Rizalians Immersion @ NCMH

By Christian Jiro Flores

The debate competition, Listen Up! Time to Turn the Tables was the debate contest in collaboration with the RVC. It consisted of participants from various teams; Alagad ni Miss M V2.0, Sangguniang Kabataan, AAAAA!, and Teamba. There were three sets of designated questions from Arts, Politics, and Philosophy.

Sanggunian Kabataan won the debate, thus the final event of Callidus Loquentium officers for the school year 2022-2023.

Firstly the competition began as the first set, “Which is more meaningful? Minimalist Art or Maximalist Art,” was given. Team AAAAA! for Minimalist Art, while Sanggunian Kabataan for Maximalist Art. The Board of Judges declared that team AAAAA! was eliminated for the third set while Sanggunian Kabataan was up for the final round.

Then the second set came next, “Is the Death penalty reasonable for the most heinous crime?” with Teamba for the proposition and Alagad ni Miss M V2.0 as the opposing side. Judges requested Teamba to cite sources for their arguments — neither of the teams announced elimination.

Lastly, the third set proceeded with the topic, “Does free will exist, or is every action predetermined?” Through a tossed coin, Sangguniang Kabataan stood with the existence of the free will, while the Alagad ni Miss M V2.0 supported the idea that every action is predetermined.

Toequip Rizalians with profound knowledge, critical awareness, and handy experiences through a work immersion Grade 12 students from the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strands participated in a five-day tour at National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) Mandaluyong City from April 27 until May 4.

Rizalians explored and wandered some of the 33 pavilions inside the hospital. It is truly an eye-opener for all aspiring students that mentally challenged people are not what society labels them to be; they need help, guidance, and love.

During the tour, the words “Kalidad” and “Karapatan” were emphasized to apprise students that NCMH upholds the quality care that mentally ill people deserve based on the Mental Health Law and the Universal Health Care Act.

Furthermore, a statue of Sisa, a well-known character from Jose Rizal’s famous Novel, Noli Me Tangere, a mentally challenged mother because of her traumatic past, is built in front of the Bridge of Hope inside the hospital to signal a light of hope that people who suffer from mental sickness still have chances to recover from such diseases.

The tour also highlights the everyday battles that patients encounter and the real-life situations of healthcare workers, nurses, and doctors.

Mental health is one of the issues in the world that not all know more about - it stresses the significance of spreading awareness, sensitivity, and knowledge.

NCMH is considered a specialized hospital with its mission to push through the mental wellness, cure, and rehabilitation of mentally challenged people.