On the 12th of May 2017, ACTION organized the Iyashi no Chikara (Power of Therapy) 5th Commencement Exercises at the ACTION’s Chikara Project Studio in Olongapo City with 17 (5male, 12 female) graduates.
This event was attended by Mr. Hajime Yokota, Founder and Executive Director of ACTION, Inc., Ms. Miho Ueda-Project Coordinator of Rejob, Mr. Jeffery Kinkito, Technical Education and Skills Development (TESD) Specialist II, from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Zambales Provincial Office, representatives of the East Tapinac Barangay Council: Ms. Jean F. Alagon, Brgy. Secretary and Councilor Michael Alop, in-charge for Livelihood Projects; representatives of from City Spa, Karayama Spa, Venture Spa, Skin-Worx Beauty and Wellness Spa, and representatives of Tapinac Elementary School and a staff of Olongapo City Center for Youth.
The program was facilitated by Ms. Mary Joy Marbida, Chikara Project Coordinator, with the assistance of Ms. Mara Ginarie Esperas, Chikara Project officer. The program started with an invocation led by one of the graduates. It was followed by a message from Mr. Hajime Yokota, who gave a warm welcome to all the graduates, partners and guests. Mr. Yokota shared that the massage training is the first step for the graduates to achieve their goals and dreams. He added that they should never stop improving their selves. Learning should have no limit, so they should take every chance to learn.
Afterwards Barangay East Tapinac Councilor Michael Alop gave a short message in behalf of Brgy. Chairman Remegio Buenafe, he said that this project is really good to help the people in the community and they look forward for more participants coming from their Barangay.
It was followed by Mr. Jeffrey Kinkito who gave an inspirational Message in behalf of Dr. Virginia Bondoc, the Provincial Director of TESDA Zambales. His message was centered on a Story of the Man, Son and Donkey which imparts that one should not to live a life based on the other people’s opinion. He asks the graduating trainees to trust themselves, to pursue their dream and not to think of what others might say to them.
The Trainees were then given the opportunity to demonstrate different massage techniques they have learned during the 3 month training. The Trainees readily gave Swedish, Shiatsu and Chair Massage to the guests.
After an hour, three (3) of the massage graduates gave a short message, one graduate from the Brgy. East Tapinac said that she was thankful to have been given the opportunity to learn. According to her, she may not use this for work, as of the moment, but she will definitely provide massage to her family. The other one from a partner residential care facility said that he is thankful and happy for this kind of opportunity to learn massage techniques. He may not use it for work because of his age but for sure he will use it for his family’s benefit. Lastly, one of the graduates who earned a high grade, said that she was happy and thankful for the opportunity given to her. This training is of great help for her to earn income for her family. She is also willing to share the skills to others.
Ms. Miho Ueda Project coordinator of Rejob, said that she is very happy with the graduates and she looks forward for the graduates to become successful massage therapist.
Afterwards, the Certificate of Completion and starter kit was presented and given by Mr. Yokota together with Ms. Ueda, Mr. Kinkito and Mr. Espiritu to the seventeen (17) graduates. And it was followed by a message from a representative of City Spa. She congratulates the graduates, and announced that there is a hiring for massage therapists this June. All the graduates are invited to apply on the said job hiring.
For the closing remarks Mr. Rodolfo Espiritu, massage instructor congratulated the graduates and challenged them to improve more and become a good massage therapist in the days ahead.
By:
Mara Ginarie A. Esperas
Project Officer
