ACC - Gender and Development

𝗔𝗖𝗖 𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗣 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Aklan Catholic College (ACC) celebrated Women’s Month 2026 with the theme “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor: Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas” on March 13, 2026, at the ACC Gymnasium, Main Campus.

The event gathered ACC NSTP students to recognize the contributions of women and promote awareness of gender equality, empowerment, and women’s rights.

Ms. Archiane Lenz I. Fernandez, Guidance Counselor of the Basic Education Department, delivered the opening message, emphasizing the dedication, courage, and global contributions of women in shaping society.

“Celebrating Women's Month is not only about honoring achievements but also reaffirming our commitment to empowerment, equality, and respect for all women and girls,” she said.

The program featured two guest speakers who shared valuable insights on women’s roles in nation-building, technology, and the legal rights that protect them.

The first speaker, Mrs. Cyndilyn L. Agudo-Guerrero, OIC Dean of the Faculty of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), highlighted the importance of collaboration between women and men in building a progressive nation. She also shared her personal journey in the field of ICT, inspiring students to pursue opportunities in technology.

“Technology does not ask if you are male or female. Technology asks if you are curious, creative, and willing to learn,” she said.

The second speaker, Atty. Annyka Frances Beatriz C. Dela Cruz, Associate Lawyer at Gepty Dela Cruz Morales and Associates, discussed the role of women in history, citing the babaylans as early female leaders. She also explained key legal concepts and laws that protect women’s rights and promote gender equality.

“You can apply this to yourself, to your sisters, to your wives, mothers, and grandmothers. We are one society — whatever affects our women will also affect our men, and whatever affects our men will also affect our women,” she said.

Students participated during the open forum, raising questions related to the discussions and sharing their perspectives. Certificates of recognition were then awarded to the guest speakers in appreciation of their contributions.

The program concluded with closing remarks from Ms. Lalaine Joy M. Dela Cruz, who expressed gratitude to the speakers, organizers, and participants who made the event successful.

The Women’s Month celebration aimed to recognize the achievements of women while inspiring the community to continue promoting equality, empowerment, and shared progress.

Scribe: Alyza Lou R. Magno
Shots: Alyza Lou R. Magno & Ferzele Sardañas

✨ Empowered Women, Empowered Future! ✨

Join us as we celebrate Women’s Month with an inspiring seminar dedicated to the strength, resilience, and brilliance of women in our society, as the GAD and Guidance Offices proudly present this year’s theme: “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas.”

Get ready to hear from incredible speakers diving deep into women’s empowerment, fundamental rights, and the journey of overcoming challenges in the modern workforce this March 13, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the ACC Main Gymnasium.

While this event is REQUIRED for all 1st year students, ACCians from all year levels are warmly encouraged to attend and be part of the movement toward a more inclusive future!

The Attendance will be facilitated by the ACC Supreme Student Government, so make sure to arrive early to secure your spot as we honor the women who lead, inspire, and pave the way.

See you there! ✊💜

Teka lang, may Part 2 pa! 🧑‍🎤

Apart from art expression, students also immersed themselves in expression through music. The awaited Battle of the Bands of Expression Day 2026 was held on February 9, 2026, performing songs that suit the theme "This is My Place."

And that's a wrap! 🥰

The 🎨Masks We Wear Competition🎨, one of the main contests of the Expression Day 2026 was officially held on February 10, 2026. Grade school participants were tasked to draw in plain masks their understanding of emotions and/or gender, and they definitely understood their assignment! ✨

The awarding was then held on February 13, 2026.

Keep creating and keep expressing ACCians!

🧠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 💬

As our Mental Health Booth comes to a close, we celebrate the stories, smiles, and shared moments that reminded us how healing begins when we listen — and when we are heard. 🌿

Now, we’d love to hear from you! 💜🩷
Scan the QR code and share your experience — your voice will help us grow and continue creating spaces that nurture healing, balance, and connection. 🌸

This activity is an initiative of the Gender and Development (GAD) Office, in partnership with the Guidance Office, held in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month and the World Mental Health Day theme: “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies.” 💚

🪷 Share your thoughts here:

https://forms.gle/QXex1n5Sm3FpYQhg8

https://forms.gle/QXex1n5Sm3FpYQhg8

https://forms.gle/QXex1n5Sm3FpYQhg8

𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 |
𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐: 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥 💚🌸

"Sa gitna ng sakuna at pagkalito, nagiging tahanan ang mga taong handang makinig." 💬

This heartfelt sentiment beautifully echoes this year’s World Mental Health Day theme — “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies.”

Students, faculty, and staff from both Higher Education and Basic Education joined Day 2 of our 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐡, embracing the message of healing, balance, and connection through shared experiences of support and reflection. 🌿

This booth is an initiative of the Gender and Development (GAD), in partnership with the Guidance Office, promoting compassion, awareness, and access to mental health services for all. 🌼

Let’s keep opening doors to healing and making mental health support accessible for all. 💚

𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 |
𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟏: 𝐀 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝🧠✨

Our Junior High School, Senior High School, and Faculty joined the first day of our 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐡 in celebration of the theme “𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬: 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬.” Together, we embraced the beauty of healing, balance, and connection.

Through every activity, we rediscovered what it means to heal:

🏗️ Jenga reminded us that balance is built on support — when one piece wobbles, others hold steady.
💌 “Who Can Help?” helped us recognize the importance of reaching out and knowing where to turn in times of need.
🎨 Healing in Every Hue invited everyone to express emotions through art, proving that healing comes in many shades.
🎯 Wellness Bingo turned small acts of self-care into moments of fun and mindfulness.
🧺 The Worry Basket offered a safe space to let go — to write down what weighs heavy and choose peace instead.
🌷 The Affirmation Jar gently reminded us to fill our minds with hope, one positive word at a time.

Participants took home candies, stickers, and ballpens as reminders that kindness and care can start with small.🍬

The booth will still be open tomorrow — come join us and take part in activities that nurture your heart and mind. 💜🩷

See you!

𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐨.

We’ve weathered typhoons, floods, and even earthquakes — and while we rebuild our homes, let’s not forget to care for the space that holds our thoughts and emotions: our mind. 🧠

This World Mental Health Awareness Month, the ACC Gender and Development (GAD), together with the Guidance Office, opens a special corner of comfort, creativity, and care — the 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐡.

Step into a space that welcomes your worries and lifts your spirits.
✨ Try our mini games that teach where to find help during crises.
🎨 Breathe through art and color at our relaxation corner.
🧺 Drop your burdens in the Worry Basket.
💌 Pick a note from our Affirmation Jar — a small message of hope for your day.
🎁 And yes, there are stickers, candies, and ballpens waiting for you, too!

📍 October 13 – ACC Annex, New Building (Colleges & SHS)
📍 October 14 – ACC Annex, Beside the Covered Court (JHS & GS)

Visit us if ever you are free!🥰

Let’s remind one another that healing doesn’t always come in grand gestures — sometimes, it starts with a small note, a smile, or a shared game. 🩷💜

🌼💚 “𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧, 𝐬𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐥𝐚: 𝐇𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢 𝐤𝐚 𝐧𝐚𝐠-𝐢𝐢𝐬𝐚.”

Sa ating Basic Ed community, bawat ngiti, bawat kumustahan, at bawat kwento ay may saysay. This month, as we commemorate Su***de Prevention Month, the Peer Facilitators Circle and the Guidance Office, in collaboration with Gender and Development (GAD), remind us to be gentle with ourselves and kinder to others. 💭✨

Alalahanin natin: “𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞” begins with choosing hope, sharing love, and creating safe spaces—para sa isa’t isa. 🩷💜

🌸🌼In commemoration of 𝗦𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆, the Gender and Development, together with the Guidance Office and the Office of Student Affairs, opened a 𝗛𝗢𝗣𝗘 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗵 for the higher education community of Aklan Catholic College.

With the theme “Changing the Narrative,” students and staff were invited to reflect and recharge through a Freedom Wall with the prompt “𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲?”, a Self-care Bingo, and uplifting questions & dares—all to uplift spirits especially during exam week. 🎓🌱

Every smile, story, and laugh was met with little tokens of gratitude—stickers and chocolates 🍫—reminding us that even small gestures can spark hope.

Because at Aklan Catholic College, we believe that hope heals, and no one is ever alone. 💚💫

***dePreventionDay