Faculty members, students, and alumni from the UST College of Rehabilitation Sciences Department of Occupational Therapy (OT) presented their research papers during the recently held 7th Asia-Pacific Occupational Therapy Congress. The Congress, which had for its theme “Celebrate Occupation.
Celebrate Life”, showcased the initiatives and innovations of occupational therapists across the region in fostering optimal occupational participation for all stakeholders. Relevant projects in response to the challenges of COVID-19 were also highlighted. Asst. Prof. Ivan Neil Gomez presented his two studies titled, “TEAM SURF: An occupational therapist’s critical reflection on interprofessional collaborative practice within a community-based surfing program for children with special needs” and “Examining the psychometric properties of the Sensory Processing and Self-Regulation Checklist-Tagalog Version: Preliminary Findings”.
Asst. Prof. Paulin Grace Espino discussed, “Screentime of Filipino children ages 0-5 years and parental attitude towards media use in this time of COVID-19 pandemic”.
Together with Asst. Prof. Ivan Neil Gomez and Ms. Irahjean Yvette Navarro (BSOT and MSOT alumna), she also facilitated a workshop on using and scoring the Card Assessment for Dysexecutive Function (CADE) – an informal and play-based assessment of children’s executive functions. Asst. Prof. Kim Gerald Medallon and OT intern Mr. Antonio Gabriel Pantilla presented their study titled, “Generation of a Competency List for Occupational Therapists in Inclusive Education Settings in Metro Manila, Philippines”. Another alumnus, Mr. Giancarlo Valdivia, together with Ms. Joan Gabrielle Garcia presented “TW Sports: Ready, set, participate! (An aquathlon sports-readiness program for kids with special needs)”.
Alumnus Mr. Rod Charlie delos Reyes discussed, “Narratives of Filipino pediatric occupational therapists on telehealth”. An OT student in his third year, Mr. Adonis Evan Basa during the pandemic with his work titled, “COVID happened… but OT life must persist” during the Students’ Forum. Faculty members Mr. Charles Bermejo, Ms. Carol Mae Protacio, Asst. Prof. Ivan Neil Gomez, and Asst. Prof. Kim Gerald Medallon served as moderators and facilitators during the parallel sessions. UST OT interns currently rotating in PAOT were part of the Congress organizing committee.
