UST ABCD: Pilosopiya Para sa Masa: Motivating the Rehabilitants Through Philosophy

"I Am Not Defined By My Relapses, But By My Decision To Remain In Recovery Despite Them."

Spearheaded by the faculty members of the UST Department of Philosophy, Concilium Philosophiae in partnership with the UST Artlets Student Council, the project: Pilosopiya Para sa Masa, aimed to teach philosophy to the rehabilitants through the process of "community of inquiry" which encourages critical discourse and reflection to produce a personal outlook for the participants. The Healing Path Foundation have been a long-time partner community of the AB Community Development. In line with this, the Concilium Philosophiae and the Artlets Student Council aims to sustain this project for a long term, focusing on the community's progression step-by-step. The student leaders of Concilium Philosophiae and UST Artlets Student Council envision to teaching future rehabilitants, and aiding them with this program through the help of faculty members and the AB Community Development advisers.

This project consisted of three phases which was planned to be held on January 22, 27, and 29 of 2020, at the Healing Path Foundation in Quezon City. A week before the first phase of the project, an ocular visit to the community was conducted. The ocular visit team composed of Alyandra Resurrecion and Mikaela Avelino of Concilium and Paolo Manuel of Artlets Student Council. They were oriented with the rules and regulations of the facility. The student leaders and volunteers were instructed not to take photographs of the beneficiaries and that their names were under strict confidentiality. After a thorough discussion with the community leaders about the project and inquiry on the concerns and specific needs of the community, the following topics were suggested: values formation, importance of family, and positive attitude. Thus, alongside their adviser, the team designed lesson plans, videos and processing activities specifically catered to the needs of the community. For the first two phases, the project heads and volunteers conducted a Close Facilitating and Learning Process; personally communicating with the participants through the subject of philosophy by preparing the participants to watch informative videos in which they will explain the context of and how they felt upon watching it. The activity was met by active participants who were attentive and vocal on the discussions. The topics of value formation, importance of family, and positive attitude were tackled and heartfelt dialogues arose. After every phases' lunch breaks, a group reporting was administered that focuses on the main points that have transpired in every focus group discussion and the processing activity was accomplished through a pen and paper assessment. The second phase concluded with a trust-fall exercise in which the participants state words and sentences that inspire them to be better. Overall, the first and second phase went without any other complications. The third phase, however, was disrupted by the suspension of classes due to COVID-19 despite the multiple attempts to reschedule.

To conclude, the project, “Pilosopiya Para sa Masa” ended with only finishing two phases. Regardless of the unfinished third phase, it is still evident that this project has impacted both the project heads, volunteers, and beneficiaries, establishing a bond and understanding and ultimately giving both a better and more positive outlook on life.