Reflection Paper Webinar
Reflection Paper Webinar
NSTP 02-27
BS Psychology 1-1
REFLECTION PAPER
Community Exposure, Immersion, and Service Webinar
It is not hidden from everyone's knowledge that the Covid-19 pandemic has drastically
affected each and every one of our lives. However, despite the challenges brought upon the virus,
the spirit of the community does not falter. This was exhibited in the 2-day webinar held by the
Office of the National Service Training Program with the theme "The Bare Truth: Raising
Awareness and Engagement. " It was conducted on the 9th and 16th of May, aiming to provide
students enlightenment regarding community exposure, immersion, and service.
The first part of the webinar featured Ms. Maria Teresa R. Coman, the Executive Director
of SPECS Foundation, as its main speaker. She gave a brief explanation on the concept of
community and shared the experiences they had with regards to the impact of the pandemic in the
community, actions made to serve the community, as well as challenges in community service and
volunteerism. On the other hand, the speaker for the 2nd part of the webinar was Dr. Merry Mia-
Clamor, Coordinator of the Department of Family and Community Medicine and Community
Rotation of the College of Medicine of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. She also gave insights
regarding community and community service but was centered on the context of healthcare. Both
of the speakers did really well in explaining what it means to be exposed in the community, and
how community service works in our country. Among the concepts they have explained, the main
idea that lasted in my mind was the notion that community service is not unilateral. Rather, it is a
two-way process wherein both sides benefit, and both sides work together to achieve the desired
goal. First, both sides benefit for not only it helps the vulnerable populations, but it also allows the
volunteers to learn through their experiences as they engage with the community. The encounters
they have with the community provide them the knowledge that cannot be found in books, and at
the same time, gives them a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction just as how the beneficiaries feel
a sense of happiness. Second, the process of community service requires cooperation from both
sides wherein volunteers cannot just assume what the community needs, and act right away.
Rather, they should take into account the insights of the community in order for them to assess
their needs better, and eventually have the optimum outcome. Moving on, aside from this, what I
liked the most in the webinar was how they exhibited the spirit of community amidst the limitations
brought by the pandemic. It has shown the strong commitment of those who serve the poor
populations of our country, and that nothing, even this global epidemic, can eradicate their
willingness to serve the community.
To conclude, the webinar served as an eye-opener on the poor situations and struggles of a
lot of our Filipino people. It also allowed me to appreciate the things I have at the present for there
are a lot of people who are striving just to obtain their basic needs. Overall, the said event gave me
a strong desire to help the vulnerable people in our country even in simple ways and to engage in
community services as a student. Moreover, as an aspiring doctor, this gave me the motivation to
continue in my path as a future healthcare professional.