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On November 11, 1962, a small group of
psychologists gathered at Selecta Restaurant along C.M. Recto Avenue
for what would later be considered one of the most defining moments in
Philippine Psychology. They came from different institutions,
drawn to that single place by a common purpose. From the University of
the Philippines (UP) came the Chairperson of the country’s first
Department of Psychology, Dr. Agustin Alonzo. Fr. Jaime Bulatao, S.J.
founder of the Department of Psychology of the Ateneo de Manila
University, was also present. With them were Dr. Sinforoso Padilla,
who established the Psychological Clinic at UP, and Dr. Jesus Perpiñan,
who founder the Psychological Clinic at Far Eastern University and Dr.
Mariano Obias. That historic meeting presided over by Dr. Alfredo
Lagmay of UP saw the birth of the Psychological Association of the
Philippines (PAP).
On January 1, 1963, the PAP ushered in the new
year by electing its first set of officers. Dr. Sinforoso Padilla
became the Association’s first President, Dr. Alfredo Lagmay the first
President-elect, Fr. Jaime Bulatao, S.J. the first Executive
Secretary, and Dr. Estefania Aldaba-Lim the first Treasurer. Atty.
Narciso Albarracin, who helped the group with their incorporation
papers, was sworn in as the Legal Counsel of the Association.
The first plenary meeting was held on March 30,
1963 at the Ateneo de Manila University in Padre Faura. After that,
the group held monthly meetings and picnics where scientific
researches were presented. In January, 1964, the first annual national
convention was held at the NSDB Science Pavilion on the corner of Taft
Avenue and Herran (now Pedro Gil), Manila. The high point of the
convention was a symposium on the Filipino Personality that was later
published as a book and remains one of the classics in Philippine
psychology.
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