Philippine Mental Health Association Cebu Chapter

03/12/2025

𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗪𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘃𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰!

Researchers have spent years studying how music shapes our emotions. Most people hit play because music can express and trigger feelings (Juslin and Sloboda, 2001). Studies also show that what we listen to affects both how we feel and how our bodies respond (Fuentes-Sánchez, Pastor, Escrig, et al., 2021). It’s worth looking at how music sparks emotion, and how our individual differences influence that process.

One study by Nieves Fuentes-Sánchez and colleagues explored the role of musical preference and familiarity in emotional responses. Using correlation and multiple regression analyses, they found that preference is the strongest factor. In simple terms, the music you truly like is what shapes both your emotional ratings and your physiological reactions, especially on the pleasure side. Familiarity didn’t make much difference, suggesting that even music you’ve never heard before can still hit hard.

This connects in an interesting way to Judith Butler’s idea of linguistic vulnerability. Butler talks about how words affect us because we’re exposed to them. We’re open to being moved, comforted, or changed through language. Music works in a similar way. Lyrics and sound enter our inner world without asking permission, and we feel their impact even when we don’t expect it. Being “soft” with music isn’t weakness, it’s simply being open to connection. Vulnerability is what makes it meaningful.

So if your Wrapped is full of songs that break your heart, lift your spirit, or hit you with feelings out of nowhere, you’re in good company. Preference drives emotion and vulnerability is what lets music matter.

What “club” did you end up in this year? Drop your Spotify Wrapped in the comments.

References:

Fuentes-Sánchez, N., Pastor, R., Eerola, T., & Pastor, M. C. (2021). Spanish adaptation of a film music stimulus set (FMSS): Cultural and gender differences in the perception of emotions prompted by music excerpts.

Fuentes-Sánchez, N., Pastor, R., Eerola, T., Escrig, M. A., & Pastor, M. C. (2022). Musical preference but not familiarity influences subjective ratings and psychophysiological correlates of music-induced emotions. Personality and Individual Differences, 198, 111828. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2022.111828

Juslin, P. N., & Sloboda, J. A. (2001). Music and emotion: Theory and research. Oxford University Press.

03/12/2025

💙

Not every disability is visible,
but every story deserves to be understood.

As we mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities,
we choose compassion over assumptions,
access over barriers,
and mental health care that meets every person
exactly where they are. 💙

02/12/2025

It's 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬! 💙✨

On this day, we honor the strength and resilience of persons with disabilities. Let us celebrate diversity, promote inclusion, and support one another in breaking barriers. Disabilities may not always be visible, but the need for respect, understanding, and support is ever present. Together, let’s build a society where everyone can participate fully, equally, and thrive without discrimination and limitations. 💖🎉🙌

02/12/2025

🎄December is here! It's most wonderful time of the year!

While this sentiment resonates with many, it's important to recognize that this season can also bring stress and pain for others. The holiday pressures and demands can be overwhelming and may trigger mental health problems. Many people experience increased feelings of depression and anxiety during this time, with several factors contributing to these emotions. 💡

If you’re feeling anxious or down, know that you’re not alone. It’s okay to acknowledge your feelings and seek support. Remember to never put yourself last on your list - you deserve care and joy too! 🫂✨

02/12/2025

𝗣𝗠𝗛𝗔 𝗖𝗲𝗯𝘂 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗘𝗱 𝗚𝗔𝗗 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁
Waterworld Hotel, Mandaue City | December 2, 2025

The PMHA Cebu Chapter served as a resource speaker for the Gender and Development Training of the Schools Division of Lapu-Lapu City. The session focused on integrating mental health in school research to support inclusive and mentally healthy learning environments.

Ms. Phoebe Francisco, Chapter Executive Manager, facilitated a two hour lecture workshop on the importance of conducting mental health needs assessments in schools. She discussed how reliable data can guide program development, policy implementation, and research, while underscoring existing child protection measures and relevant laws.

Participants included school heads and supervisors who worked on creating their own needs assessment tools during the workshop. The activity aimed to equip education leaders with practical strategies to identify student and personnel well being concerns and to inform GAD responsive initiatives.

The PMHA Cebu Chapter continues to work with academic institutions to strengthen mental health awareness, build safe spaces, and encourage evidence based planning in schools.

02/12/2025

𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟱
Talamban Leisure Center | December 1, 2025

The Philippine Mental Health Association Cebu Chapter received thirty thousand pesos in net proceeds from Superheroes for Mental Health Year 5, a charity cosplay and dance marathon led by long-time partners ExZyt Dance Fitness Co. The turnover was held at Talamban Leisure Center, with representatives from PMHA Cebu Chapter accepting the donation from ExZyt’s Mr. Heno Rey Sanico Chin and Mr. Dennis Thomas Tudtud.

This annual activity brings together fitness communities, hobbyists, and mental health advocates to promote awareness and raise funds for local programs. PMHA Cebu expressed appreciation to all sponsors whose support made the event possible, including Workplace Cafe, Pocari Sweat (Philippines), Wisechoice Supplements, Tampico Juices, Rapid Tech Cebu, Arcanys CrossFit, SKYGO, Touch Media, Uclick Self-Portrait Studio, The Freeman, and GMall of Cebu.

The proceeds will go toward advocacy work, community outreach, and ongoing efforts to make mental health education accessible in Cebu and neighboring areas.

Daghang salamat, superheroes for mental health; your generosity keeps our advocacy moving forward.

01/12/2025

Good morning! 🌻💙

It's the first Monday of the month. Start strong with a clear mind, grateful heart and kindness towards yourself. Have a productive and positive week ahead! 🙌✨

30/11/2025

We're in the last month this year! 🎄❄️ You’ve made it this far, my friend. Keep going! 💙✨

28/11/2025

Your mind deserves the same care as your body. 💙✨ Nurture it with kindness, rest, and support. 🌿

27/11/2025

Being yourself means honoring every feeling—and showing up as your authentic self, every day. 💙✨

26/11/2025

𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝗽𝘂-𝗟𝗮𝗽𝘂 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝘁 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲𝘀
November 26, 2025 | Crown Regency Suites Mactan

Newest member of the PMHA Cebu Chapter Speakers’ Bureau and MA Clinical Psychology student from the Cebu Institute of Technology–University (CIT-U), Ms. Allyn P. Suello, RPm, facilitated an afternoon lecture-workshop titled “Debunking Mental Health Myths and Stress Management for Government Employees.”

The session was attended by personnel from the Lapu-Lapu City Government through the Office of the City Administrator. The activity focused on clarifying common misconceptions about mental health, promoting evidence-based understanding, and equipping participants with practical stress management tools they can use in their daily work.

Through interactive discussions and guided exercises, the workshop provided a space for employees to reflect on their well-being and strengthen their capacity to manage workplace stress.

26/11/2025

𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁-𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝗽𝘂-𝗟𝗮𝗽𝘂 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳.
November 26, 2025 | Crown Regency Suites, Mactan

Member of the PMHA Cebu Chapter Speakers’ Bureau and MA Clinical Psychology student from the Cebu Institute of Technology–University (CIT-U), Mr. Denricks L. Tecson, RPm, CHRA, facilitated a half-day lecture-workshop titled “Healing After Disaster: Post-Calamity Traumatic Symptoms.”

Employees of the Lapu-Lapu City Government, through the Office of the City Administrator, took part in the session. The activity focused on understanding common reactions to traumatic events, recognizing signs of post-calamity stress, and learning practical tools to support emotional recovery.

Through a mix of discussion and reflective exercises, the session offered a supportive space for participants to process their experiences and rebuild their sense of stability after recent challenges.