05 November 2026
Filipino singer and performer Gary Valenciano brought his advocacy project, “Face to Face,” to Benguet State University (BSU), providing students with an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about life, faith, mental health, and personal struggles.
Launched in 2018, “Face to Face” is a personal advocacy initiative that aims to mentor and inspire young people through intimate, heart-to-heart interactions with college students. Through campus visits, Valenciano shares his personal experiences, discusses relevant social and emotional concerns, and listens to the challenges faced by the youth.
The initiative seeks to offer guidance and emotional support to students, with Valenciano taking on the role of a father figure or brother to those who need encouragement and understanding.
During the event, VP for Business Affairs Josel Florentin described Valenciano’s visit as a historic occasion for the university, emphasizing that BSU was chosen among the many universities in Baguio City and Benguet.
“Many are called, but few are chosen,” Florentin remarked, highlighting the significance of the visit, particularly for a university with more than 15,000 students.
He further expressed his gratitude to Valenciano for choosing BSU as one of the destinations of his advocacy, emphasizing the importance of having someone like “Mr. Pure Energy” artist to inspire and guide the university’s student community.
Meanwhile, College of Medicine Dean Dr. Ruel Revilla emphasized the importance of recognizing mental health struggles and encouraging students to seek help when facing personal difficulties.
Revilla acknowledged the pressures experienced by students, including academic expectations, uncertainty about the future, and social media comparisons, which often lead them to conceal their struggles behind smiles and pretenses.
He reminded students that experiencing difficult moments is part of life and that admitting one’s struggles should never be considered a weakness.
“It is okay not to be okay,” Revilla emphasized, encouraging students to reach out to trusted individuals and engage in open conversations to help break the stigma surrounding mental health.
He also highlighted the importance of faith and family as sources of strength during challenging times, reminding students that every life holds immense value and that hope remains as long as there is life.
In closing, Revilla encouraged students to continue standing firm despite life’s difficulties, emphasizing that true energy is not only demonstrated during moments of success and happiness but also in the quiet strength and determination to keep moving forward.
Through “Face to Face,” BSU students were reminded that they do not have to face their struggles alone and that seeking guidance, support, and understanding is an important step toward personal growth and well-being.//NSudaypan
