical release. It was a visceral reminder that resilience isn’t always about “grinding through” sometimes, it begins with the permission to pause.
The heart of the afternoon emerged during the open forum. Students stepped forward with questions that many carry but few voice: How do I balance grades with self-care? How can I help a friend who is drowning in stress without losing myself?
Dr. Fabian met these queries with a balance of professional insight and spiritual grounding, concluding with a reflection on Proverbs 3:5–6. It was a moment that allowed the students to voice their struggles without judgment, proving that conversations about mental health are not just necessary, they are healing.
One of the students, Joelyn Tamayo from BA Psychology 3A, reflecting on the day, shared her experience: “My overall insight sa Women’s Month seminar is it was fun and enjoyable since I’ve learned a lot of various information in relation to mental health, and also of course, empowering women. It was nice to listen to the guest speaker because aside from discussing about mental health, there was also an activity that we did, like the breathing exercise that can really help us in order to manage our stress and emotions. Also, goods yung foods LOL.” Her words captured what many in the room likely felt, that learning can be both meaningful and lighthearted, and that small moments of joy matter just as much as the lessons themselves.
As the students filed out, conversations continued in clusters, their voices animated with newly learned coping strategies and a renewed sense of connection. The seminar served as a timely reminder that young women deserve spaces where strength and rest can coexist.
By approaching mental health with an understanding of what students truly face, the event acknowledged that resilience is not a solitary burden. It is something that grows when supported by community, honest dialogue, and a culture that values well-being over mere endurance. It was a fitting tribute to the spirit of Women’s Month, a celebration not only of how strong women are, but of how they rise together, lifting one another with every step.
by: Alexis Jane Andales
