The Court Social Worker

31/08/2026

DSWD PRESS RELEASE: Procurement for food packs goes through transparent, competitive process – DSWD chief

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary REX Gatchalian on Monday (August 31) debunked a viral post of a netizen in Facebook who alleged that the cost of the contents of each family food packs (FFPs) was more than Php1,500.

Stressing that the procurement of FFPs undergoes a transparent and competitive bidding process, the DSWD chief said the viral post was a clear case of misinterpretation and ‘fake news’ since the actual cost of the contents of each FFP is less than Php800. (AKDL)

See comments section for full story.

❤️

31/08/2026

Makakabangon pa ba tayo Bulakenyo?

Reclamation changes the natural flow of water. If we move the shoreline without redesigning the waterways, the flood will simply find a new place to live, and that place may be someone’s home.

30/08/2026

𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗙 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗦 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗔 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡.

Nakikita ko yung mga nagko-compare ng relief goods ni Ivana Alawi at ng DSWD.

And honestly, why?

Saludo ako kay Ivana. She chose to use her own resources to help people affected by the floods. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗺.

Pero huwag nating kalimutan: 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗸𝗮𝗶𝗯𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗮.

Si Ivana 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽, 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲.

Ang DSWD? 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗚𝗨𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀.

So comparing one private individual's relief package to a government-wide disaster response system is like comparing isang ambulansya sa buong healthcare system.

𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗸𝗮𝗶𝗯𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲. 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗸𝗮𝗶𝗯𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗸𝗮𝗶𝗯𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲.

If you want to criticize DSWD, then criticize response time, coverage, coordination, targeting, and accountability.

𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗵𝘂𝘄𝗮𝗴 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗮𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴.

Kapag may taong tumulong, 𝗵𝘂𝘄𝗮𝗴 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗸𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗯𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗶𝘆𝗮 𝗸𝗮𝘆𝘀𝗮 𝘀𝗮 𝗶𝗯𝗮.

Ang tanong dapat:

“May natulungan ba siyang nangangailangan?”

Because in times of disaster, we need more people helping—not people competing over who helped better.

And perhaps the bigger question is not “Sino ang mas magandang relief goods?”

Kundi: “Bakit paulit-ulit tayong nangangailangan ng relief goods?”

— The Court Social Worker

📷 photo credits to: DSWD FO III

29/08/2026

🎯 𝗦𝗜𝗥 𝗘𝗠𝗠𝗔𝗡’𝗦 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦

𝗠𝘆 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀 — 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝟯 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝘀! 😂📚

Bes, bago tayo magpatuloy sa usual Board Exam tips, ito naman ang personal techniques na ginawa ko noong nag-take ako ng Nursing, Teacher, at Social Work Board Exams.

Hindi ito magic. Hindi rin guarantee na papasa ka. 😂
Pero these are the things that helped me stay calm, focused, and prepared.

𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 #𝟭 — 𝗕𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗢𝗨𝗦, 𝗕𝗨𝗧 𝗗𝗢𝗡’𝗧 𝗟𝗘𝗧 𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗟 𝗬𝗢𝗨.

Normal lang kabahan, bes.

Actually, a little nervousness can make you more alert and focused.

Ang goal is not to be “walang kaba.”

Ang goal ay:

Kumakabahan pero lumalaban. 😂

Huwag masyadong overconfident, pero huwag mo ring hayaang lamunin ka ng kaba.

𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 #𝟮 — 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗟𝗬.

May kasabihan:

“Hindi ka papasa kung hindi mo nabasa cover-to-cover ang Orange Book ni Ma’am Thelma Lee.” 😂

Of course, walang book na automatic magpapapasa sa'yo.

But if it's one of your major references, know it well—not just the highlighted portions.

Understand the concepts.
Understand the terms.
Understand the principles.

Hindi sapat ang “familiar.” Dapat naiintindihan mo.

𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 #𝟯 — 𝗗𝗢𝗡’𝗧 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗢𝗡 𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗠 𝗗𝗔𝗬. 😂

Kumain nang sapat.

Huwag mag-overeat kasi ayaw nating ang kalaban mo sa exam ay antok at food coma. 😭

And please…

Huwag mag-try ng bagong food or bagong supplement on exam day.

Kung ano ang hiyang ka na, iyon na.

Board Exam na nga, nag-experiment ka pa ng breakfast. 😂

𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 #𝟰 — 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗬 𝗔𝗦 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗦 𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗘.

Kung kaya ng budget, consider staying somewhere reasonably close to your examination venue.

Why?

Less travel time.
Less traffic stress.
Less chance na maligaw.
More time to rest.

Hindi kailangan pinakamahal na hotel. Ang importante, convenient at safe.

𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 #𝟱 — 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗠 𝗞𝗜𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘.

Huwag sa exam morning mo pa hahanapin ang gamit mo. 😭

Check your essentials ahead of time:

✏️ Pencils
📄 Long brown envelope
✏️ Sharpener
🪪 NOA and other required documents

And of course, check the latest PRC instructions for the specific examination.

Exam kit muna bago Netflix. 😂

𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 #𝟲 — 𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗨𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗠 𝗗𝗔𝗬.

Kung possible, puntahan mo na ang school or testing venue beforehand.

Estimate:

⏰ Travel time
🚗 Traffic
📍 Exact location
🚪 Building/room location

Para sa actual exam day, hindi ka na:

“Lord, saan po ba ito?” 😭😂

You already know where you're going.

𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 #𝟳 — 𝗕𝗘 𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗬. 𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗬.

My personal rule:

Mas okay nang maaga kaysa naghahabol.

Give yourself enough time to get to the examination room, settle down, breathe, and prepare mentally.

Ayaw nating papasok ka sa room na:

“Hingal… pawis… kinakabahan… nasaan ang room?!?” 😭

Arrive early. Start calm.

𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 #𝟴 — 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔 𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗. 🍫

Ako? Chocolate bar. 😂

For me, it became a small source of comfort during a long examination.

Hindi ibig sabihin na “Chocolate = automatic pass.” 😂

Think of it as a little energy boost and something familiar that can make you feel better.

Just don't bring half the grocery store.

Exam, bes. Hindi picnic. 😂

𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 #𝟵 — 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗖 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦.

READ. LISTEN. PAY ATTENTION.

Kapag nagsasalita na ang PRC representative, stop whatever you're doing and listen.

Huwag magmadali.

Important instructions are there for a reason.

Hindi ito yung time na “narinig ko na yata ‘yan.” 😭

𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 #𝟭𝟬 — 𝗗𝗢𝗡’𝗧 𝗥𝗨𝗦𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗠..

Take your time.

Hindi ito pabilisan.
Pero hindi rin naman “one question, 20 minutes.” 😂

Manage your time wisely.

Read carefully.
Think.
Answer.
Move forward.

Steady lang, bes.

𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 #𝟭𝟭 — 𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗠, 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗘.

Ito ang isa sa pinaka-importante.

Paglabas ng examination room:

WAG MUNA MAKIPAG-COMPARE NG SAGOT. 😂

“Bes, ano sagot mo sa #47?”
“C!”
“WHAT?! B ako!”
“Pero sabi ng reviewer…”
😭😭😭

Then suddenly, goodbye peace of mind.

You've already answered. The exam is over.

Rest. Eat. Go home. Pray.

Huwag mo nang i-re-take sa utak mo ang exam.

𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 #𝟭𝟮 — 𝗦𝗟𝗘𝗘𝗣.

The night before the exam is not the time to discover 500 pages you've never read. 😭😂

Get enough rest so you can think clearly the next day.

Mas okay ang rested brain kaysa puyat na brain na nagre-review pero wala nang pumapasok.

𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 #𝟭𝟯 — 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗙.

You studied.
You prepared.
You showed up.

So please…

Believe in yourself.

Sino pa ba ang unang maniniwala sa kakayahan mo kung ikaw mismo ay puro duda sa sarili mo?

Kaba is normal.

But tell yourself:

“Ginawa ko ang parte ko. Kaya ko 'to.” ❤️

𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 #𝟭𝟰 — 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗜𝗚 𝗗𝗔𝗬.

Personally, I prefer to ease off intensive studying as the exam gets very close rather than panic-cramming until the last minute.

The goal is not to enter the examination room knowing every single word you've ever read.

The goal is to enter with a clear, rested, and focused mind.

So kapag malapit na ang exam:

Less panic. More confidence. More rest.

𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 #𝟭𝟱 — 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗠-𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗦.

Check the latest PRC dress code and examination guidelines for your specific board exam.

Prepare your clothes beforehand.

And if the testing center tends to be cold:

MAGDALA NG JACKET. 😂

Ayaw nating ang kalaban mo sa exam ay:

“What is Social Work?”

tapos ang iniisip mo:

“Bakit parang nasa freezer ako?” 😭

𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 #𝟭𝟲 — 𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬. 🙏

Above all these tips…

MAGDASAL.

Kapag ginawa mo na ang lahat ng kaya mo at dumating sa point na wala ka nang control, surrender the rest to God.

Do your part.

Trust Him with what you cannot control.

“Lord, ginawa ko na po ang kaya ko. Ikaw na po bahala sa hindi ko na kayang kontrolin.” ❤️

❤️ AND FINALLY…

𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 #𝟭𝟳 — 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗦, 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗛𝗢 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣𝗘𝗗 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘.

Kapag dumating ang araw na makita mo ang pangalan mo sa listahan…

Huwag mong kalimutan ang mga taong kasama mo sa journey.

Your family.
Your friends.
Your teachers.
Your mentors.
Your classmates.
Those who believed in you when you were doubting yourself.

And when you finally become a Registered Social Worker…

Give back.

Use what you learned not only to build a career, but to serve people and your community.

Because passing the Board Exam is not the finish line.

It is the beginning of your responsibility as a professional. ❤️

— Sir Emman / The Court Social Worker

28/08/2026

📚 𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞 𝗕𝗢𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗠 𝗧𝗜𝗣𝗦 #𝟭𝟵, #𝟮𝟬 & #𝟮𝟭

𝟭𝟵. 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗜𝗴𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗮 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱.

Pwede kang gumamit ng elimination technique, pero dapat alam mo muna kung bakit mo inaalis ang isang choice.

Minsan, may unfamiliar term at ang reaction natin:

“Ay, hindi ko alam ‘to. Mali siguro.” 😭

Not necessarily.

👉 Read the whole sentence.
👉 Understand the context.
👉 Try to determine what the choice is actually saying.
👉 Eliminate only when you have a reason.

Habang nababawasan ang choices, tumataas ang chance mong makuha ang tamang sagot. 📈

𝟮𝟬. 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗢𝗻𝗲 “𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴” 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿.

May choices na parang ang lakas pakinggan:

“ALWAYS.” “NEVER.” “IN ALL CASES.”

Tapos mapapaisip ka:

“Ay, confident. Mukhang tama.” 😂

Not so fast.

In Social Work, many situations depend on context, assessment, client needs, and circumstances.

So when you see absolute or conditional wording, don't choose based on the word alone.

Read the entire statement and check if it actually fits the question.

𝟮𝟭. 𝗕𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗼 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲. 😂

Board Exam 'to, bes—not “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” 😭

Kung may choice na parang joke, sobrang nakakatawa, or obviously out of place compared with the other options…

possible clue na iyon. 😂

Pero don't rely on humor alone. Read the question and evaluate the choices based on content and context.

💡 Bonus reminder:
Huwag kang humanap ng patterns. Di 'yan Connect the Dots, bes! 😂

The Board Exam is not about finding hidden patterns between A-B-C-D.

Focus on the question. Focus on the concept. Focus on the best answer.

And most importantly…

📖 𝗕𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗬 𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗬.

Multiple-choice questions can test small details and specific concepts that are difficult to retain if you try to cram everything at the last minute.

So please, future RSWs:

Huwag gawing overnight ang buong Social Work curriculum. 😭😂

Start early. Review consistently. Give your brain time to learn, retain, and recall.

Hindi lahat nadadaan sa stock knowledge at dasal. Kawawa naman si Lord kung sa kanya mo lahat iaasa😂🙏

-The Court Social Worker

28/08/2026

𝗧𝗢 𝗠𝗬 𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞 𝗕𝗢𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗥𝗦: 𝗟𝗘𝗧’𝗦 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗕𝗢𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗠 𝗔𝗡𝗫𝗜𝗘𝗧𝗬.

I know some of you are feeling it already.

“Sir, parang wala akong natutunan.”
“Ang dami kong nakakalimutan.”
“Bakit hindi ko masagot kahit napag-aralan ko na?”
“Paano kung bumagsak ako?”
“Paano kung ma-disappoint ko ang pamilya ko?”

I want you to know something:

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱.

Board Exam-related anxiety is real.

Kapag malapit na ang exam, hindi unusual na makaramdam ng panic, mental block, brain fog, self-doubt, at pagod. Minsan, habang nagre-review ka, pakiramdam mo mas marami ka pang hindi alam kaysa sa alam mo.

Pero please remember:

Feeling unprepared is not always the same as being unprepared.

Kapag anxious ka, your mind can make you believe that you know nothing—even when you actually know more than you think.

Kaya huwag mong sabihin sa sarili mo:

“Ang bobo ko.”

Instead, say:

“Kinakabahan ako. Pero pwede pa akong matuto.”

Magkaiba 'yan.

One attacks your identity.

The other acknowledges your emotion without giving up on yourself.

And please be careful with your IDEAL SELF.

Your Ideal Self says:

"Dapat alam ko na lahat."
"Four years akong nag-Social Work. Dapat hindi na ako nakakalimot."
"Dapat mataas scores ko sa lahat ng mock exams."
"Dapat confident na ako."

But your Real Self says:

"May nakakalimutan ako."
"May mga topics na mahina ako."
"May mga tanong na hindi ko alam."
"Pero may oras pa para mag-improve."

Listen to your Real Self.

Your Ideal Self can inspire you, but if you constantly compare yourself to that perfect version of yourself, it can also become a source of unnecessary pressure.

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺.

You need to know enough, understand the concepts, develop test-taking judgment, and keep improving.

If you scored 40 before and you're now getting 60 or 70—

THAT IS PROGRESS.

If you got a low score today—

THAT IS DATA, NOT A DEATH SENTENCE.

Review your mistakes.

Ask yourself:

What did I misunderstand?
What did I forget?
What clue did I miss?
Why was the correct answer better than my choice?

That's how you grow.

And please stop comparing your scores with everyone else.

May 80.

May 90.

May 50.

May 30.

Hindi pare-pareho ang journey ninyo.

Your classmate's score is not your destiny.

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺 𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗥𝗖 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴.

And one bad day does not erase months of preparation.

Now, about the fear of FAILURE.

I know some of you are afraid not only of failing—but of what people will say if you fail.

"Akala ko ba magaling siya?"
"Ang dami niyang review center."
"Best in groupwork pero bumagsak."

Listen.

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗟𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲.

You're taking it because you have a dream.

Maybe that dream is to help your family.

Maybe it's to finally see “RSW” after your name.

Maybe it's to give back to your parents.

Maybe it's that dream tarpaulin you've imagined for years.

Whatever your reason is—

hold on to it.

But don't let the pressure of proving yourself to other people destroy the very person who is trying to reach that dream.

And remember this:

Your worth is bigger than one examination.

Yes, we want you to pass.

Yes, we will study hard.

Yes, we will give this exam everything we've got.

But your result will never determine whether you are worthy of becoming a good human being, a good professional, or a person deserving of respect.

So, what do you do when anxiety hits?

STOP. BREATHE. RESET.

Don't force yourself to study for hours while your brain is already overwhelmed.

Take a short break.

Drink water.

Eat properly.

Sleep.

Pray.

Then come back.

Study smart—not just hard.

Answer questions.

Review your mistakes.

Focus on weak areas.

Repeat concepts.

And don't keep jumping from one reviewer to another just because you're scared that you're missing something.

At this stage, consistency is more important than collecting more materials.

And if your anxiety is becoming overwhelming—if it's already affecting your sleep, daily functioning, or ability to cope—please ask for help.

Talk to someone you trust.

Talk to your family.

Talk to your mentor.

And if necessary, seek help from a qualified mental health professional.

As future Social Workers, we should also know when we need help.

Asking for help is not weakness.

It is self-awareness.

To my September Social Work Board Exam takers:

You don't have to be fearless.

You don't have to feel 100% ready.

You don't have to know everything.

You just have to keep moving.

One topic.

One practice test.

One mistake corrected.

One concept understood.

One day at a time.

And when the examination day finally comes, I hope you can tell yourself:

“Hindi ko man alam lahat, pero ginawa ko ang lahat ng kaya ko.”

Then breathe.

Read carefully.

Trust your preparation.

Pray.

And answer.

Because sometimes, the biggest battle before the Board Exam isn't the questions on the test paper.

It's the voice inside your head telling you that you can't.

So this September—

Don't let anxiety answer the exam for you.

YOU answer it.

Future RSW, laban. ❤️

See you on the other side. 🙏

— 𝗦𝗶𝗿 𝗘𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗻, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿

27/08/2026

📚𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞 𝗕𝗢𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗠 𝗧𝗜𝗣𝗦 #𝟭𝟲, #𝟭𝟳 & #𝟭𝟴

𝟭𝟲. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗲𝘄 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀, 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗔𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿.

Kapag halos wala ka nang idea at kailangan mo nang mag-eliminate, look at how the choices are written.

Be cautious with answers that sound too absolute, like:

👉 always
👉 never
👉 all
👉 none

Answers with qualifiers such as:

👉 usually
👉 sometimes
👉 generally
👉 may

can sometimes be more reasonable because Social Work situations are often context-dependent.

Pero reminder: Hindi ito magic formula. Hindi porket may “usually” sa choice, siya na agad ang tama. 😂

𝟭𝟳. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗢𝗱𝗱𝘀.

Hindi mo kailangan malaman agad kung alin ang correct answer.

Minsan, ang first goal mo muna ay malaman:

“Alin dito ang definitely WRONG?”

Tanggalin ang choices na hindi tugma sa question, unethical, irrelevant, or clearly inconsistent with the situation.

Habang nababawasan ang choices, tumataas ang chance mong makuha ang tamang sagot. 📈

Pero importante:

Huwag mag-eliminate ng choice dahil lang unfamiliar ang isang word.
Make sure na naiintindihan mo muna kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng choice.

𝟭𝟴. 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿, 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲.

Minsan, may choices na:

A. Short and vague
B. Mahaba pero paikot-ikot
C. Specific and directly answers the question
D. Parang may kulang

Don't automatically assume na “mahaba = tama.” 😂

Instead, ask:

👉 Which choice directly answers the question?
👉 Which one is more precise?
👉 Which one is professionally appropriate?
👉 Which one actually fits the situation?

💡 Board Exam reminder:
The correct answer may sometimes be noticeably longer or more precise—but content matters more than length.

Hindi paramihan ng words. Paramihan ng sense. 😂

-The Court Social Worker

26/08/2026

📚 𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞 𝗕𝗢𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗠 𝗧𝗜𝗣𝗦 #𝟭𝟯, #𝟭𝟰 & #𝟭𝟱

𝟭𝟯. 𝗔𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲.

Ito ang isang importanteng mindset sa Board Exam:

“Pero sa actual work namin, ganito naman…” 🤔

Stop muna, bes. 😂

Your personal experience can help you understand a situation, but it should not automatically dictate your answer.

Sa Board Exam, ask yourself:

👉 What does Social Work ethics say?
👉 What is professionally appropriate?
👉 What should happen—not simply what usually happens in real life?

Remember: Hindi porket ginagawa sa actual practice, ibig sabihin ethical or professionally correct na.

When in doubt, balik sa Social Work Code of Ethics, professional principles, theories, and standards of practice.

𝟭𝟰. 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿.

May mga situational questions na parang teleserye. 😂

Ang haba ng story, ang daming details, may side characters pa… tapos ang tanong pala ay isang simple question lang. 😭

Don’t get distracted by unnecessary information.

👉 Read the situation.
👉 Identify the actual question.
👉 Separate relevant information from details that don't affect your answer.
👉 Then analyze the choices.

Huwag mong sagutin ang buong kwento. Sagutin mo ang tanong. 😂

💡 Sometimes, the hardest part isn't knowing the answer—it's figuring out what you're actually being asked.

𝟭𝟱. 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 “𝗡𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘃𝗲” 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

Kapag nakita mo ang:

A. ______
B. ______
C. ______
D. None of the above

Huwag agad isipin na:

“Ay, wala sa choices! D na ‘to.” 😂

None of the above is not automatically the correct answer just because the first choices don't look perfect.

Analyze each option carefully. Ask yourself whether one of the choices actually answers the question.

And remember: Never choose an option simply because it feels like the safest escape route. 😅

💡 Board Exam reminder:
Don't rely on shortcuts or “exam myths.” Go back to the question, analyze the choices, and choose based on the evidence given.

-The Court Social Worker

26/08/2026

𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗙 𝘃𝘀. 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗙 🌱 | 𝗔 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘀

One important concept in Carl Rogers’ Person-Centered Theory is the relationship between the Real Self and the Ideal Self.

Your Ideal Self is the version of you who already knows everything, consistently gets high scores, answers every mock board question correctly, and walks into the exam room with confidence.

Your Real Self?
Minsan nakakalimot. Minsan mababa ang score sa mock board. Minsan may tanong na mapapaisip ka ng, “Saan galing ‘to?!” 😭😂

And that’s okay.

Your Ideal Self should inspire you—not intimidate you.

⚠️ The danger of having too much Ideal Self is when you become so attached to the person you think you should already be that you start feeling disappointed with the person you actually are.

“Dapat alam ko na ‘to.”
“Dapat mataas lagi score ko.”
“Dapat hindi na ako kinakabahan.”

Hindi. Reviewee ka pa lang. You are still learning.

In Rogers’ theory, a healthy relationship between the Real Self and Ideal Self involves congruence—a reasonable alignment between who you are and who you want to become.

So instead of asking:

❌ “Bakit hindi ko pa alam lahat?”

Try asking:

✅ “Ano ang natutunan ko today na hindi ko alam kahapon?”

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆.

You just have to keep moving toward that version of yourself—one lesson, one mistake, one mock board, and one day at a time. 🌱

Real Self: “Hindi ko pa alam lahat.”
Ideal Self: “Gusto kong maging mahusay na social worker.”
Healthy mindset: “Hindi ko pa kaya ngayon, pero matututunan ko.” ❤️

Keep going, future RSWs. Be patient with the person you are while working toward the professional you want to become. 🫶