Dangupanan Sa Parokya Ni San Jose

In Pope Francis’ message on the thirty-first World Day of the Sick, he said, “Illness is part of our human condition. However, if illness is experienced in isolation and abandonment, without being accompanied by care and compassion, it can become inhumane.” He also invited us all to reflect on the truth that it is especially through the experience of vulnerability and illness that we can learn to walk together in God’s style, which is closeness, compassion, and tenderness, hence, Dangupanan Hub/Center in St. Joseph Parish was established.

To align with the Archdiocesan Program, Dangupanan Hub/Center was established in St. Joseph Parish. The launching and blessing of Dangupanan Hub/Center and Dangupanan Box were done on January 11, 2026 after the 6:00 am Mass, presided by Rev. Fr. Roy Mejias.

After the blessing of Dangupanan Center and Box, the program started, which was held at the 3rd Floor of the new Building.

Ms. Mirasol Tiu, St. Joseph Parish Family and Life Apostolate (FLA) Coordinator, welcomed the participants. She explained that in adopting the Dangupanan Program, FLA commits itself to be a STAR (a guide), that is, Steward, Transformation, Adhere to Confidentiality, and Reliability. The people who will handle this program have undergone the Basic Counseling Workshop, initiated by the FLA Archdiocese of Davao last November 22 & 29, 2025, wherein a Continuous Learning Session on Helping Skills is required. Likewise, she also urged others with expertise in counseling to join the Dangupanan Program of St. Joseph Parish.

Fr. Roy Mejias is grateful to the Family and Life Apostolate for organizing the Dangupanan Center of St. Joseph Parish, which will care for and protect families experiencing emotional depression.

Part of the Program, two speakers were invited to give an orientation about Dangupanan, they were Ms. Annie Libres and Dr. Edcel Embalzado.

Ms. Annie Libres from DXGN Spirit-FM spoke about the history of Dangupanan, how and when it began. She said that after COVID, families isolated from home experienced depression, online studies affected students’ behavior, and suicide incidents increased. Hence, the launch of the Health Program under the Family and Life Apostolate was done on February 25, 2022, with collaboration of different sectors to realize their plans and achieve their goals and objectives.

Ms. Annie Libres discussed one of the schemes that would greatly make people aware of how to handle and detect signs of mental, emotional, and/or spiritual crises, and it is through Mass Media. Mam Annie Libres introduced the Program Show of Dangupanan, a 2-hour Program, livestreamed on DXGN 89.9 Spirit FM-Davao.

Dr. Edcel Embalzado, Doctor of Psychologist discussed what is Mental Health. He said that experiencing negative emotions such as fear, sadness, and grief is a normal human emotion. His advise is to find a way to escape, by enjoying the sadness, negative emotions, and move forward. He also reminded participants not to rely on news on social media because not all news is true, as it can affect personal behavior. Dr. Edcel discussed how to nurture Mental Health, and to know warning signs and risk factors.

After the orientation, a fellowship lunch was served to participants.

A short program (KASADRA) was presented by the Parish Youth Apostolate and the Divine Mercy Apostolate, highlighting the various types of problems experienced by families. The problems faced by families cannot be solved with money alone. They also need someone to whom they can vent and share the burdens they feel in their lives. (Emy D. Gamorot)