MRS. CELESTE S. SANCHEZ
CONDUCTS WORKSHOP TO JAPANESE MUSIC THERAPISTS
Music Therapists from the Tokyo
International College of Music Therapy came to Cebu, Philippines to participate
in a two-day Music Therapy activity in the Philippines. It was held last March
11 – 12, 2013 at the SME Capital Campus. The activity was part of the
school’s study trip outside Japan in
their desire to study music therapy in the Philippines. The delegation was
headed by the principal of the school, Harobumi Kanno and was joined by Erica
Watanabe, Nanako Yumita, Nahoko Yoshimura, Noriko Katagiri, Izumi Katsuragi.
Music Therapists from Japan got to work as soon as they were introduced to Mrs. Sanchez |
In Cebu, they were met by the mother of
Music Therapy in the Philippines, Celeste S. Sanchez and her daughter, Maria
Socorro S. Nuyda, EdD. The workshop started with an
overview of Music Therapy in the Philippines and was followed by a
demonstration of typical music therapy activities conducted in Japan. The
objective of the activity was to prepare the students for their performance to
persons with disabilities (PWDs) in selected schools in Cebu for the following
day.
The Music Therapists in action |
The Music Therapists showcased their Japanese
culture through songs, dances and visuals. They beamed with pride when they
rendered traditional Japanese music, one of which is the celebrated “Sakura”.
Mrs. Sanchez, giving feedback on their performance. |
The demonstration was followed by the
“critique” given by Mrs. Sanchez, which focused on establishing contact with
PWDs.
Actual performance of the Music Therapists in a children’s home in Cebu. |
On the second day, the delegation performed
and conducted music therapy sessions; much to the delight of the children in a
selected orphanage in Cebu City.
Distributing instruments to students at Cebu Normal University |
The day culminated with another performance of
music therapy activities to the visually-impaired students of Cebu Normal
College. In return, the students delighted the Japanese delegation with a song
and dance number. The afternoon ended with a debriefing of the Japanese music
therapists with Mrs Sanchez.
Music Therapy team at work |
Generally, the two-day sessions were very
productive and enriching experience for both parties. The collaboration was
made possible by Mr Tomohide Suzuki, Director of Achieve Goal Co., Ltd.