#ProudViscan Guidance Counselor to lead PH Guidance and Counseling Association in Region 8
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- Written by Claudette Meli Hoff E. Garduce
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Published: 30 October 2025
#ProudViscan Kent Jan A. Beldia, one of VSU’s guidance counselors, was elected as the new President of the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association-Eastern Visayas Chapter, Inc. (PGCA) during the First Annual Regional General Assembly and Convention held on September 17-19, 2025.
Beldia, a Registered Guidance Counselor and Certified Solution Focused Practitioner and Coordinator of VSU Counseling & Responsive Care, recently led the first-ever regional convention for mental health professionals and advocates in Region 8.
[READ: VSU partners with EV chapter of Guidance and Counseling Association for first regional convention]
Leading the way in mental wellness, the PCGA is the country’s officially recognized steward for guidance counselors, a national mission that VSU is now championing at the regional level.
Beldia shared his visions and guiding principles for the profession, highlighting a path forward. He detailed how the PCGA’s expertise can help transform VSU’s student support services, counseling curriculum, and faculty development into a modern, holistic model of care.
“My vision for the holistic development of VSU students is centered on creating a university culture where mental health, socioemotional learning, and character development are integral to the educational system, not add-ons.”
To realize this vision, Bedia has also laid the strategic groundwork for his vision he calls the 3-Es Framework for Viscans: Enhance student resilience through peer-led preventive education, Expand access to responsive care and specialized mental health services, and Emphasize the development of Viscan character.
Beldia states the true definition of Viscan. “True branding is not in the logos or font styles. True branding is in the character of our students, graduates, faculty, and staff. Since manners maketh man, then our core values make us true Viscans.” he added.
The newly-elected President is hopeful for his visions and is not alone in his optimism. VSU’s influence on regional counseling is expanding as his fellow counselors, Ms. Chona Brit and Ms. Mary Ann Cobico, were also elected as Board Members of PCGA-EV.
Their representation means VSU can now tap into the PCGA network to offer continuous advancement training for its counseling faculty and transform VSU into a regional hub in counseling.
This article is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being; SDG 4: Quality Education; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
