Spearheaded by the Saint Louis University Basic Education School – Senior High Center for Counseling and Wellness (SLU BEdS – CCW), “LANDAS: Linking Aspirations & Navigating Decisions toward Achieving Success”, the two-day career orientation for the Grade 12 learners of the SLU Basic Education School (BEdS), was held from 10 to 11 November 2026 at the Prince Bernhard Gym, SLU Main Campus.
The activity was opened by Assistant Registrar Triceayn Marie De Guzman Prestousa, RPm, RPsy. She shared general guidance on deciding one’s college program and emphasized the importance of making smart decisions that will shape the learners’ future.
SLU-BEdS Principal, Mr. Alejandro P. Pablico, then gave his remarks and described the acronym “LANDAS” as a journey. “Every journey requires direction… [But] having a direction does not necessarily mean knowing every turn. Sometimes, it’s simply having the courage to take the next step, the wisdom to make informed decisions, and the humility to seek guidance,” he explained.
Mr. Pablico also reminded the graduating batch to continuously model their Louisian values. “As Louisians, always choose what is right and what is proper.”
Each school discussed its own program offerings and potential career opportunities upon degree completion. The representatives also arranged friendly games for the students to engage in, learn from, and win prizes.
During Day 1, faculty members from the School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA), School of Accountancy, Management, Computing, and Information Studies (SAMCIS), School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA), and School of Medicine (SOM) facilitated the activities.
Engr. Lovely Lorenzo Rañosa and Engr. Helyn Y. Kidsolan represented SEA, covering every engineering major offered by the school, as well as the six-year BS Architecture program.
After a 25-minute health break, SAMCIS representative Mr. Jordan Mocnangan Tangonan virtually toured the students to the SLU Maryheights Campus during his presentation. He also emphasized the state-of-the art facilities and equipment used in the school, including high-end laboratory computers and the mini-hotel suite where Tourism and Hospitality students conduct their practicums.
STELA Dean Mary Pauline E. Namoca, PhD, RPsy took the stage to showcase the variety of programs offered by the school during the afternoon session. She also clarified the key difference between two similar programs—its own BA Communication and SAMCIS’s Bachelor of Multimedia Arts—which lies in the journalistic principles upheld by Communication courses and the more imaginative nature of BMMA.
SOM, through Dr. Judrelle Krizia Capinpin Mariano, then promoted the Accelerated Pathway for Medicine (APMed) and Medicine programs, encouraging students to pursue the field of medicine later in their higher education. She noted that the APMed program is now in its second year at SLU and offers a more direct path to earning a medical degree.
The second day of the orientation was led by the School of Nursing, Allied Health, and Biological Sciences (SONAHBS) and the School of Law (SOL). The Office of Global Relations, Alumni Affairs, and Scholarship Programs (OGRAASP) was also present to discuss scholarship programs that incoming college Louisians can apply for.
Representatives from SONAHBS each came from across all departments, namely Raymund F. Mamayson, PhD from the Nursing department; Mr. John Michael A. Guerzon of Medical Biology; Mr. Mark Alben B. Ponciano from the Medical Laboratory Sciences department; Pharmacy Faculty Mr. Mark Ryan D. Langit; Ms. Aira Jane Obice-Abella of Radiologic Technology; and Ms. Fortune L. Torrecampo from the Physical Therapy department. The speakers demonstrated their respective line of specializations by sharing pertinent information about their programs, including the curriculum, learning system, and national licensure examination passing rates.
Day 2 of the orientation continued with SOL Dean Atty. Yasmine Lee R. Tadeo. In her presentation, she explained how introversion, as an aspiring lawyer, does not disqualify a student from being one. She noted that confidence will come naturally in practice, because someone’s rights are in their hands.
Towards the end of the session, OGRAASP-Scholarship Coordinator Marie Cecila S. Abad discussed various scholarship/grant opportunities and their benefits offered by SLU, the government, and other private scholarships.
An open forum with alumni and the Sanggunian ng mga Nagkakaisang Mag-aaral (SANAMA/USC) representatives then transpired and served as a platform for both parties to discuss relative experiences, share insights, and provide advice for the younger generation.
The two-day career orientation aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 – Quality Education and SDG 17 – Partnership for the Goals by serving as a vision-builder that guides learners toward their future. Through “LANDAS”, SLU-CCW is committed to developing career-oriented students imbued with the Louisian core values. (Article by Elaine Duque, UIO Intern | Photos by Roberto Gabriel Romano, UIO Intern)
