The University of Baguio continues to champion mental health awareness through the second installment of Kwanfest, a Kidlat De Guia Memorial event.
Written and prepared by the Center for Counseling and Student Development
Music, movement, and meaningful conversations filled #Kwanfest 2026: Motion as Medicine last March 6, 2026 at the Centennial Hall and Anacleto Street. The event was a collaboration between the University of Baguio, Rock Ed Philippines, and Project Steady Asia which aimed to remind the students that taking care of mental health can be as simple as expressing oneself through music, dance, and conversations.
As the second instalment of the Kidlat De Guia Memorial, the event featured varied engaging activities: students took the spotlight during the open mic session, showcasing their singing talents; whereas the flash mob, led by the UB Graces, energized the campus as they performed along Anacleto Street during lunch break. Meanwhile, the CCSD booth introduced students to the counseling and support services available on campus.
To culminate the event, a podcast was streamed live via Facebook where the panel of speakers shared their ideas and insights about “motion as medicine”. The conversations between Ms. Gang Capati, Neuroscience Research Fellow, Mental Health Clinician, Geriatric Marathoner; Ms. Abbie Lara, film editor / ukay maven; Ms. Tanya Hamada, democracy advocate / nation worrier; Mr. Gabe Mercado, educator & entertainer / whimsical dance artist; and Ms. Lissa Romero-De Guia, writer & theater artist / Ms. Saigon touched on the physical movement and community interaction; reminding the virtual audience that caring for the mind often involved caring for the physical body.
Through the multi-faceted activities of Kwanfest 2026, the University of Baguio gave visible support to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, particularly Target 3.8, which calls for access to health services and well-being support. At the same time, the collaboration between university offices and partners demonstrated SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, showing how teamwork can strengthen programs that benefit students. More so, the event highlighted the university’s continuing commitment to supporting student well-being and building a school environment that cares for both the mind and body.
