A FRATERNITY EXCHANGE:
 SACRED HEART SCHOOL-HIJAS DE JESÚS-CEBU CITY (PHILIPPINES)
& SHOTOKU GAKUIN HIGH SCHOOL-MATSUE (JAPAN)
by Mrs. Melissa Kuo

We had very special guests last January 14-18, 2010.  Twenty-nine students from Shotoku Gakuin High School, our sister school in Matsue, Japan arrived to visit Sacred Heart School – Hijas de Jesus as part of their “Peace and Cultural Study Tour to the Philippines.”  The students were graciously accompanied by their two assistant principals Ms. Miyuki Mochida and Mr. Yuji Ohyama, and their English teacher Ms. Miho Watanabe.

After being met at the airport at around 4:30 in the afternoon by our very own Mrs. Minerva Roiles, Mrs. Ellen Balicoco, and Mrs. Grace Go, the entourage arrived the SHS campus at 6:00 p.m. and was introduced to their host families.  The following day started off with a school tour for the visitors, and the Shotoku Gakuin students joined their host sisters in their respective classrooms. Then, interaction activities for bonding among the Student Council Officers, host sisters and visitors followed at the Roof Deck – 1, after which the guests had a taste of some Filipino delicacies.
 
At 11:00 a.m. the SHS-Shotoku-Cultural Encounter took place in the auditorium.  Indeed, it was a colorful and fun-filled cultural exchange, as the happy and carefree disposition of Filipinos were  depicted by selected Grade 5 pupils who rendered a Filipino Folk dance – Tiklos, the High School Choir sang a light-hearted medley, and the High School Dance Club performed the very popular Sinulog to show their fervent devotion to the Sto. Niño. On the other hand, our guests also gave us a glimpse of Shotoku Gakuin School Life through a powerpoint presentation; moreover, they performed an upbeat and fast-paced dance number which seemed to reflect the modern Japanese young generation.  After the symbolic exchange of gifts between our RCA, Sr. Rebecca Loreto, F.I. and asst. principal Mr. Yuji Ohyama, the event was closed with messages of thanks from a Shotoku Gakuin student Akira Aoyama and our Student Council President Rissa Julene Go.  But the day was far from over for our guests as shortly after lunch break, they proceeded to visit the Mother Teresa Orphanage and then had a short city tour.

The following day was a more relaxing Saturday spent either swimming or sightseeing with the host families, and in the afternoon, some of the guests joined the procession in honor of the Sto. Niño.  Sunday was surely the most exciting and colorful part of their whole trip to Cebu City as they witnessed the Sinulog Festival. Monday, January 18th was amazingly departure day already! This time, for Ilo-ilo! I am sure everyone was a bit dazed at the full schedule and nonstop activities, and felt the three days just simply flew by. Nonetheless, the short time spent together was a meaningful experience for all, especially for our Japanese guests as they learned about the Filipino-Chinese way of life here in the Philippines. Furthermore, this was another opportunity to concretize our sense of family and fraternity as inspired by our dear Mother Foundress Cándida María de Jesús.

We sincerely thank all the host families (from 2nd – 4th year students) as well as the Hijas de Jesús Sisters for opening their hearts and homes to our Japanese friends, and graciously showing them the distinct mark of Filipino warmth and hospitality. 

 

SACRED HEART SCHOOL-HIJAS DE JESÚS & SHOTOKU GAKUIN HIGH SCHOOL
Students Having Fun!