The Philippine Positive Psychology Association (PPPA) is a network of academics, clinicians, educators, students, business owners, coaches, consultants, medical experts, practitioners, or anyone interested in the science and practice of positive psychology for personal and professional development.

The Philippine Positive Psychology Association was founded in [year of establishment] by a group of passionate psychologists, researchers, and educators who recognized the transformative potential of positive psychology in the lives of Filipinos. They envisioned a society where well-being and resilience were not just aspirations but tangible realities for individuals and communities alike.

Driven by the belief that a focus on strengths, positive emotions, and flourishing could lead to a more empowered and flourishing Philippines, these visionaries embarked on a mission to promote the principles of positive psychology across the country. Through their dedication and collaborative efforts, the Philippine Positive Psychology Association was born, becoming a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless individuals seeking a path to a more fulfilling and happier life.

MA. ROSARIO V. PUNZALAN

Rose is a certified workplace resilience trainer, and positive psychology practitioner/coach and is the Representative Director for The School of Positive Psychology, (TSPP) Singapore. She is also the principal consultant for All for Wellbeing and Empowerment (AWE) a training and consultancy firm founded to create and design happiness and wellbeing programs for individuals and institutions.

Rose has an undergraduate degree in Behavioral Science from the University of Santo Tomas. She also completed the Graduate Diploma in Applied Positive Psychology and Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy and Counseling from The School of Positive Psychology in Singapore.

Her passion to help spread and share the applications of the science of positive psychology for the Filipino nation spearheaded the first positive psychology conference in the Philippines in 2018 and subsequently the conception of the Philippine Positive Psychology Association.

Rose’s top five strengths are Leadership, Fairness & Equality, Social Intelligence, Love, and Wisdom.

RONALDO A. MOTILLA

Ronnie is an associate professor, registered psychologist, facilitator, and lifelong learner. He completed his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Ateneo de Manila University. He facilitates seminar workshops, both locally and internationally, on the topics that he is so passionate about health and well-being. In 2019, he published a book entitled, Purposely Positive: Seven Guidelines on How to rebuild your life after hitting rock bottom.

He completed his Specialist Diploma in Positive Psychology and Wellbeing at The School of Positive Psychology in Singapore. He also chairs the Special Interest Group in Positive Psychology of the Psychological Association of the Philippines. Ronnie hopes to bring his top strengths of “Gratitude”, “Judgment”, and “Social Intelligence” to his role in helping the PPPA flourish.

MARIA LOURDES L. CHAVEZ

Malou has been a practicing counselor for the past three decades. She is an encaustic artist who combines creative arts in her counseling and psychotherapy practice. She earned her MA in Family Psychology and Education and Ph.D. in Counseling from Maryknoll/Miriam College. She completed her Specialist Diploma in Positive Psychology and Wellbeing from The School of Positive Psychology Singapore.

She is a life member of the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association, Inc. (PGCA) and the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA). She was Past Vice President of PGCA, Past Co-Chair of the Developmental Psychology Division of PAP (Psychological Association of the Philippines), and was given a plaque of recognition by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for being nominated to the Outstanding Professional of the Year Award in 2015.

Through her strengths of kindness, creativity, perspective, love of learning, and perseverance, Malou hopes to introduce positive psychology interventions for young people to facilitate growth and help them thrive and flourish.

LOURDES S. PANGANIBAN

Lourdes is the former Local Chief Executive (LCE) of the Municipality of Angadanan in the province of Isabela, Region 2. She finished her three terms as LCE last 2019.

Prior to her government service, Lourdes Segarra-Panganiban was a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, and Certified Financial Consultant. She practiced her Accounting, Audit, and Finance profession at Nestle Philippines, Inc. (Philippines and Indonesia) and in PT Asianindo Unitrada (Pepsi Indonesia) as an Expatriate. She is also a graduate of the Asian Institute of Management’s (AIM) Executive Masters in Business Administration (EMBA) program.

Lourdes has also completed the Basic and Advanced Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) courses for psycho-trauma management and Professional Diploma in Family Ministry, a pastoral counseling course, at the Center for Family Ministry, Loyola School of Theology. She also attended the Positive Psychology Intervention workshop from The School of Positive Psychology in Singapore and is part of the organizing committee for the first positive psychology conference in the Philippines.

Currently, she is one of the Board of Directors of both the Porta Coeli Center for Pastoral Counseling and Psycho-trauma Management and EMDR Philippines, the national organization for trauma experts. She is also a member of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, N.Y.

Lourdes’ strengths are Honesty, Kindness, Humor, Fairness, and Forgiveness.

MA. ANTONIA NATIVIDAD P. TENORIO

Naty earned her degree in Management at the Ateneo Manila University in 1983. She pursued a career in banking working her way up from a credit analyst to a Senior Manager at BPI Family Bank. Realizing her passion for training and development, Naty moved on from her 18 years of corporate life in setting up the I-Hike Training and Development Center in 2001. This center partnered with Kumon Philippines, whose mission is to develop the potential of children to the maximum, thus contributing to society.

She is also the founder of Arigato sa Mga Bata Foundation which aims to provide children opportunities for skills development and improved positive wellbeing.

Naty also attended the Positive Psychology Intervention workshop from The School of Positive Psychology Singapore and is part of the organizing committee for the first positive psychology conference held in Manila in 2018. Currently, Naty is a business coach for the Global Force Community.

Naty’s strengths are Love, Gratitude, Fairness, Hope, and Curiosity.