16/09/2025
๐ก๐๐ช๐ฆ || ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐น๐๐บ๐ป๐ฎ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐บ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐ข๐ฐ๐ฐ๐๐ฝ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ ๐ง๐ผ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐
Last September 11, 2025, the Grade 12 STEM General Biology classes held a forum with a special guest, Ms. Dechantal Catherine V. Montaรฑo, OTR/L, OTRP, a proud alumna who has earned global recognition in the field of occupational therapy.
With nearly two decades of professional experience both in the Philippines and United States of America, Ms. Montaรฑo has established herself as a pioneer in her discipline. She currently serves as the Clinical Rehabilitation Supervisor at RCM Health Care Services and RCM Treatment Center (PT, OT, and SLP) in New York City. Previously, she held the role of Associate Program Director at the International Academy of Hope (iHOPE), the pioneering research-based private school dedicated to students with traumatic brain injury and brain-based disorders.
During her talk, Ms. Montaรฑo gave the STEM-B students a glimpse into the daily realities of her work. Much like teachers, her schedule revolves around students, but instead of lecturing, she spends her day observing, assessing, and providing one-on-one interventions. On average, she works with twelve children each day, pulling them out of class for focused sessions. Her main mission, she emphasized, is to ensure that each child feels supported, understood, and capable of overcoming challenges that may hinder their growth or well-being.
Beyond professional insights, Ms. Montaรฑo made her visit deeply personal and heartfelt. When one STEM-B student expressed concern for her younger brother, she offered words of encouragement and guidance, showing the same compassion she extends to her patients.
Her presence left a lasting impression on the Theresians, highlighting that therapy is not confined to clinics or hospitals but is woven into everyday life in subtle yet powerful ways. By sharing her journey, Ms. Montaรฑo not only shed light on the critical role of occupational therapy but also inspired students to see how empathy, science, and service can come together to make a profound impact on othersโ lives.
Article by Cheska Rivera
Layout by Therese Olmedo