by Kim Irene G. Manaloto, Grade 10 Associate Guidance
“Cura Personalis” – caring for the other person. This is one of the phrases that the school, Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu, lives by. It is all about caring for the other person, as a whole. And as part of the efforts of the school in forming students holistically, the Junior High School (JHS) Department, facilitated by the Formation Team, organizes formation talks for Ateneo Hearter students every school year.
Last October 23, 2025, the JHS Department held four Formation Talks, one for each grade level, which was spearheaded by the Guidance Services. All four talks were thoughtfully designed to suit each grade level, addressing anti-bullying, relationships, addiction, and career decision-making, while remaining connected through a common digital theme. Each session explores how young people can use technology wisely and compassionately in today’s digital age, promoting digital awareness in an increasingly connected world.
For the Grade 7 students, the talk titled “Before You Tap, Mind the Trap: How Cyberbullying Hurts Hearts and Minds” was facilitated by Ms. Joyce Mary Mendoza, RPM, CCTAP, CASDS. The talk aimed to help students reflect on how their words and actions online can build up or harm others, promoting compassion and accountability in digital spaces.
The Grade 8 talk titled “Real Connections, Virtual Screens: The Impact of Social Media on Well-Being: Interpersonal Interactions and Relationships” was led by Mr. Kevin Ken Remedio, a BS Psychology teacher from the University of San Carlos. It focused on helping students explore how social media shapes relationships and emotional well-being, while reflecting on building genuine connections both online and offline.
For the Grade 9 students, they had a talk entitled “Click with Care, Be Aware: Cura Personalis in a Connected World – Internet Use and the Care of the Soul” was delivered by Mr. Carlfrankl Frederick Y. Glarino, M.A., RPsy, a Clinical Psychologist at Safe Space Psychological Services. The talk discussed how excessive internet use can affect one’s well-being and sense of self, guiding students to practice balance, mindfulness, and care for their inner life.
Lastly, the Grade 10 students attended a talk entitled “Choose with a Purpose: Career Development in the Digital Era: Decision-Making with Wisdom and Discernment,” facilitated by Ms. Nancy Lourdes U. Toledo, an Ateneo Hearter Formator. It focused on helping students understand how to navigate digital information wisely and make discerning career decisions in today’s online-driven world.
All four talks were timely and relevant. We cannot deny that we now live in a digital world, and learning to adapt to these changes has become essential. A clear example of this was how the formation talks, which were originally planned to be held onsite, had to be shifted online via MS Teams Webinar due to the recent events affecting the province. This adjustment showed not only adaptability but also the school’s continued commitment to forming students holistically despite the challenges.
