(Left to right – Rolando Libunao, Jinky Oñate, Tyson Alberto, Jonalyn Alfonso, Cecil Pableo, Mary Nield Martinez, Nery-Jean Tindoc, Mery Grace Marcelino, Jolyn Donato, Glenda Buensalida, Jennifer Lee Portas, Ergielyn Dadis, Angela Dee, Noraleene Berja, Ma. Cristina Lualhati and Bernard Quinitio; seated from left to right – Mary Ann Ramos, Catherine Horaguchi, Hajime Yokota, Polly Carampel, Mary Ann Dalag, and Rogelio Apostol Jr.)
“I have been doing massage therapy for about a year which I just learned from my grandmother without a formal training. I did not really realize before that in doing massage, I can heal people’s headache, back, leg and neck pain. Now, I fully understand that massage in all its types is therapeutic to humankind. By doing this, it also helps me improve our financial situation by giving me an easy access for employment opportunities. Since massage therapy is my passion, I still want to improve my skills not only from the training provided by ACTION but as I continue to practice my chosen craft. I will forever be thankful to ACTION, Inc. for giving us this life changing opportunity.”, –Nery Jean Tindoc, 25 years old, Best Performing Massage Trainee
On May 16, 2017 Iyashi no Chikara (Power of Therapy) celebrated its 3rd Graduation Exercises at Chikara Project Studio in Quezon City. Sixteen (16) graduates (3 male and 13 female) have successfully completed the required 27 sessions of Massage Therapy Training on Swedish, Shiatsu and Hilot.
Mr. Hajime Yokota, founder of ACTION gave a warm welcome to all the graduates and guest. He inspired the crowd by sharing his experiences on how he started ACTION Inc. in 1994 and how it became a strong organization through the help of funding agencies like Sakura Project by REJOB (a human resource firm facilitating employment of Health and Wellness professionals to various salons and spa in Japan) who funds Iyashi no Chikara Project and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the funding agency for the project “Ensuring Children’s Potential for Development and Independence through Improved Residential Care Practices”.
An officer from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Quezon City Ms. Catherine Horaguchi was invited to deliver a message of inspiration. She encouraged the graduates to take NC II or National Certificate II. She also discussed the requirements in acquiring NC II. With this information, most of the graduates were excited to take the NC II examination.
Other congratulatory messages were given by Ms. Mary Ann Dalag and Mary Ann Ramos of Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) under the Sustainable Livelihood Program and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and Kgd. Apolinario Carampel of Brgy. Veterans Village, Quezon City. The beneficiaries were from Barangay Veterans Village, San Antonio, Vasra, Alicia and Katipunan, but majority of them were from Brgy. Veterans Village as referred by its Barangay Council.
Another graduate who shared his testimony regarding the training was Mr. Bernard Quinitio, 53 years old, an experienced barber. He shared that learning has no age limit, one just have to continue to explore and discover one’s abilities. He is very thankful that ACTION Inc. gave him an opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in the field of massage therapy. He is still employed as a barber in the nearby parlor when he enrolled in the massage training class. Now, he is equipped to offer haircut and massage service at the same time.
Furthermore, awarding of Certificate of Completion and a set of massage starter kit were awarded by Mr. Yokota, Mr. Apostol and Ms. Horaguchi. The Special Awards was also given to the dedicated trainees; Ms. Ergielyn Dadis as Most Punctual, Bernard Quinitio, Noraleene Berja, Jolyn Donato, and Jennifer Lee Portas were recognized for having a Perfect Attendance. Meanwhile, Bernard Quinitio, Jennifer Lee Portas and Nery Jean Tindoc were recognized for having an Outstanding Performance based on the score given during final practicum and written evaluation. To recognize the continuous support of the partners, a Certificate of Appreciation was also given to them.
Presently, Iyashi no Chikara in Quezon City is now on its 4th Batch of Basic Massage Therapy Training on Swedish, Shiatsu and Hilot commenced on June 1, 2017 with 22 participants (4 male and 18 female) and is being conducted at San Nicholas Formation Center, Brgy. Bahay Toro, Quezon City. This the first time to conduct the massage training outside Chikara Studio with an especial arrangement with the Social Services and Development Ministry-SSDM being one of ACTION’s partner organizations in Quezon City.
Meanwhile, interested applicants for the 5th Batch of Iyashi no Chikara Massage Training may now apply at ACTION Office, Unit A101 ACPI Bldg., 1019 EDSA Avenue, Project 7, Veterans Village, Quezon City and look for Ms. Janel or you may contact 02-376-9498 / 0946-136-5512 for more details.
By:
Janel Bañadera
Project Officer
