Building Resilient communities Through trauma-informed care

Day 1: Conference and Plenary Highlights

Held at the Bayanihan Center, Pasig City, the February 3 plenary gathered a multidisciplinary audience from across the country. The day featured a powerhouse lineup of speakers and thought leaders who delivered science-backed, socially relevant, and deeply moving insights:

• Dr. Robert Rhoton, President of the Arizona Trauma Institute, opened the conference with a keynote on the epigenetic impact of trauma and adversity, emphasizing how trauma leaves biological imprints that affect long-term health outcomes.

• Dr. Maria Asuncion Silvestre, the first Filipino laureate of the Emirates Health Foundation Award, shared a powerful presentation on the critical role of the first 1,000 days in shaping attachment, mental health, and lifelong resilience.

• Poy de Lara, international trauma and resilience life coach, unpacked the societal cost of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the urgent need for trauma-informed systems at every level of society.

Other featured sessions included:

• “Compassion Fatigue” by Sheena Joy Valencia, RN (UDRiVe Group)

• “Childhood Sexual Abuse” by Dr. Ma. Lourdes Medina (EMDR Philippines)

• “Hypnotherapy & NLP as Trauma Treatment” by Michael Lu (MindwellPH)

• “Trauma and Nutrition” by Rolando Yu, RN

• “Self-Regulation for Kids” by UDRiVe Kids

• “Trauma in the New Era” by Julie Ysabel Letrondo (Project LAAN)

• “Nutritional Supplementation for Mothers” by Dr. Anna Belen Ignacio Alensuela

Community Booth Exhibits: Engagement Beyond the Stage

The event also featured a vibrant community booth area showcasing real-world applications of trauma-informed care and grassroots advocacy:

• LATCH Los Baños conducted a Human Milk Donation Drive, raising awareness on the role of breastfeeding support in infant and maternal health.

• Virlanie Foundation Inc. highlighted trauma-informed rehabilitation programs for street-involved and marginalized children.

• Pook Tulungan, a community-led initiative from Cabuyao, Laguna, shared stories of resilience and empowerment through participatory healing programs.

• Unilab, the venue sponsor, supported the logistics and resource requirements of the full-day plenary, demonstrating the importance of public-private partnerships in trauma-focused advocacy.

DAY 2–6 | Immersive Professional Training with Dr. Robert Rhoton 

Day 2-4: Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist - Individual training (CCTS-I)

February 4–6, 2025 - A 3-day workshop designed for professionals seeking mastery in individualized trauma care. The training emphasized timing, sequencing, and modality alignment for sustainable healing outcomes.

Day 5-6: SAF-NET Workshop Salutogenic Asset-Focused Narrative Exposure Therapy 

February 7–8, 2025 - A strengths-based approach that equips practitioners to guide clients in reclaiming their stories and building forward-focused resilience.