PLM-OGTS: A Lighthouse for Every PLMayer’s Journey

For a college student navigating the ever-tumultuous seas of college life, the journey can feel like a ceaseless storm. Wave after wave, assignments and deadlines pour in—knocking you down just as soon as you recover from it. The pressure and expectations come crashing down, picking you apart, piece by piece. It’s no wonder that sometimes, despite our best efforts, we feel as if we are being pulled into the darkness, not knowing how to resurface.

But just as a sailor looks to the horizon for signs of land, so too can we find our guiding light—a steadying force that reminds us that we do not need to navigate these stormy waters alone. And within Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, students and employees can seek help through its very own Office on Guidance and Testing Services (OGTS). With their compassionate and welcoming support, an appointment can be a step towards navigating the turbulence with greater resilience.

A Beacon of Light

Amidst the bustling corridors of the campus, there exists a beacon that does not merely shine from afar. Located at the Gusaling Villegas (GV) building of the campus, the PLM-OGTS is open Mondays to Fridays from 8 AM to 5 PM. Radiating its reassuring light, it offers free counseling for all students, faculty, and staff where anyone is welcome to book an appointment by emailing the office’s Outlook account, ogts_services@plm.edu.ph, or by directly visiting to schedule a session based on their availability. Whether online or onsite, this lighthouse is ready to guide you every step of the way.

“‘We care, we help, we serve,’ is the motto of the office. The intention is always there to help.” Ms. Margielou Peralta, Director of the PLM-OGTS for over 10 years, emphasized that guidance services are always free and accessible through the office. "Alalay" was the word she used to define the role of the office, being a readily-opened hand for anyone seeking a safe harbor to quell their doubts.

“Minsan kasi ay ‘di lang nila alam kanino lalapit.” Ms. Peralta likened the office’s role to untangling a ball of yarn; although it does not mean all problems would disappear immediately, the office could still help in processing and dealing with the situation you are facing. The journey ahead may seem bleak and even terrifying at times where a single misstep feels as if you would fall into the trenches of failure and despair. Yet every step you take is still a step forward, and even the slightest glimmer of light can guide you through your darkest nights.

A Trusty Compass

With trust being the cornerstone of any client-counselor relationship, the PLM-OGTS offers more than just listening ears; it offers a sanctuary of compassion, privacy, and understanding. Confidentiality is upheld within the office, unless a student is at risk of harming themselves or others. Even then, Ms. Peralta affirmed that only essential details are shared, and anything else must have the consent of the person.

Through calm seas or turbulent storms, the PLM-OGTS stands firm as a steady guide that can help you navigate through your problems, no matter how big or small. One student shared how the office had been “warm and inviting” during her first session, back when she was struggling with a relationship problem. Initially feeling that her concern was too small to matter, she realized that her feelings were valid through the office’s help.

Stress often draws students into the office’s doors; whether from the pressure of rigorous examinations or major life decisions like shifting programs or taking a leave of absence. Within its walls, guidance is not only about mental health, it is holistic. “So when we talk about mental health, that is just part of it… It can be about personal, social, academic, and even about careers. Connected kasi ang mga ‘yan,” Ms. Peralta clarified.

After all, no storm is too fierce and no ripple is too small–if it holds you back, it deserves to be brought to light. The PLM-OGTS is not only a support system, but also a compass that is steady and true in helping students find direction through every twist and turn of their journey.

Anchored by Stigma

Other than counseling, the PLM-OGTS also seeks to promote proactive interventions and psychosocial wellness through related guidance activities and seminars, introducing techniques such as stress management and emotional regulation strategies. And in one of these seminars, Ms. Peralta recalled that only a very few raised their hands for having gone to the office where many would remark, “Mabait po kasi kami kaya hindi po kami pinapapunta.”

There is a preconceived notion that guidance equates to discipline, carrying the traditional weight of how only the troubled seek help. Being “called to the guidance office” has always been associated with being punished for misconduct or wrongdoing; however, such stigma can anchor a person to the depths of their hardships instead of letting them move forward.

As it stands, life has a way of sweeping you up in its chaotic rhythm that it sometimes takes a community to make it lighter, to help you carry it better. Storms may be overwhelming, but the horizon is more often painted blue than left in shades of grey. It just takes the right guidance to lead you back into the right headspace.

Hope on the Horizon

Being a steady guiding light, the PLM-OGTS extends a lifeline that reaches out to anyone in the university, be it a student, a faculty member, or a staffer. Healing may not be magical nor an overnight miracle; but it is a journey that is as worthwhile as the other dreams you carry.

In the relentless ebb and flow of life, it often makes one forget their surroundings: the treasured discoveries in the seas’ depths, the people standing with them amidst every wave, and the lighthouse that can help them find their way. It welcomes you to follow its light ashore, letting you know that you don't have to face being lost alone. Reaching out for support, no matter how daunting it may be, is a vital act of self-care that could lead to positive change which may not completely solve your problems, but it might shift your perspective on how to deal with them.

In the end, guidance is like a lighthouse standing firm across the crashing waves, readily shining its light on anyone who needs it. Sometimes the first step can be the steepest climb, but every step forward carries its own quiet bravery. Little by little, you can move towards clearer skies with a tranquil heart and a peaceful mind. When there is light that shines upon you, remember: you do not have to stay resilient in the dark. Trust its knowing beam and let its light guide you.