Filipino counsellor makes a difference
Most common cases we encounter are unfair labour practices, termination at a time of personal financial crisis, grave homesickness, and some problems are traumatic like work abuse, which turn into suicidal episodes.” Dr Rommel Sergio
Dr Rommel Sergio renders psycho-social services that take stress out of life.
Dr Rommel Sergio had just finished providing free counseling to a distressed expat, who was about to commit suicide, when we interviewed him over the weekend.
He did not provide details due to the sensitivity of the case but it was one of his many pro bono services, aside from enhancing the counselling programme of officials and staff at the Philippine Consulate in Dubai and conducting a series of free psycho-social services for teachers and students.
“Every time I help someone in resolving personal issues — saving a life in this instance — I consider it my own way of making a difference in this world,” Sergio, a psychologist, professor and chair at the faculty of management at Canadian University Dubai, told
“If given an opportunity, I think everyone has to heed the call to give back to the community. In today’s world, we need to be more compassionate without asking anything in return,” he added.
For Sergio, giving is not just about charity work or providing financial assistance.
“Sometimes it’s the intangible support such as psycho-social services that create lasting impact on the lives of people who want to improve on their well-being,” he explained.
Sergio has also served as a consultant at the United International Private School, where he handled behavioural classroom management series for teachers, career mapping sessions and anti-bullying seminar-workshops for students.
“Passing on the kindness and compassion has been ingrained in me,” Sergio said. “I grew up in a community where, despite being impoverished, people would still take time to help one another.”
The son of an elementary school teacher and a soldier, Sergio, turning 43 this month, was born and raised in Baras, a fourth class municipality in the province of Rizal, north of Manila.
He said he attained success in life because he made “perseverance his bosom friend.” To financially support his family and for his education, he had to gather and sell charcoal around his neighbourhood when he was in grade school and high school. And while studying Bachelor of Science in Psychology in college, he worked as a writer for the Department of Health’s newsletter.
By the sweat on his brow, strong determination and mental acuity, Sergio continued post graduate studies and obtained a Master of Arts in Organisational Psychology from a state university; a PhD in Counselling Psychology (summa cum laude) from De La Salle University, Philippines; a post-doctoral bridge to Business Management from Tulane University in New Orleans, USA; and a second PhD in Human Resource Management (with high distinction) from University of Liverpool in the UK.
He has authored and co-authored several research journals which he presented in a number of international academic conferences, including at the Harvard University. Last year he was included in the ‘2016 Top 50 Global Educators’ by Oxford Journal, ‘Outstanding World Researcher’ by International Association of Multidisciplinary Research, and was given Presidential Award by Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte for being an outstanding overseas Filipino.
But before achieving success, Sergio experienced how it was to be at the receiver’s end. “There was even a time when we had to borrow money from a relative just to augment our fare to attend my own college graduation!,” he recalled.
“That was how difficult our life was. But being underprivileged has generated the passion in me to serve others,” he proudly said.
Other than providing free counselling, he also established Dr Rommel Sergio Scholarship Program, a foundation that provides full tuition fee to college scholars at the University of Rizal System, Philippines.
Sergio currently has 10 scholars and allocates 20 per cent of his salary for the foundation. Aside from spending his own money, he also has two benefactors who finance the programme.
“I’m paying it forward. I was once a scholar at the same university during the time my parents could not afford my education,” he said.
Sergio has also designed a gratis counsellor’s programme at the Philippine Consulate. He implemented it last year and the first phase was to provide the proper mindset for consular officials who face distressed OFWs (overseas Filipino workers).
“Most common cases we encounter are unfair labour practices, unexpected termination at a time of personal financial crisis, grave homesickness, and some problems are traumatic like work abuse which turn into suicidal episodes,” Sergio said.
“But I always emphasise that there is always someone to help. I was once in need and other people came to my aid. My advocacy of providing scholarship and the counselling programmes — these are all simple acts of kindness to pay it forward and promote positive psychology,” he concluded.