SEAMEO Teacher Exchange Program participants visit DOT-6 office, explores Panay Island

TEN participants of the Southeast Asia Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Teacher Exchange Program hosted by the Capiz State University paid a courtesy visit to the Department of Tourism Region 6 office on January 31, 2019.

The participants composed of seven Indonesians and three Thais are having their pre-service teaching experience in different public schools in Province of Capiz.

Supervising Tourism Operations Officer and Head Executive Assistant Atty. Sedfrey Cabaluna welcomed the participants on behalf of DOT VI Regional Director Atty. Helen J. Catalbas.

“SEAMEO Teacher Exchange Program is a good avenue for cultural and best practices exchange. Foreign participants will be immersed in our educational system, while Filipino teachers who are participants of the program are also exposed to the kind of teaching methods and practices in other countries. DOT Region VI recognizes the importance of foreign exchange programs in the ASEAN Region because it is vital that we maximize the potential of our interrelatedness,” Atty. Cabaluna said.

Pamela Geraldine Joris Winerungan, an Indonesian SEAMEO participant, said, “We are having a nice stay here and it feels like home.”

Melissa Yunita said, “The students here are really active and very similar to Indonesia.”

On the same day also, participants had a running tour of Iloilo City with stops at Jaro Cathedral and Museo Iloilo.

Dr. Doreen Demalata-Ata-al of Capiz State University said that SEAMEO participants experienced the Ati-atihan Festival in Aklan and the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City. She added that participants enjoyed the festivals and cannot forget the chant “Hala Bira.”

The ten participants stayed until the first week of February before returning to their home countries. (MDO)