CMU’s 2025 Women’s Month Celebration Focuses on Mental Health Resiliency

To commemorate National Women’s Month, Central Mindanao University, through its University Center for Gender and Development, hosted a Culmination Program on March 31, 2025, at the University Convention Center. The event featured a lecture on Mental Health Resiliency among Women, Youth, and in the Workplace.

Mental health advocate Dr. Emerson Galang Aliswag, Dean of St. Dominic College of Asia and Mental Health Champion 2024 of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), graced the celebration as the guest speaker. He delivered an insightful lecture covering topics on gender development, mental health resiliency, self-awareness, and mental health promotion.

Dr. Aliswag highlighted the importance of addressing mental health issues among women, youth, and individuals across the university community. “Alam natin na marami tayong stressors and we cannot remove that, what we are going to do is to adjust to be the one to control our reaction to these stressors that we cannot control,” Dr. Aliswag said.

Moreover, Dr. Aliswag concluded his talk by stressing that prioritizing love for God and others, as we love ourselves, is fundamental to achieving mental well-being and gender sensitivity. This prioritization fosters a healthy work-life balance.

Anchored in this year’s theme, ‘Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas’ (‘Women in All Sectors, A Better Future in the New Philippines), the celebration highlighted the pivotal role of women in shaping the nation’s future. It reinforced the goal of empowering women and promoting gender equality.

Dr. Rolito G. Eballe, the University President, expressed his strong support for gender equality and the recognition of women’s contributions, aligning with CMU’s mission to provide equitable access to quality education, research, and community engagement for economic prosperity, moral integrity, and social and cultural sensitivity.

“Through collective action, we can ensure that women’s voices are heard, respected, and valued across all sectors, while also giving them the recognition they rightfully deserve for their significant contributions to both our university and society,” Dr. Eballe affirmed.

Beyond the engaging contests—Radio Plug, Photo Essay, Infographic, Jingle-making, and Wall of Fame (selfie/groufie)—the celebration offered a unique array of free self-care services. Attendees benefited from haircuts, manicures, pedicures, eyebrow threading, and, for the first time, skincare treatments courtesy of Sephines, a Filipino-owned, Korean-manufactured, and science-based beauty brand. [Mary Jane D. Bravo]