A bonafide Thomasian, Milagros Cortez-Arrevillaga graduated with degrees in Bachelor of Science in Education, major in English (cum laude) and Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology (magna cum laude). She earned the Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology, major in Clinical Psychology at De La Salle University, Manila.
“Myles/Mila” currently teaches Behavioral Science subjects at the Faculty of Arts and Letters and Clinical Counseling at the Graduate School of the University of Santo Tomas. In 2002, she with her husband (now deceased) co-authored the textbook “The Power of Speech.” Published by Rex Book Store, Inc., the books were specifically written for third and fourth-year high school students. A Speechpower consultant (1985-1998), Myles designed and handled training programs on communication skills, personal growth-related seminar workshops, and psycho-spiritual formation.
As a Registered Guidance Counselor, she is affiliated with the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association (PGCA) and the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP). A certified Gestalt Therapist (May 2015), she belongs to the first batch of Filipino Gestalt therapists under the supervision of Dr. Randy Dellosa of Life Change Recovery Center and the Gestalt Therapy Association of the Philippines.
Myles joined the old Research Cluster for Culture, Education, and Social Issues in 2013. Inspired by her previous involvements as an Adviser of the Youth Ministry of her Parish (Sagrada Familia, Caloocan City) and as one of the Evangelization Staff of Basic Ecclesial Communities, she is now engaged in studying the Spirituality of the Filipino Youth. Having presented her research in some local fora and conferences, she is slated to present her paper on “Spirituality of the Filipino Youth as Gleaned from Their Experiences of Having Absentee-Fathers: A Phenomenological Study” at the 6th SSEASR Conference on ‘Heritage in the History, Culture, and Religion of South and Southeast Asia’ that will be held on 04-07 June 2015 at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
In a similar vein, her study on “Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) Involvement and Its Relation to the Spiritual Growth of the Youth in Selected Areas of Metro Manila” was accepted for oral presentation at the International Conférence Mondiale des Institutions Universitaires Catholiques de Philosophie (COMIUCAP) Conference 2015.
