A Wellness Fair was held last April 28, 29, 2019 in BalayKahimsog in Cambanac, Baclayon, Bohol. The activity dubbed as Fiesta KKK – Kahimsog, Katibuk-an, Kalikupan launched BalayKahimsog as a wellness center.
Different forms of wellness and alternative methods of healing such as yoga, meditation, acupressure, hilot, herbal medicine, ventusa, music, arts, theater, reflexology, massage, vegetarian food, and other services, were demonstrated by resource persons.
The two-day activity was held in collaboration with the Bohol Meditation and Yoga Center (BMYC), andSustainability and Participation through Education and Lifelong Learning (SPELL).
Aside from the BMYC and SPELL, participants included the Baclayon Zumba Ladies, Tai Chi Bohol, Focolare, Farmers’ Development Center- Bohol, Girl Scouts of the Philippines – Loay, Bohol Local Development Foundation, and Women’s Resource Center in Bohol. Many other individualsincluding local residents of Cambanac and Baclayon, who came to know of the event were also around. There were about 100 participants in all.
Hon. Mayor Benecio R. Uy of Baclayon graced the opening ceremonies on April 28. This was followed by the presentation of the event’s rationale and program by Dr. Erlinda Posadas. The morning activities were input about wellness. Marsha Bayron-Lloyd of BMYC gave a short talk on “ Mindfulness and Meditation for Improved Mental Health” to set the mind for the event.ClydMasmela of the Inner Space then presented about Raja Yoga Meditation, followed by a talk on art by JacquelouCurambao-Aballe of the Baji Arts Collective. Later in the morning, there were simultaneous parallel sessions on yoga, Raja yoga meditation, art, chi-kung, and Zumba facilitated by the respective resource persons in different areas of the center.
Lunch was then served, consisting of vegetarian food, and sold at P 50 per meal for the participants.
There was also a registration fee of P30 for each participant which served as their contribution for benefits that they would derive from the affair.
Following lunch was a session on music, dance and theater by the KasingSining, a culture caregiving group in Tagbilaran City. It was actively well participated and much fun, a showcase of wellness indeed.
There were ongoing services of acupressure, reflexology and ventusa in the lower dormitory of the center. VPHCS community health workers and staff did the services.
Later, before the close of the day, Jam Ungab of Plastic Free Bohol gave a talk on what her group has done in campaigning to stop the use of plastic and to stop plastic pollution. She also demonstrated alternatives of plastic straw and other common household utensils.
The second day, April 29, 2018 also had the same events as the first day; an additional event was a talk by Peachy Gonzalez Fernando, a clinical psychologist and play therapist on “Art as therapy.” She also facilitated a workshop on drawing that drew out the creativity of the participants through drawing
There were also tables put up by the BMYC where vegetarian food was cooked and sold, the SPELL which also had native delicacies, and the Women’s Resource Center of Cebu and the Farmers’ Development Center which had products made by women’s groups and farmers’ groups.
The fiesta was a successful event that showcased the various forms of wellness and healing. The center will serve as a venue where services of total wellness and well-being will be held and where groups can hold their own activities on wellness in the future.
