Educo-Psych Diagnostics Opens

CEBU, Philippines - “Defying trends” is how Pastor Jo Alfafara described the opening of Educo-Psych Diagnostics and Counselling Clinic last May 8 at the Robinson’s Cybergate Mall and another branch along Gen. Junquera Extension. In his short sermon at the beginning of the event, he said that at this time when other offices are shutting down, June and Russell Makiling had dared to start this new venture.

A new venture, indeed! Dr. Russell Velasquez-Makiling’s Educo-Psych Clinic is the first mall-based counseling clinic in the Philippines. Their services include psychological testing, counseling, psychotherapy, educational consultancy and human resource development training. Their 92 square-meter clinic in Cybergate is purely for consultation purposes while their office at Gen. Junquera Ext. houses their laboratories and training center. 

“I saw the need of a mental wellness facility in the community,” said Dr. Makiling, who is a certified human resource trainer and consultant, and former director of Cebu Normal University’s Center for Testing, Evaluation, and Development. “We were inspired by our service to the Lord. We want to help those who are confused, struggling, those who have life-controlling problems…and anyone who wants to improve their lives.”

Dr. Makiling is also a living values trainer for the UNESCO and UNICEF, and was also awarded one of the 2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century, 2009-2010 by the International Biographical Center Cambridge.

Along with Dr. Makiling in this project are Dr. Ester Velasquez, Vice-President for Educational Consultancy, and Lelani Echavez-Paredes, Vice-President for Training and Communication.

Ester Velasquez shared that one of their goals is “To offer mentoring, advising, and a listening ear to the family of OFWs.” She also added that the launching was “Unbelievable” and that “God really worked wonders,” for they had not been expecting to be able to launch on that day.

Alfred and Julie Go, the sponsors, did the honor of the symbolic ribbon cutting. Among the other attendees were Mr. Robert Lee (Consul of Canada) the crowned Queen of Mandaue 2010, and of course, colleagues, friends and family of Dr. Russell Makiling.