The Participants of the Casa Miani Foundation Seminar 2009

Bro. Taz, CRS Bro. Roland, CRS and Bro. Roel, CRS

Every year the Casa Miani Foundation in the Philippines is conducting an bi-annual Seminar for the Staff and Lay Coordinators of our 5 branch Houses for Needy Youth and the Oprhans. Some of the goals of the seminar is to keep our administrators well equipped in handling children, their cases and situations and to make them more understanding of their behaviors. It is also an opportunity for our staff and lay coordinators to share their knowledge and experience with the children so that they can empower and enrich each other.

Registration Area

The topics vary every Seminar. When I was still assigned in the Orphanage we were given seminars on legal matters involving Children's rights and the legal penalties to be imposed in case of physical or sexual violations and others. The seminar talks are also being reflected upon in the light of the Charism of St. Jerome of taking care of the Needy Children.

Fr. Luigi Brenna, CRS and the social worker of Casa Miani Sorsogon, Mrs. Criselda 'Bimbee' Despi Goingo

This time, however, the topic is Psychoeducation: Engagement of the Child in the Healing Approaches. The following topics and activities were discussed and implemented:

1. Primer on Psychoeducation by Ms. Susan Bobadilla, Masters in Education, Ph.D. [cand.]

2. The Psycoeducator: Roles and Expectations by Ms. Susan Bobadilla

3. Processing and Open Forum

Some of the Representatives from Casa Miani Alabang

4. Collaborative Assessment in Psychoeducationi by Mr. Sipronio Belardo, Masters in Psychology

5. Processing and Open Forum

Fr. John Cariño, CRS the superior of Lubao, Seminary with Bro. Eugene Libut, CRS [standing] and some ladies from Casa Miani in Lubao, Pampanga

7. Overview of Healing Narrative: Common Therapeutic Modalities by Ms. Maja Francisco, Masters in Psycology

8. Workshop on Therapeutic Metaphor by Ms. Hilvy Asejo, Masters in Education, Ph. D. [cand.]

Bro. Ronald Badillo, CRS signing in the Registration Area

9. Workshop on Bibliotherapy for Children by Ms. Jose Cardiño, Masters in Psychology

10. Processing and Open Forum

Fr. Lino Juta, CRS with some delegates

11. Overview of Common Art Therapy for Children by Ms. Maja Francisco, Masters in Psychology

12. Workshop on Expressive Arts Therapy by Ms. Maja Francisco

13. Workshop on Dramatic Arts Therapy by Ms. Maja Francisco

Bro. Roland, CRS enjoying the rocking chair while waiting for the talks to start

The Seminar is held this time in Casa Miani Sorsogon from May 20-22, 2009.

Fr. Rommel Ermita, CRS the Head of Casa Miani in Alabang together with some of his staff and lay coordinators

Mrs. Bimbee Despi with some of the fellow Social Workers in Sorsogon

Sis. Cecilia Servidad of the Somascan Missionary Sisters [left] with Sis. Juliet [right] with those manning the registration area.

Fr. Santiago 'Santy' Gonzales, CRS one of the administrators of Casa Miani in Lubao, Pampanga.

Fr. Santy and Fr. John Cariño, CRS

Our young volunteer catechists and youth leaders from Tagaytay City Bro. Eugene Libut, CRS with the staff of St. Jerome Emiliani School in Roosevelt, Bataan

The Roosevelt group again now with Fr. John Valenzuela, CRS one of the administrators of Casa Miani Sorsogon but is about to transfer to Casa Miani in Dumaguete City.

Mrs. Lee [far right], one of Aemilianum College teachers and two other delegates

Fr. Michael Escoto, CRS, [far left], Bro. Erwin Manalang, CRS [far right] and Bro. Ruben Galang, CRS [third from left] with the young Somascan Religious.