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Dr. Rhalf Jayson Guanco, a graduate of Palawan State University and one of the resident clinical psychologists of Sinag Psychological Services based in Puerto Princesa City, was recognized by the American Psychological Association Board of Professional Affairs for outstanding contributions to independent practices of psychology in Southeast Asia this 2025, marking him as the first Filipino to ever receive the distinction.
The Award for Distinguished Contributions to Independent Practice is an annual recognition given by the American Psychological Association (APA) Board of Professional Affairs to one outstanding independent practitioner in psychology, with the first award given in 1972 to Carl Rogers, the founder of humanistic psychology.
Guanco received the notice of his prestigious award through email on an otherwise ordinary day in January. This is his second award from APA from a different committee, which recognizes the excellent practices of psychology in different places.
Guanco currently works as an assistant professor at the Adventist University of the Philippines at Silang, Cavite; and as one of the psychologists at Sinag Psychological Services, a local mental health service clinic based in Puerto Princesa City that he had set up with his friends since 2020.
Guanco, along with fellow mental health practitioners Enola Gay Pedernal and Harrian Moronio, had served Sinag’s first patients during the pandemic, where they held online counseling and consultations through Zoom calls in computer shops, and later, through socially-distanced face-to-face meetings in temporary set-up clinics in Puerto Princesa.
Sinag Psychological Services launched their first official physical clinic in 2023, in partnership with the Palawan Medical Society, where it made it easier for them to consult, guide, and evaluate the increasing number of appointments and patients for them.
“Siyempre in Palawan, kulang tayo sa [mental health] practitioners, so what we did was lower our prices (…) sometimes we adjust. Kung i-compare mo yung fees, mababa na yung [sa Palawan] kesa kapag sa Manila ka,” he said.
Guanco stated that it was a combination of excellent practices in the local field of psychology, as well as his personal international collaborations, that had cinched his award.
Palaweño public health
Looking back on his time as a BS Psychology student in Palawan State University, Guanco did not realize that mental health services in Palawan would bloom as such, nor that he would have such a hand in the local practice.
”Sabi ko, parang ang hirap kasi parang walang psychiatrist or psychologist [dito sa Palawan]. Meron pero pumupunta lang, pabalik-balik lang, I did not expect that it would come to a point na makaka-establish kami na sustainable lalo na sa SINAG… actually, pinag-usapan lang namin yang tatlong magkakaibigan,” Guanco reminisced.
Even when they were setting up rental places to meet with their clientele, he did not expect that more Palaweños would seek out the services, and that Sinag would eventually grow beyond the three of them.
Currently, Sinag employs more than 10 employees who deliver reasonably-priced mental health counseling, psychological evaluations, and other services to employees, families, and those in legal cases not just in Puerto Princesa, but oftentimes remotely in other municipalities as well.
In December last year, Sinag partnered with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Palawan Chapter for a one-day event in Robinsons Palawan, where they offered free counseling and legal advice to Palaweños.
“I want to instill hope sa mga nangangailangan. At an early age, sinabi ko parang mahirap. Paniniwalaan ba nila ako? I’m very young! Until now I still cannot believe it, kasi yung mga awardees in the previous years ay yung mga matatanda na, yung mga seniors na in the practice. (…) Yung goal ko is to inspire more people so I can bring them closer to God.
Lalo na sa Pilipinas, kailangan na kailangan nila ang Diyos,” he added.
Thinking on it
As for Palaweños, Guanco noted that while mental health concerns were varied among their clients such as domestic abuse cases, post-traumatic stress concerns, and mood-related problems, that more younger people were open to counseling these days.
He stated that most of these younger patients were stressed about their academics, their families, their fears of an uncertain future. The clinic also received a lot of referrals for children who were diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Guanco noted that the Palaweños’ cultural perception towards mental health, especially seeking out help, was bridged mostly by younger people who were becoming aware on social media.
He noted that this increased visibility towards mental health by the younger generations was also bringing older patients to seek out their services, as most were used to treating psychological problems through physical panacea like consumable medicine, or diets.
”Hindi na tayo naniniwala na katulad noon ng parang, ‘Kumain ka lang ng maayos para gumaling ka kaagad.’ (…) Nag-increase na ang mental health awareness natin kasi aside from the children may nakukuha na kaming patients na older, though not that much naman compared sa mga younger,” he added.
Though many were still closed towards the idea of programs geared towards mental health, Guanco said that the mental health awareness in Palawan skewed towards positive, and would hopefully progress in the same direction as the years went on.
He emphasized the importance of younger practitioners and those who were willing to help, saying that they had no limitations in achieving their dreams.
“I think with God at the center of your life and a clear understanding of your purpose as a professional, as a practitioner, you can accomplish extraordinary things. (…) If they know their purpose, they will be properly guided. I hope that in the future, they will be one with us to help us advocate for mental health not just in Palawan but in the whole country. It’s not only a problem in Palawan. It’s a problem of the nation. It’s a problem of the world.”
Guanco will formally receive the awards through a virtual ceremony later this year, and he will be featured in the American Psychologist, APA’s. flagship journal.
He wholeheartedly dedicated his award to God, his wife Wendy, his daughter Lily, and the clients he has served and will continue to serve.