19/08/2025
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When the sky weeps and the day grows dim, our instinct is to retreat and cocoon beneath our warm blankets. But on August 19, the soft yet steady downpour became no barrier for the CAN Japanese Exchange students to step beyond the weather and discover more of Holy Cross College of Calinanβs welcoming grounds.
As the clock struck eight, a vehicle carrying the Japanese exchange visitors rolled onto the premises of Holy Cross College of Calinan. With eager hearts and graceful smiles, they began their second day on campusβone made more memorable by the activities carefully prepared by the organizers. The day commenced at the Basic Education Library, where the visitors immersed themselves in an extraordinary art class with Mr. Ricardo Obenza. More than just a lesson in artistry, it became a session of insight and reflection. Guiding them to view art through the lens of nature, Mr. Obenza stressed that true art is not limited to what the eyes can see, but to the deeper essence one feels.
From tracing the simplest circular forms to painting vivid landscapes of life, the masterclass offered not only skills but also wisdom. Alongside their Holy Crossian buddies, each student was given a set of painting materials, encouraging them to freely pour out their imagination. Plants and sceneries soon emerged on canvas, highlighting their shared connection with the environment. To cap the session, their works were proudly displayed in an exhibitionβan affirmation that every stroke carried both cultural exchange and personal expression.
At midday, the foreign students, their chaperones, and their HCCC buddies gathered in the school canteen for a shared synodal meal. What could have been an ordinary lunch became a table of fellowship, where stories flowed as freely as laughter and bonds deepened with every bite. Plates of steaming Chicken Adobo and Pancit sa Bilao were passed around, their rich flavors carrying with them the warmth of Filipino hospitality. In that simple act of eating together, stomachs were satisfied, cultures intertwined, and friendships quietly took root.
In the afternoon, the Japanese exchange students immersed themselves in the daily rhythm of HCCC. Assigned to different classrooms, each became part of the schoolβs vibrant learning dynamic. Within those four walls, they introduced the delicate art of origamiβJapanβs centuries-old tradition of paper folding that breathes life into simple sheets, transforming them into graceful figures that almost seem to move. βI really appreciate how she (Ichika) taught us with so much patience. She ensured that we can still follow her instructions by delicately explaining the steps in a way we can all understand,β shared Jamaica Ho, a Grade 9 student who eagerly took part in the origami-making session.
Adding to a day already rich with art and craftsmanship, the Japanese exchange students were treated to another cultural gemβTiklos, a traditional Philippine folk dance taught by MAPEH teacher, Mr. Harley Ken Dublico. Rooted in the communal efforts of Filipino farmers, Tiklos embodies the spirit of unity and cooperation, a virtue that resonates with both Filipino and Japanese culture. βTeaching them did not feel difficult at all. Honestly, I was astounded by how quickly they understood my instructionsβit felt as though no language barrier existed between us,β Mr. Dublico shared with a smile.
As the sun dipped behind the rain-kissed horizon, the day drew to a close with hearts fuller and bonds stronger. What began with brushes and colors blossomed into shared laughter, folded papers, and graceful stepsβthreads of culture woven together in a patchwork of friendship. Though the rain poured, it could not dampen the light of connection that shone brightly within the halls of HCCC, leaving both visitors and hosts with memories that will ripple far beyond this fleeting day.
|| via Angel Tocmo, The Sentinel News
Photojournalists: Isabel Castillo, Clark Domingo, and Renz Galanida
