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Brief History

Sometime in 1964 Fr. Jaime Bulatao, S.J. and Fr. Antonio Ledesma, S.J., both of Ateneo, broached the idea of a professional organization of guidance workers to Dr. Esperanza R. Limcaco of U.P. A number of professionals gathered in response to their call, mostly guidance counselors, counselor educators, and guidance supervisors.

Evidence of strong interest and commitment of the conferees was in the high percentage of attendance at the series of meetings that ran beyond a 12-month period. Twenty-five stayed on to hammer out the constitution and by-laws, the Founding Members, namely: Dr. Paz Adriano (U.E.), Fr. Kenneth Bogart (Ateneo de Manila University), Mrs. Rizalina T. Buenaseda (PNC), Fr. Jaime S. Bulatao, S.J. (Ateneo de Manila University), Mrs. Fe C. Garcia (BPS), Mr. Tomas Garcia (BPS), Mrs. Lourdes P. Gutang (FEU), Fr. Antonio Ledesma, S.J. (Ateneo University), Sr. M. Ligouri, O.S.B. (St. Scholastica’s College), Dr. Estefinia Aldaba Lim (PWU), Dr. Esperanza R. Limcaco (UP), Bro. Justin Lucian, F.S.C. (De La Salle College) Mrs. Concepcion D. Mella (Manila City Schools), Dr. Natividad J. Munarriz, (UP), Mrs. Felicidad O. Nuval (PNC), Dr. Alfonso G. Pacquing (UP), Dr. Alicia J. Ramos (CEU), Dr. Paz M. Ros (PWU), Dr. Lily R. Rosales (UP), Mrs. Josefina R. Serion (BPS), Dr. Carmen D. Tanedo (Ateneo University), Mrs. Patrocinio A. Toribio (Manila City Schools), Fr. Pierre Tritz, S.J. (Araneta University), Dr. Emperatriz N. Rabago (UST), and Dr. Eufemia F. Ty (BPS).

To introduce the organization to the public and prospective members, the Founding Members elected the first Board of Directors: Esperanza R. Limcaco, President; Jaime Bulatao, S.J., Vice President; Alicia J. Ramos, Secretary; Paz Adriano, Treasurer and Members: Tomas Garcia, Lourdes P. Gutang, Justin Lucian, FSC, Paz M. Ros, Pierre Tritz, S.J. This Board organized the first convention which was held at the University of the Philippines on 21 June 1965.


Conventions

As prescribed by the PGPA Constitution, a convention is held annually. To date, the venue is Metro Manila though periodically there is talk of holding it in the Visayas and Mindanao. Difficulties of coordination have stood in the way of implementation of such plan.


Workshops

The idea of a mid-year workshop aimed at the development of skills and materials was well received. The first one, run by Fr. J. Bulatao, then Vice President, concentrated on the development of the PGPA Code of Ethics. Participants were encouraged to take their copies to their worksites and test the provisions in situ. At the convention the following year, the Code of Ethics was presented to the members for discussion and then ratification. Most conventions have workshop components, but by popular demand, for sometime now, midyear workshops have been held in the regions.


Publications

As prescribed by the PGPA Constitution, the PGPA publishes the Guidance Journal at least once a year. The New Digest is a quarterly of the newsletter type that informs the membership of activities of individual members and chapters.


Chapters

Before the PGPA came into being, there were already associations of guidance counselors, but membership was often limited to the province or division. It was in the mid-70’s with their member enjoying the privileges of PGPAers. Since then the number of chapters has grown, with several chapters being active in coordinating mid year workshops with the National Board.


Guidance Month

Through the efforts of Dr. Lily Rosales, in 1983, President Ferdinand Marcos declared May to be the Guidance Month. Since then, the conventions have been scheduled in May.


Awards

Early on, a President Emeritus award was instituted by the Board led by Dr. Beulah Nuval, President ’89 – ’89. The first awardees were Dr. Esperanza R. Limcaco and Dr. Lily Rosqueta-Rosales. A Member Emeritus award was also instituted at the same time, with Dr. Natividad J. Munarriz as awardee.


Affiliation with PGPA

On one of her trips to the USA, Dr. Lily Rosqueta-Rosales worked for the affiliation of the PGPA with the APGA, the American Personnel and Guidance Association. This was formalized in 1981 and several PGPAers became affiliate members of the APGA.


Change of Name: PGPA to PGCA

In 1997, Dr. Josefina C. Donato, proposed the change of name from Philippine Guidance and Personnel Association to Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association for a stronger professional identity. This was approved by the Board headed by the late Dr. Harry C. Lorenzo Jr. who was then the Association’s President.

In November 26, 1998 the Association finally received an approval from the S.E.C. about the change of the organization’s name. The Board of 1998-1999 was especially thankful for the assistance of the late Atty. Jun Valerio for the approval of this change.

Dr. Thelma G. Abiva (1997-1998) became the first president of the Association under the new name - PGCA.


PGPA Now PGCA

The PGPA is now legally & officially PGCA. In November 16,1998 we finally received approval of the SEC of the change of our organization’s name. The 1998-1999 board was especially thankful and appreciated very much the assistance of the late Atty. Jun Valerio for the approval of this change.


International Recognition and Partnerships

In April 1981, the PGCA became a member of the Western Region of the American Counseling Association (ACA) - the only counseling organization in Asia that is given the privilege by the USA national counseling association. In 2018, the PGCA further forged partnerships with the Australian Counseling Association (ACA) and with the Association of Psychotherapists and Counsellors Singapore (APACS).


AIPO Accreditation

When the Law professionalizing the practice of Guidance and Counseling (RA 9258) was passed in 2004, the Association became the Interim Association of Professional Counselors (IAPO). On July 5, 2012, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) duly accredited the PGCA bonafide Professional Organization for Guidance Counselors. In August 5, 2015, it was duly accredited as bonafide Integrated Professional Organization for Guidance Counselors and, renewed in 2018 as the Accredited Integrated Professional Organization for Guidance Counselors (AIPO).