“Measure thy life by lost not by gain. Not by the wine drank, but by the wine poured forth. For love strength standeth in love's sacrifices. And he who suffered most, has most to give.”
— Lillias Trotter
Greetings dearest Hivers,
It's been a long time since I have posted my last blog. How are you, how's the dealings of life?
On my behalf, I have been to a grand adventure of a lifetime — one spent in pouring out myself for a noble cause. I am now officially a 4th year psychology student, hivers! A fact that still feels surreal, even after the hell-and-back experience that third year has given me. Following our meaningful candle lighting and pinning ceremony (by which I will share in my next blog), we begun in what would be our biggest leap towards the reality of our degree. One that is beyond textbooks and case studies. Let me share with you, my dearest hivers, to where have I been this long forgotten days. Behold the eye-opening and profound experience of my first internship. Keywords: Internship, learnings, and service.
How the story begun:
Our batch have been informed by our Psychology Program Coordinator about the official offset of our internship. Instead of having an academic break (like we all deserve), we wil start grinding our 600 hours on-the-job-training along the month of July-August. This way, we will lessen the stress and hours we get to spend during our senior and final year, so we could straight focus on our thesis. After that, we have no longer experienced a peaceful day, for all the commotions going on— the preparations for our pinning ceremony, the designing and planning of our ojt uniform, and the important task of submitting our resume and application letter to each designated offices.
Our Human Resources, Clinical, and Guidance Office uniforms.
Our anxiety begin to stir, the moment our Dean announced our official deployment schedule and offices. I calmed myself with the thought, “wherever I will be heading, I know I am capable. Most importantly I have in me the spirit of noticing the fun out of every moment, so I will definitely going to be fine”. With this thought in mind, I regain my calm.
Surprisingly, at Bogo City's Regional Trial Court, particularly in Parole and Probation Administration Office we we're deployed. Only nine out of 40 students were appointed and I was caught off guard when I was called to be part of the PPA team. The reason as to why I didn't assume to, was that a senior once said to me, only the best and chosen favorites of our Dean would be given the chance to work at PPA; something I never dared to think of. There are many tales surrounding the terrors and burdens interns must faced at this office, for the name itself sounds intimidating, so I'll give you a context: The Parole and Probation Administration (PPA) is a psychology community field. It is a Philippine government agency under the Department of Justice responsible for supervising and rehabilitating offenders placed on probation, parole, or pardon, as well as first-time minor drug offenders under suspended sentence and those rendering community service. Established by Presidential Decree 968 ("The Probation Law of 1976"), it focuses on community-based treatment programs and restorative justice to promote social justice and reintegrate offenders into society [Source: Parole and Probation Administration https://share.google/hMys90o4KOIA9aJcS]
Given both the responsibility and honor to work at PPA, I was determined to make the most out of it. So everyday I give my best effort and try to never utter a word of complaint — until I know I fulfilled my duties victoriously to the end. Our daily activities are myriad and required the best of our competencies.
The makings of Post sentence investigation report(PSIR) about our clients
I will never forget how on my first day, I stumbled upon People Deprived of Liberty (PDL'S) waiting for their hearing in the halls of RTC. Their eyes wandered toward the people passing by, and I found myself avoiding their gaze. It wasn’t indifference — it was fear. I knew then that I wasn’t fully ready to face the rawest form of humanity before me.
That week, we visited the BJMP to interview a client, and I realized I had to confront situations I never thought I could brave. Standing across people whom society often sees as figures to be feared, my instinct was to turn away. But my work at the Probation Office began to challenge that.
(An interview with a detained client at BJMP)
It was never easy. To bring a humanistic heart into spaces where judgment easily thrives. My greatest fear was that I would be forced to toughen up, to put away my empathy and look at probationers as people beneath me. Yet contrary to that fear, the reality of the field I chose to take revealed itself: psychology, and the work it calls me to do, is not about hardening my heart but about strengthening it — about learning to fully listen, to extend compassion, and to believe in the possibility of redemption.
(Our No-program session at Barangay Batad)
Truth be told, the work at PPA wasn’t easy to love, and a part of me even silently declared “di gyud ko mingawon ani" (I am never going to miss any of this). But now that the adrenaline hush down, and the mountains of anxiety falls back to it's ground again. Like all the passing things in my life, I begun to see it wasn't that bad at all.
Now that I think of it, amid the tumultuous works PPA calls me to offer, what lightened the burden was
the people I'm with— my co-interns and our supervisors.
Funnily enough, it all felt so swift and sudden, we we're just counting the day three so joyously like it was so big of a deal and before we know it, we're full chaos sa gc rambling about our accomplishment report. However glad I feel now that it's over, I just can't believe it's finally over; and I would have to spend sometime reminiscing about everything. Like the traditions we built in just days — our daily walkathon from the office to the main road for the same old dish
the morning malunggay pandesal for the breakfastless, and every dinner hunt after duty.
These moments may be short and countable, but they’ll cling to my heart like their fading tired laughters after the clock strikes 5 p.m.
I come to conclusion, how I could not imagine living an idle life, one being spent chasing away the pleasures of my youth, and nothing more. I am always in pursuit of something I find meaningful and substantial (even if it means I burnt myself out every now and then). Ultimately, the best way to cherish your life is to give it away in service. This internship at PPA only make up about 25 days of my entirety, yet they are filled with memories and learnings I will carry for life. Goodbye for now, CARATs and PSIRs! So long, RTC, Dakit!
Anniesty Yours