HCDC - Office of Guidance and Counseling

“Struggles to Strengths: Redefining Our Stories”

As the Homeroom Classes’ 1st term concluded and the 2nd began, around 1,500 students gathered last October 6, 2025 at the HCDC Gymnasium for a reflective and engaging learning session with Ms. Dolly Joy Ronquillo, RPsy, RPm.

It was a dynamic morning filled with insights, questions, and heartfelt sharing — where students also had a sneak peek into their co-students’ experiences of strength and what kept them going. They learned that strength has many faces — sometimes found in discomfort, vulnerability, or simply the courage to show up and continue. 💛

Heartfelt thanks for the support of San Pedro College interns, Homeroom Facilitators, and Peer Facilitators, HCDC - SSG for the documentation and the OGC student assistants for making this session meaningful and enabling. 🌿

As we conclude the celebration of World Mental Health Month, may we continue to nurture the values of compassion, understanding, and care — for ourselves and for others.

Though the month has come to an end, our mission to care remains — to listen, to guide, and to walk with those who seek comfort and healing. Each day offers a new chance to be gentle with ourselves and to be instruments of peace for others.

As we also approach the solemn days of remembrance, may the Echoes of the Faithful remind us of the love, faith, and strength left behind by those who came before us. Their memories live on in the kindness we share and the hope we keep alive in our hearts. Let this be a gentle reminder to pause, breathe, and reconnect — with our faith, our loved ones, and ourselves. Healing continues in every story we tell and every life we touch. 🍂

This Padlet is open to everyone! Share your story, memory, drawing, or reflection that shows resilience, hope, or courage. What inspires you to keep going?

Click the link or scan the QR code to join the conversation. 💛https://padlet.com/collegeguidance/echoes-of-the-faithful-living-stories-of-hope-d74slza8v6cykc74

The ground may have shaken, but so did our hearts. 💔

Even as the aftershocks remind us of what we’ve been through, we keep standing, breathing, and finding strength in one another. 🌱
The recent earthquake touched each of us in different ways. Some felt fear, others found comfort in the presence of family, friends, or classmates. Many are still finding the words for what they felt. And that’s okay. 💚

Whole month of celebrating World Mental Health, to help us reflect, connect, and heal together, we’ve created a safe space called “Shaken, Yet Strengthened: Our Earthquake Stories.”

This Padlet is open to everyone. Here, you can share your thoughts, feelings, or reflections in words, drawings, or even just a few heartfelt lines.
https://padlet.com/collegeguidance/shaken-yet-strengthened-our-earthquake-stories-diqhtjolzstkcyrl

No grades. No titles. No judgments. Just your story, your voice, your healing. 💚

❤️🤍💙

The recent earthquakes may have left many of us feeling uneasy or afraid. HCDC-OGC is offering Psychological First Aid sessions to support those who may be feeling anxious, shaken, or overwhelmed.

You don’t have to stop at naming what you feel — the next step is going through it, and you don’t have to do that alone. We’re here to listen and help you regain a sense of calm and safety.

📅 Book your individual or group appointment through the link or QR code: (https://forms.gle/2MHebkRACvJzLtaP8)

Booking is open until 7 PM today for tomorrow’s schedule.
Booking for Friday’s schedule will be open from 8 AM to 7 PM tomorrow.

This month, we celebrate World Mental Health Day by taking a moment to pause, reflect, and express our emotions. Each week, the Office of Guidance and Counseling invites you to join us in nurturing a space where mental health is prioritized, safeguarded, and accessible to everyone—especially during these times of crises such as natural disasters, conflicts, and public health emergencies.

💖 All feelings are valid.
This week, let’s slow down for a bit and check in with ourselves.
Take one small step toward understanding your emotions — by naming what you feel.

Our activity, “Name it to Tame it,” lets you post an emoji that shows how you’re really feeling today.

When we name our emotions, we get to know ourselves better — our thoughts, feelings, and even what our body’s telling us. It’s a simple way to handle things with more care and clarity.

Drop your emoji in the link and take a moment to reflect on how you truly feel. 💚https://app.sli.do/event/vhj9uP8N1Q4W9hBnf7JiZf

Let’s keep this a safe and respectful space for everyone.
💚 Every feeling is valid.
💬 Post kindly and responsibly.
📢 As this is a campus-wide activity, please continue to follow our school guidelines.
🪩 Entries will be reviewed to make sure our wall stays positive and supportive.

Thanks for being part of our mental health celebration!

Got a story to tell? Let's talk about it! Reach us at [email protected] or via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HCDCCGCC

ADVISORY ON DCAT POSTPONEMENT IN DAVAO ETC

Due to the recent earthquake, the DCAT scheduled for October 11, 2025, at Holy Cross of Davao College has been postponed until further notice.

Further announcements regarding the new schedule will be announced.

As we close Phase I and II of our Su***de Prevention Month activities, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who shared their stories of struggles turned into strength. Your courage in turning struggles into strength has inspired many and reminded us that we are never alone — that help and healing are always within reach. 💚

You may read more stories from our fellow Holy Crossians through this link:
🔗 Struggles to Strengths:
Redefining Our Stories (https://padlet.com/collegeguidance/struggles-to-strengths-redefining-our-stories-io4kc3mkq253lkz)

May these stories remind us that even in adversity, there is always hope. 🌿

-OGC ***dePreventionMonth

Happy Birthday our Dearest Maam Armie! 🎉

Thank you for being such an inspiring presence, a great mentor, and a true friend to the entire team. We deeply value your wisdom, your patient guidance, and your incredible generosity of spirit.

We're wishing you a year ahead that's fulfilling, memorable, and completely full of the happiness you constantly give to everyone around you.

All the love,

OGC family

📢 𝗧𝗼: 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 (𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺)

Please be informed that our Homeroom Onsite Learning Session entitled, Struggles to Strengths: Redefining Our Stories is happening on Monday, October 6, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the HCDC Gymnasium.

This learning session is an official part of your Homeroom Class requirements, and attendance is required for all Homeroom students.

𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀:
𝗟𝗼𝗴-𝗶𝗻: Scan your ID at the designated area before entering the venue.
𝗟𝗼𝗴-𝗼𝘂𝘁: The OGC team will facilitate the log-out process at the end of the program.

Please be reminded of the things to bring during the activity.

We look forward to seeing you for this meaningful learning experience!

"Kamusta ka? Yung totoo."

Learning about others' struggles/stories teaches us to be compassionate, moving us to a society where we can create systematic actions to create an environment where people "feel able to speak up and seek help."

This Su***de Prevention Month, we will journey on bringing hope by starting a conversation and making a difference.

Join us in redefining stories of strength through struggle.

Go to this padlet link and share a glimpse of your story: https://padlet.com/collegeguidance/struggles-to-strengths-redifining-our-stories-io4kc3mkq253lkz

You may also participate by posting a note on how you would continue your story that will spark hope in others on the OGC bulletin board located outside MH 103.

Please be guided:
Be respectful – Use kind and encouraging words.
Keep it simple – Short, clear, and meaningful (like a real title).
Stay appropriate – No offensive or hurtful words/images.
Respect privacy – Share only what you’re comfortable with. Don’t mention other people’s names.
Follow school policies – Entries should reflect integrity, respect, and responsibility.
*You may post anonymously or use your pen name.*
*Inappropriate entries will be deleted.*

✨ Let's also continue to create a safe digital space where we inspire each other through our stories.

You matter. Talk to a guidance counselor:
https://www.facebook.com/HCDCCGCC
[email protected]

Hello, Holy Crossians!

𝘼𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙃𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨

Your Homeroom this semester isn’t just about academics—it’s about growing, learning, and living the Holy Crossian Way.
❤️🤍💙 🌱

✅ Join your Homeroom Google Classroom to stay updated.
𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 (𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺): Mark your calendars for August 16, 2025. Don't hit snooze on your first day—be there! ⏰

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝟮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺: The second term will begin on October 4, 2025.

𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺: You can check the banner of your Google Classroom to confirm which term you are currently in.

Got questions? Drop by MH103 – Office of Guidance and Counseling, email [email protected], or send us a message on Facebook: HCDC Office of Guidance and Counseling.