BED GTO Empowers Families: Parents’ Forum Strengthens Support Systems for Student Growth

Through the Office of Student Affairs and Services the Basic Education Department Guidance and Testing Office successfully hosted a Parents' Forum on January 23, 2026, at the MSEUF Gymnasium. The event, which exactly began at 9:00 AM focused on the theme "Time for Me. Time for We: Balancing Self-Care and Family Time." To open the program, Ma'am Reina Pasumbal, Bed Principal, delivered her opening remarks by highlighting the school's dedication to supporting parents as the primary foundation of student success.

The forum featured Ms. Hannah Ericka M. Andal, RPsy, RGC, as the guest speaker. Her talk broke away from traditional seminar format, making the forum communicative and interactive, allowing genuine dialogue and connections with the participants. In direct or in non-jargon form she shared psychological insights on how parents can manage their mental health while staying present for their families, emphasizing that self-care is an essential component of effective parenting rather than an act of selfishness. At the end of her talk, parents were equipped
with practical self-care rituals and communication tools designed to deepen their understanding of their children. These strategies were aimed at helping them to strengthening family bonds ensuring that no single family member's mental health is sacrificed in the process.

The forum was met with an impressive turnout with a total of 736 participants, comprised of 204 from the Elementary level, 334 from Junior High School, and 198 from Senior High School. This high level of parents' engagement demonstrated the school and community's dedication to holistic family development. Following the forum, the event seamlessly transitioned into the Launching of the Basic Education Open House, allowing parents to further
explore the school's programs and facilities.